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Monster? No, I'm a Cultivator! (Percy Jackson): Chapter 48
🕑 Added 2025-08-29 07:06:35 +0000 UTCOcean Song held Lyra’s hand as he walked alongside his new Sphinx friend.
The building had the big logo that Ocean Song recognized from his past life. In fact, it looked almost exactly how he would have imagined it.
A big warehouse, connected to a bunch of office-like buildings.
A large courtyard, many benches, a few fountains—very simple and modern.
Truly, Ocean Song noted, they mastered the art of hiding in plain sight.
To build a sect in the mortal world, he recognized their prowess.
However, the 6+ foot tall women made of muscles carrying swords did throw off the ‘mortal’ aesthetic a little bit.
However, they weren’t stopped, even as the beautiful muscular women eyed them suspiciously. With a purpose, they marched right through the front doors and to the Amazon lady working the front desk.
Dressed like a secretary, she too had a sword at her side.
Ocean Song saw nothing wrong with this; in fact, he praised them in his heart. Truly, their hearts carried the sword Dao if they kept one close even during work like this!
The Amazon barely looked up from her computer as their motley crew walked in.
“Hey, I have an appointment.” The Sphinx casually spoke, putting his elbow on the desk, like he had done this plenty of times before.
“The queen will be with you shortly; please have a seat.” She gestured to the various chairs set up in the lobby.
He just nodded; being too large for one of the chairs, he casually sat down in the open area.
Lyra and Ocean Song, however, were more captivated by something happening through one of the side windows. This specific window looked out into the warehouse portion of the building.
They could see the various operations, boxes, and crates stacked up as far as the eye could see. Amazons and regular humans working together to move everything.
However, most peculiar was the fact that not everything there was mundane.
The most obvious thing was the literal cages of monsters stacked and sorted to the side. Oddly, it wasn’t just the Amazons handling them; he could see some regular humans come along with forklifts or other machines and move the monsters to various places.
There were also boxes marked with the symbols of gods. Various items of magical and mystical properties seemed to be also moved around within the confines of this building.
Ocean Song envied the scale of their operations and could only look on in awe.
“Fellow Daoist.” He turned to look at the Sphinx. “ I — “ He paused. “I never asked your name.” He realized before he could ask the actual question he wanted.
The Sphinx tilted its head. “My name is ancient and bestowed by my mother from the ancient traditions. There are no characters in your language that can convey it, so you can just use my Western name.”
Ocean Song's eyes widened; it sounded like his name has a lot of weight! As expected of an ancient and honorable species such as the Egyptian Sphinx clan!
“You can call me Craig.”
“...oh.”
“Why do you sound disappointed?”
“...no reason.” Ocean Song pouted. “What should this one expect from the queen mentioned?”
“Have you ever seen Harry Potter?” He asked.
“Yes?” Ocean Song tilted his head.
“I love Harry Potter!” Lyra blurted out happily.
Ocean Song smiled and patted her head.
“Imagine Delores Umbridge except…less pink and more muscles. And a harem of not-so-consensual men.”
Ocean Song found that particular description rather…ominous.
“Sphinx, the queen will be seeing you now.” The secretary spoke up, not even bothering to address him by name or anything polite.
Craig, the Sphinx stood up and barely batted an eye at the impoliteness. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”
@***@
They were led through the hallways of the office building portion, passing quite a few figures, not all of them even Amazon or human.
Ocean Song wondered if he should call it progressive that there were monsters wearing suits and doing office work.
But they also had collars and chains, so he withheld his opinion for now.
The secretary knocked on the door that had the big C.E.O. letters carved into it, letting everyone know who it belonged to.
She didn’t wait for a response as she opened it up and led them inside.
Now, Ocean Song understood what Craig meant by muscles.
If Amazons were already large and muscular, she was like a bodybuilder in comparison.
In fact, Ocean Song was fairly sure that her arms were bigger than his thighs.
She sat at a desk with her back to several large windows that overlooked the warehouse below, as if to keep an eye on the workers.
