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Monster? No, I'm a Cultivator! (Percy Jackson): Chapter 40
🕑 Added 2025-07-03 08:45:08 +0000 UTCChiron had a frown on his face as he overlooked the fields of the camp.
It had been quite a few days since the…notice board had appeared in camp and startled everyone. Now, though, it had become a sort of… normalcy. In a world of gods and monsters, it was a small detour when it came to strangeness.
The campers were nothing if not adaptable.
Unfortunately, he felt like he didn’t have that same mindset.
These past few weeks had been…challenging. More challenging than he could recall in the past several decades. He wouldn’t quite call it the same level as when the big war was happening, but it was getting close.
So far, four teams have left camp. Four teams of five demigods.
Apollo managed to force out some semblance of a prophecy. Well, more like a general idea of what to do.
Chiron heard the rumors that Hera was being…aggressive in her demands of him, and he put all of his effort into forcing something out to placate her.
‘Journey west to find what was stolen.’
That was all that had to go by.
But it seemed enough, for now.
Prophecies had a way of fulfilling themselves. By sending a bunch of groups out west, inevitably it would be completed…at least that was the thought of many of the gods.
Chiron was wary of it, but his campers had a fire lit under them. Never before had the gods shown such enthusiasm towards them going on a quest. Never before had the gods opened the proverbial doors and told them to get going en masse like this.
Many of them were treating it as a competition, seeing who could reach the west coast first.
He couldn't blame them; they were essentially raised and trained for this. For many of them, it was like they were finally handed their purpose, a path for recognition from their godly parents. And the promises of riches and rewards certainly didn’t help.
Despite a good percentage of his campers being gone, the camp was still as rowdy and loud as normal.
Part of that was the fervor that everyone was training with.
The other part was…well, the additions they had just received.
Chiron was given the background of the new campers that were dumped into his lap. The dozen or so children of various ages that had abruptly just been dropped here.
He knew the legends of the Lotus Eaters; it was a cautionary tale in one of the most famous stories in the world. What he didn’t know was that they had a casino in Las Vegas that they used to trap demigods in and had a separate flow of time.
So now there were a dozen demigods from different points in the last hundred or so years that he now had to mentor.
That and they were lined up in perfect synch in the middle of the training fields, swinging their swords, screaming about a ‘Celestial Sword’ or something.
He was confused about that part.
Therefore, Chiron had a brilliant idea.
A couple of days ago, he had put his own request up on the board. If a certain person was responsible for them abruptly reappearing in the world, then a certain person could also help with……
Was training the right word?
Handling.
With handling them.
Apparently, it was accepted.
So he had been waiting.
“Hey, Chiron.” Lord Hermes came flying down, landing next to him. “Got new marching orders for you from Pops.” He said, handing me a letter. “They want another two teams heading out by the end of the week.”
He felt his eye twitch. “We’re getting low on children old enough to go on quests.”
Hermes shrugged helplessly. “You’re welcome to tell Pops what you think. But I don’t think you should worry; he’s mostly doing this to placate Mom. I don’t think he’s going to force the really young kids to go running across the country.”
He could only hope.
“Did you come to check on your son?” Chiron asked.
Hermes seemed to just stare blankly for a moment. “Nah, he’s doing fine, right? Pan is old enough to take care of himself; he doesn’t need me to baby him.”
“...if that’s what you desire.” Chiron said helplessly. What was he supposed to do, tell one of the Olympians to go check in with his godly child? Hermes was fully aware that Pan was basically hanging on by a thread, but he didn’t seem to put much emphasis on it. “He’s being taken care of by the council of satyrs right now, if you want to stop by.”
Hermes just nodded absentmindedly.
Chiron smiled awkwardly; it was already the best he could do in this situation.
“Hmm, someone’s coming.” Hermes tilted his head up towards the sky.
Normally I would be alarmed, but with both the barrier in place and Harmes being casual about it, I was more interested than worried.
Was that…a cloud?
There was someone riding a cloud.
“Who –” Chiron was about to ask, but he was interrupted as a voice carried over the area.
“My furnace once burned beneath Crete’s stone skin.
Sages seek enlightenment in stars—
I built a staircase instead.
The winds may forget my name,
But my gears will outlast time.
I am Daedalus.
My Dao is design.”
The ancient demigod leapt off the cloud, landing gracefully in front of everyone. The entire field had stopped what they were doing to stare.
Even Hermes stared at him strangely.
“.....nice poem.” Hermes started to float away. “Seems like you’re busy with something. I’ll see you later, Chiron.” The god of travels abruptly disappeared. Perhaps even he felt the secondhand embarrassment.
