Reincarnated Monkey King

Sun Wukong stepped out of the alley and into a new world.

Towering stone buildings stretched into the sky, their walls etched with glowing runes. Floating lanterns drifted lazily through the streets, their golden light casting an otherworldly glow. People bustled about in strange robes, their hands weaving glowing symbols in the air.

Magic.

Everywhere.

His keen eyes scanned the crowd. Most of the people had mana-infused trinkets—rings, necklaces, staffs—while some carried swords crackling with power. He even spotted a nobleman floating three inches off the ground, as if gravity itself had given him special treatment.

Wukong grunted. So this world runs on magic, huh?

That explained the reaction of those thugs. If his body was that of a "commoner," then using magic must have been unheard of for someone like him.

Good. That means I'm special.

But first…

His stomach growled.

Damn it. Do gods even get hungry?

The answer was apparently yes, because right now, he felt like he hadn't eaten in days.

Wukong sighed and started walking. He needed information—and more importantly, food.

---

The Smell of Trouble

The market district was a riot of smells and sounds. Vendors shouted their wares—grilled meat skewers, steaming bread, roasted beast legs he couldn't name. He caught a whiff of something sweet and almost drooled.

Alright. Step one: acquire food.

He reached for his nonexistent pockets.

Step two: realize I have no money.

"…Damn it, Buddha."

As Wukong scanned the street, looking for an opportunity, he overheard an argument.

"You expect me to pay three silver for that?!"

A short, scruffy-haired boy, no older than ten, glared at a vendor who held up a roasted bird on a stick.

"The price went up. Take it or leave it, brat."

The boy clenched his fists. "You're just raising the price 'cause you know we're starving!"

The vendor sneered. "Not my problem."

Wukong watched with interest. The boy reminded him of himself—scrappy, defiant, unwilling to bow to authority.

Then, the boy snatched the skewer and ran.

The vendor roared in fury. "Thief!"

A city guard immediately grabbed the boy by the collar.

Well, that didn't last long.

The boy kicked and struggled. "Let me go, you bastard!"

Wukong sighed. Alright, kid. You're lucky I'm in a good mood.

With casual ease, he strolled forward. "Oi, oi. No need for all that."

The guard turned, frowning. "Who the hell are you?"

Wukong smirked. "Just a humble guy who thinks that's a ridiculous price for a single bird."

The vendor crossed his arms. "That doesn't change the fact that he stole it."

Wukong stretched lazily. "How about this? You let the kid go, and I make it worth your while."

The vendor snorted. "And how are you gonna do that, beggar?"

Wukong grinned. Perfect.

He casually reached toward the nearest fruit stand, grabbed an apple, and tossed it into the air.

Then—before anyone could blink—he moved.

His hand blurred, striking out four times in an instant. The apple exploded into perfectly even slices, each piece landing neatly back in the vendor's basket.

A hush fell over the crowd.

The guard's eyes widened. The vendor gulped. Even the scruffy-haired boy looked at him like he was some kind of monster.

Wukong cracked his knuckles. "So? What do you say? Fair trade?"

The vendor hesitated… then quickly nodded. "S-Sure! Take the kid and go!"

Wukong clapped the boy on the back. "See? Easy."

The boy rubbed his neck, staring at him in awe. "Who are you?"

Wukong grinned.

"Just a monkey looking for a tree."

---

To Be Continued…