“Oh, you must be one of those Sphinxes from that quaint little gas station out of town.” The queen spoke up, and her fake politeness and fake sincerity were palpable.
“Yes? This is the third time we’ve met.” Craig said dryly.
“Oh, I’m so sorry; you all just look the same to me. I couldn’t tell.” She put a hand over her chest. “And who’s this?” She looked at Ocean Song and Lyra.
“Greetings, Great Amazon Queen.” Ocean Song began quickly. “This lowly Cyclops is Ocean Song, child of Poseidon. I have long heard the revered name of the Amazon Sect and wished to accompany my friend to pay respects to such a vaunted figure. This one also is the Sect Master of my own little corner, and I perhaps wished to seek advice on how to expand and operate with such prestige and skill as you have.”
Craig turned to look at him strangely, and even the Amazonian queen sort of just blinked a few times, processing what he had to say.
“And this is Lyra, daughter of Hecate, my ward.” Ocean Song added with a smile.
Lyra gave a little wave from behind him.
The queen fixed her posture, regaining her earlier air of authority. “I am Queen Hypsileia.”
Ocean Song Clasped his hands and bowed. “Greetings, Queen Hypsileia, head of the Amazon Sect.”
“...right.” The Sphinx continued. “Anyways, my mother should have sent a letter…?”
“Hmm hmm.” The queen tapped her cheek. “Oh yes, I received some scribbled parchment. Something about some distributors backing out of contracts or something?”
“Several of our distributors went out of business suddenly.” The Sphinx’s lips thinned.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, and what would you like me to do about it?” She held that fake sympathetic smile that contrasted oddly with her stature.
“...we were wondering what happened, because they all said the same thing. They said that you all shut them down…?”
“Oh yes, now I remember.” She gracefully interlocked her fingers, putting her elbows on her desk. “They broke some rules, unfortunately.”
“What rules?”
“The rule is that we don’t allow any competition.” She gave her faux smile again.
“That’s—”
“Makes sense.” Ocean Song nodded.
The Sphinx’s jaw snapped shut, and it shot Ocean Song a strange look. Even the queen was surprised by his response, clearly expecting something else.
“As the dominant sect in the area, it’s proper for all the lesser sects to either bow their heads or enter under your umbrella.” Ocean Song explained.
It was just obvious!
“I’m sorry, what…are you here for exactly?” The queen looked at him again, now utterly confused about his presence, even more than before.
“This lowly Cyclops would merely like to request the wisdom of the Great Queen of Amazon! This one’s small sect can’t compare to your vaunted organization, and I wouldn’t be against advice.” He smiled.
She sort of registered his words properly this time.
“I feel like I’ve heard your name somewhere….”
“Ahem.” The Sphinx cleared its throat. “Perhaps we could reach an agreement?”
“Yes, yes, I know what you want.” She made a dismissive hand motion before rummaging through her drawers. “Here are the new contracts if you want to resume those channels under our control.” She slid the paper across the table.
The Sphinx picked it up, looked it over, and his face slowly changed. “This is ridiculous! This is more than ten times the price we were paying before!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry you don’t like the terms. I hope you find what you’re looking for by taking your business elsewhere. Oh…wait, it seems that there are no other competitors in the surrounding states.”
The Sphinx looked at Ocean Song. “Are you taking notes?”
“Yes.” Ocean Song nodded, having taken out a notepad and a pen. “Lyra, pay attention; this is how a sect leader handles business matters.”
“Okay, Mr. Ocean.” Lyra followed his lead despite having no idea what was happening.
“...fine, I’ll take this to my mother.” The Sphinx grumbled, grabbing the papers off the desk.
“Wonderful!” The Queen smiled ‘politely’ again. “Now, how can I help you?” She gave Ocean Song an up-and-down look.
Ocean Song pinged something strange in her look but pushed that to the side.
“This one would like to request your wisdom if you have time, great queen. As I said, I run a humble sect with only a handful of members. I wish to compare notes and see where I can improve.”