Chiron looked at the departing god, then back at Daedalus.
“.....It’s been a while.”
“Hello, Chiron.” Daedalus greeted him for the first time in centuries.
“I didn’t know you were still alive.” The centaur admitted.
“I hid in the Labyrinth for a long time.”
Chiron nodded, knowing that made a lot of sense. “....Why –”
“Please don’t ask.” Daedalus cut him off, knowing he was going to ask about his ‘introduction.’ “It’s part of my…job.”
That is to say, Ocean Song told them all that it’s mandatory for them to all have a proper poem ready when they introduce themselves. He cited it as something ‘real cultivators’ do, and thus they must do it as well.
Chiron just nodded awkwardly.
“.....”
“.....”
“I had to, alright?” Daedalus leaned it. “It’s watching, I know it is.” He whispered.
“...okay.” Chiron responded hesitantly before clearing his throat. “It’s good to see you, Daedalus.”
The weird atmosphere eased slightly, and Daedalus found himself smiling back. “It’s good to see you too, Chiron.”
Despite the fact that Daedalus had been…exiled, for lack of a better word. Chiron was genuinely happy to see him alive and doing well. Chiron hadn’t taught him for many years as a child, more a passerby in the old demigod’s life, but it didn’t matter much. The faces from long ago were few and far between.
“Have you been well?” Chiron asked.
“About as well as I could be.” Daedalus admitted, pointing to himself. “Considering.”
Chiron gave him a once-over, noting the strange-looking robes he now wore. “How exactly did you…?”
“End up in this spot?”
“Sure, let’s go with that.”
Daedalus sighed. “I lost a bet to a stupid Cyclops.”
Chiron nodded, not asking for further details. That about answered all the questions he had at this point in time about his situation. “I hope you at least aren’t miserable.”
“Admittedly, there are certain…benefits.” Daedalus grunted, forcing himself to even admit that much. “However, I feel I lose part of my sanity every day.”
Chiron gently put a hand on his old acquaintance's shoulder.
“That being said.” Daedalus pulled a bundle of papers out of his robes. “I need you to sign the paperwork before I get started. I just need you to acknowledge that I arrived and that I will begin working as outlined in the request you submitted.”
“Oh….alright.” Chiron accepted them, somewhat happy that this was…less strange than he had feared.
Paperwork was something he was familiar with and could handle.
“Thank you.” Daedalus accepted the papers back.
“I should warn you, these children aren’t what you would probably expect. I know you have some experience teaching, but—“ Chiron paused. “Perhaps you should take a few moments to watch them first to get a better idea of what you’re working with.”
Daedalus took one glance at the strangest batch of demigods he’d ever worked with and let out a long sigh. “No need, I’m prepared already.”
“What do you—”
Daedalus pulled out his sword and shouted. “With a Celestial Sword, I can go to the heavens and enter the netherworld!”
Chiron, startled, took a step back.
To his utter confusion, the children looked his way, raised their swords, and shouted back in unison. “I’m in control of my destiny, not fate!”
Chiron took one look at it and then turned to walk away.
“I don’t even know what’s going on anymore.” He muttered to himself, shaking his head. He suddenly felt like an old man who couldn’t understand the new hip trends amongst the kids.
“Hey, Teach!”
Chiron perked up, seeing Percy running at him, smiling warmly. “Percy, what can I do for you?”
“Is it okay if I make a team to head out? I heard that we just have to run it by you.”
Chiron’s smile faltered slightly. “You’re still relatively new here, Percy. Are you sure you’re prepared to go on your own quest?”
Truthfully, he couldn’t stop them in this case. Orders from high up: if they wanted to go, they could go. So Chiron was choosing his words carefully in an attempt to make them self-doubt, or at least make a more rational decision.
“Yeah, I think I’m ready.”
Chiron sighed in his heart. “You need at least a group of five.” That was the only concession he got out of the gods. That each group needed at least five to increase their chances of survival.
It was hard for them to argue with that.
“Yeah, I got me, Malcolm, Grover….” Percy furrowed his brow. “Can’t we just go with us three?”
“Sorry, Percy, those are the rules.” Chiron shook his head.
Percy grumbled. “I guess I could find two more. Malcolm says he has a sister that’s pretty smart…. Do you know anyone else, Mr. Branner?”
“You don’t have to call me by that name, Percy.” Chiron still smiled warmly at him. “However, I do have a suggestion. I believe that Luke Castellan hasn’t left yet.”
Percy scrunched his nose. “The Harpy guy?”
Chiron’s eye twitched. “Percy, it’s not good to judge people based on rumors.”