The queen, while confused by his choice of words, somewhat understood what he was talking about.
“So, you want to know how to expand your company?” She leaned back. “The most important thing to establish is an end goal.”
“An End Goal?” Ocean Song rubbed his chin. “I believe I have one that qualifies, but may I hear the splendid goal of your great Amazon sect?”
“World Domination.” The queen stated without an ounce of hesitation.
“...what?” The Sphinx was the first to react.
“Did I stutter?” The queen looked at him.
“A worthy goal.” Ocean Song nodded.
“What?” The Sphinx looked at Ocean Song this time.
“Of course, it’s the goal of many great sects to cover the world with their hands to prove their Dao!” Ocean Song thought nothing strange of her goals.
“How…what, why?” The Sphinx was at a loss for words. “You run a shipping company!? How does that equate to world domination?”
“I fail to see the issue.” The queen responded.
“I agree; it seems pretty obvious.” Ocean Song nodded.
The Sphinx’s mouth hung open. “It makes no sense!”
Ocean Song and the Queen shared a look. “Would you like to handle this one, Great Queen, or would you like me to?”
“Oh, by all means.” She smiled a bit more genuinely towards him.
Ocean Song cleared his throat. “But by controlling the distribution of goods, you control commerce. Supply and demand becomes what you will it to be. Medicine, food, weapons—you decide who gets what. Thus, you can decide who lives and who dies, truly dominating the world.”
The Sphinx sat there speechless, wanting to say how ridiculous that is, but also, he realized, that it sounded…logical.
“...you understand.” The queen looked at Ocean Song with a newfound expression. “...you’re not just a handsome face, are you?”
Ocean Song preened at the praise.
Of course, as a Jade Beauty, being complimented on his looks should be a normal occurrence!
She leaned in, her smile no longer looking fake. “Tell me about your little startup.up”
“Oh, it’s just a small mountain sect with a handful of other members. I decided to choose quality over quantity! I’ve only just started instructing my members on learning their supporting professions to help pay for their cultivation resources. Unfortunately, our business ventures are limited to Camp Half-Blood.”
Like a jolt through the queen’s body, she jerked up straighter in her seat. “Come again?”
“Yes? About which part?’
“You said you have business with Camp Half-Blood?”
“That is correct.” Ocean Song nodded.
“How?” Her eyes widened. “I’ve been trying to penetrate that market for years, but I could never get a foot in the door!”
Ocean Song just shrugged. “I had someone put up a magical bulletin board where they could place commissions that we would receive at my sect.”
“.......”
The queen slowly and silently stood up, her face hardened. “I’ve decided then.”
“Decided what?” Ocean Song tilted his head.
“I’ll make you my 14th husband.” She said directly, as if there were no room for arguments.
“...pardon?”
“Well, I suppose I can dismiss numbers 1-4; they can’t seem to…handle things anymore.” She harumphed. “But I’m sure a handsome, strong man like you won’t have any problem there.”
Ocean Song felt another strange twinge go down his spine.
“I believe there is a misunderstanding here, Great Queen.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t destroy whatever small business you have going; you can keep running that cute thing. I just want your connections; maybe I can promote you to a manager role if you prove…committed.” She licked her lips a little, giving him another once-over.
Ocean Song cleared his throat. “Your forwardness is flattering, but I must decline. This one already has someone in my heart.”
“Oh, it’s not a problem.” She responded, and Ocean Song was about to say something, but she opened her drawer and pulled out a riding crop. “Several of my husbands said the same thing. But after a few days, they never brought it up again.”
Ocean Song was many things.
Most important right now was that he was a Jade beauty.
And as a Jade Beauty, he realized he was in danger.
Thus, he took the most proper course of action available to him.
@***@
“WHY DID I GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS!?” The Sphinx roared, barreling through a few Amazons who were blocking the way.
There was much shouting, chaos, arrows, and swords.
“Truly, their queen does not possess grace in rejection!” Ocean Song, carrying Lyra under his left arm, used his right to draw his sword and deflect several arrows.
“You yelled, ‘BEGONE, THOT,’ and kicked her out the window of her office!”
“I regret nothing!” Ocean Song returned.
“My mom is going to be pissed.” He whined.
“Then allow me to teach you the sacred and ancient rules of fighting within enemy territory!” He swung his sword upwards, the warehouse shook, and an overhead beam fell down, blocking the path of several Amazons that were charging at them. “Lyra, listen closely; I shall bestow upon you the wisdom of the ancients.”
He reached over and grabbed a box; he didn’t know what was in it, but he stuffed it into his storage pouch.
“Looting is acceptable if the owners are bad people.” He nodded to himself.
“Can I have that?” Lyra pointed at a box with a picture of a big purple bear on it, some type of doll or toy.
“Of course you can.” Ocean Song smiled, grabbing it and stuffing it into his bag along with everything else he could get his hands on.
The Sphinx froze in place, despite an arrow whizzing past his head. He then looked to the side; there was a crate full of boxes of the newest cell phones.
He lifted it up over his head and ran towards the exit.
There wasn’t much the Amazons could do in the chaos.
Their queen, she wobbled to her feet, rubbing her head after the abrupt ‘fall’ out her office window, a few stories down into the warehouse that it overlooked.
Light was coming in through some holes in the ceiling.
There were now parts of the warehouse on fire.
And she could see them quite literally stealing pallets of goods as they ran towards the exit.
“Get me all the information we have on them; I want everything!” She hissed to her subordinates, who quickly began to move on her orders.
@***@
The Amazon Queen sat back at her desk, glass scattered on her office floor.
She could hear the shouting and movements down below now that her full-sized back window was shattered.
She had several neat stacks of documents as she went over them. Pictures of Ocean Song, Lyra, and even the Sphinx.
She didn’t care much about the Sphinx, tossing those to the side. Despite her annoyance, she didn’t want to start a fight with their ancient ‘Mother’ when they weren’t actually enemies. That ancient sphinx wasn’t something to mess with lightly.
The documents about Ocean Song, all the sightings in the past days, the bus he rode in on, and the routes he was taking out of the city, his destinations, all of it.
Of course, she now knew who he was, but that didn’t dissuade her one bit.
She picked up her phone and dialed a very specific number.
It took a moment, but the person on the other end picked up.
“Daaadddy.” The queen immediately whined into the phone.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?” A gruff voice answered, and it was none other than Ares, the God of War.
“Some stupid man rejected me, then he attacked me and destroyed my business!” It was a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, but she knew how to get her father bent around her finger.
“What’s his name? Where is he? I’ll go teach him a lesson.”
“It’s that stupid Cyclops that’s been popular.”
“Oh, that one?” Ares sounded interested. “He dared to hurt my little girl? I’ll go beat him up; where’s he at, sweetheart?”
“He’s taking a bus west; his destination is New York. He just left my city.”
“Hmm, where were you again? Wait, I remember. He should be coming right to me then if he’s taking Route 50. I’m also waiting for one of barnacle brain’s other brats here, so this works out perfectly. Don’t worry, Daddy will teach him a lesson for you.”
She happily hung up the phone, and her ‘sweet’ one disappeared.
She let out a scoff and picked up the picture of Ocean Song.
Now, she just needed to find where his small little ‘business’ or whatever was located.
One way or another, she was going to get him under her.
@***@
A/N
Wrapping up the ‘arc’ that is the first PJO book.
Ocean Song discovers the dangers of being a Jade Beauty, but he manages to protect his chastity.
Comments
Codeninja676 (Brian)
Important distinction does she look like Book Umbridge or movie Umbridge? Because Imelda is kind of hot in a repressed mature lady kind of way.
The_Slave_Knight
Man this is hilarious. Tho, I kinda wish Ocean Song had gone all Young Master. "You dare Covert that which is Not Yours to Covert? It is clear you cannot see Mt Tai, and must be *Educated*" BOOM! Half the Building Explodes