“He woke up naked with a harpy.” Percy countered.
“...don’t judge people too harshly, Percy.” Chiron found it hard to defend Luke in this instance. “Regardless, he’s the head of the Hermes Cabin and one of the best in camp when it comes to combat. And his skills as a thief are second to none among his siblings.”
“Alright, I guess I’ll go ask. Thanks, teach!” Percy cheerfully waved goodbye and ran off.
Chiron shook his head one last time.
He just hoped all the kids would come back safely.
@***@
Ocean Song clasped his hands behind his back.
The majority of the sect were off on their own ‘missions.’
That is to say, Ocean Song had forced them into manual labor to earn money for the sect. Like a proper cultivator, he turned to questionable labor practices at the expense of those under him to turn a profit.
“Fellow Daoist, how have you enjoyed your time here thus far?” Ocean Song walked into the back rooms of the sect’s main hall.
The newest ‘member’ of their sect, Mel, was currently in the kitchen.
She perked up on his arrival. “Oh, it’s been fun.” She smiled politely. “Your pet has been teaching me how to cook.”
“Bawhooo.” Nessie nodded its big head, standing behind Mel, apparently giving her pointers.
A great many questions would perhaps be asked by anyone else. However, Ocean Song was a cultivator; thus, he didn’t see anything wrong with what was going on.
“I hope the sect has been to your liking.”
Mel smiled again. “It’s been a nice vacation. The hot springs have been lovely, and the mountain setting has been very peaceful. Thank you for letting me come; I didn’t realize how much I needed to get away for a bit.”
Ocean Song nodded. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. The doors to the sect are always open to you, fellow Daoist!”
He didn’t actually expect her to become a sect member. But if a friendly god just happened to be around if things went wrong, well, isn’t that just good fortune?
Ocean Song pondered if he should open the sect as a mountain resort for gods that need a vacation. It would almost assuredly provide a safety net in case of something bad happening.
“This one merely stopped by to tell you that I will be heading out for a period. If you require assistance, please ask anyone—including the Great Void Sect Protecting Divine Beast—for help.” He stated.
“It’s fine, I don’t need someone catering to my every whim.” She waved it off.
Ocean Song nodded before stepping out.
As soon as he headed outside, he threw his sword out and stepped onto it, shooting off into the sky.
As a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, he was magnitudes faster than when at Core Formation. Fast enough that in a tenth of the time previously, he had already arrived at the entrance to the underworld.
He didn’t even need to show his token as he entered!
The guards, the employees of his revered uncle, just waved him past the lines of souls that were waiting to enter the afterlife.
Truly, he has been given much face.
He continued to soar through the underworld until he found what he was looking for. He touched down onto the ground, putting his sword away.
He took out a mirror, making sure his hair wasn’t messy and his clothing was well kept.
Taking a deep breath, he walked up to the door of the house and knocked on it.
He smiled as it opened, the goddess Hecate standing at the threshold. “Ahem, I was…in the neighborhood, and I perhaps thought it would not be impolite to come visit?”
Hecate raised an eyebrow, her expression not changing.
Silently, she stepped to the side, gesturing for him to enter.
“Great Goddess –”
“Hmm?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Um…Hecate.”
She nodded in approval.
“Hecate.” Ocean Song cleared his throat again. “I have been practicing the Dao of Talismans, and I have made some progress. I wish for you to review it, if you’re willing.” Ocean Song held out one talisman in particular.
“You’ve been practicing your magic?” Her interest was immediately piqued. She wasn’t a goddess of magic for no reason.
“Yes, this talisman is what I’ve been working hard on for the past few days. Please.” He gestured for her to use it.
Hecate could analyze it by sight alone, but seeing as he wanted her to use it, she was willing to abide.
It didn’t take much effort on her end to activate it at all, as the mechanism was rather simple.
The talisman lit up and then burst into flames, something else appearing in her hands.
It was a bouquet of flowers that replaced the Talisman. Though, Instead of being an actual bundle of flowers, each piece of it was made of magic.
She held the magical bouquet of flowers and looked at the Cyclops smiling at her, looking very proud of himself.
To her own dismay, she realized she found herself blushing a little.
@***@
A/N
One particular trope is that some famous Immortals will introduce themselves with a poem when they arrive in certain scenarios. Ocean Song decided that they were going to do that too from now on.
Comments
Southmonk
Btw that immortal introduction thing is extremely old-school lol I think? Maybe from 20 years ago? I'm gonna ask my xianxia watching friends if they still do the same in shows now.
LuciferDFallN1
Did Hermes called Her a mom or am I tripping?
