Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Percy woke up in the back of a police car, an empousa driving in the front.

Now that wasn’t how the quest was supposed to go.

He blinked against the headache pounding behind his eyes. The ceiling of the car was way too close, and his wrists were cuffed in front of him with a zip tie. He sat up slowly, the leather seat squeaking under him. Outside the window, the world passed by in a blur of city lights and rain. It was night. Great. Because things always went well for demigods at night.

In the front seat, the “officer” driving turned her head slightly, and Percy got a glimpse of her profile. Her cheek shimmered, not with highlighter, but with faint scales. And when the illusion faltered for half a second under the dim glow of a streetlamp, her eyes flashed a hungry, unnatural gold.

“Seriously?” Percy croaked. “You couldn’t have just turned into a bat and flown off with me like a normal monster?”

The empousa chuckled. Her voice was honey and knives. “Oh, but where’s the drama in that? You heroes are always so… theatrical. I thought I’d match the energy. I know my sister would appreciate it.”

She flicked the turn signal at the next intersection, nails tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel.

“You’re not taking me to the station, are you?” Percy asked, wariness creeping into his tone.

“Oh, please.” She glanced back at him with a smirk, one fang catching the light. “Do I look like I'm taking you to mortal jail?”

“No,” Percy muttered. “You look like someone who probably monologues before she eats people.”

She grinned wider. “Only the pretty ones.”

He slumped back in the seat with a groan. “I hate quests that start with me being kidnapped. Can we just skip to the part where I break out and kick your—”

“Language.”

Percy blinked. For a second, he thought he misheard. “What?”

“Language.”

Incredulous, Percy kicked the divider between them with a loud thud. “Are you— you, a monster who just kidnapped me off the streets, telling me to watch my language?”

The empousa didn’t even flinch. She adjusted the mirror with two perfectly manicured fingers, her golden eyes gleaming as she met his glare through the glass. “Just because I’m evil doesn’t mean I’m uncivilized,” she responded testily. “We can be classy and bloodthirsty.”

Percy let his head fall back against the seat. “Oh good. A monster with standards. I feel so much better.”

“You should,” she replied, flicking on the windshield wipers as rain began to pour harder. “I’m taking you somewhere special.”

“Is it the part where I heroically escape, beat you to a pulp, and ruin your evil plan?”

She smiled without looking at him. “You’re welcome to try.”

And as if to answer that dare, lightning struck.

One moment they were driving; the next, the world exploded in white.

The shockwave hit like a freight train. Static screamed in his ears as the car lifted off the ground— flipping sideways in a spray of sparks, metal, and monster shrieking.

When the vehicle finally slammed to a halt, Percy’s skull felt like someone had used it as a drum. He lay still for a second, groaning, as the scent of ozone filled the cabin.

“Di immortales, Zeus, I swear —” he nearly snarled, “Hit me one more time and we’re doing family therapy in Tartarus.” Rhetorically, he could only wonder how many more times in his life he was destined to get electrocuted. Once by accident, sure. (Though, he doesn't think it's ever been an accident) Twice was a pattern. But at this point? It was harassment.

Beside him, the empousa hissed and kicked open the bent door. Percy followed, snapping the zip tie like a bread twist as he crawled out onto the rain-slick pavement. 

They both stood there, soaked and blinking, staring at what had once been a street. Cars were mangled around them— some melted, others flipped. And overhead, a dome. A translucent, shimmering barrier, like a bubble made of lightning. It curved into the sky, vast and pulsing.

Then there was the… thing.

Floating above the wreckage was a creature covered in brownish-gray fur, with two tiny horns curling out from under its unbrushed mop of hair. It was wearing what looked like a toga if you bought it from the clearance bin at a Halloween store, and its feet didn’t quite touch the ground. Its proportions were all off; long arms, wide eyes, pointed ears twitching as it turned in the air.

It hovered, arms raised, [“Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?”] The creature called out, voice fuzzy and weirdly amplified, like it was talking through a speaker and a tin can at the time.

Around Percy, the crowd had thickened— people stumbling out of cracked windshields, calling to each other, shouting for help. But that wasn’t what made Percy pause.

It was what they were saying.

“괜찮아요?”
“이쪽으로 오세요!”
“누가 119 좀 불러봐!”
“엄마! 나 여기 있어!”

Percy’s brain lagged.

That wasn’t English.

That wasn’t even Greek.

Everyone— everyone — was speaking Korean. (Thank you, Wise Girl for the language lessons)

He slowly turned, scanning the chaos, the unfamiliar signs on the storefronts nearby, the foreign syllables he couldn’t even begin to read. His head throbbed harder with every shout.

“…I’m not in America anymore,” Percy felt the need to say.

The empousa squinted at him. “Good observation little godling. I can tell where all your training went.”

He ignored her. “I don’t even know Korean.”

“You weren’t exactly known for your smarts,” she muttered.

“Wrong demigod,” Percy shot back. “Why are we in Korea?”

For once, the empousa looked a little lost. “Well, we were in Kentucky about five minutes ago, so your guess is as good as mine.”

Before Percy could demand more answers (because last he checked, he was still in California), the static-heavy voice of the floating, fur-covered creature echoed through the dome:

[“Welcome. The scenario will begin shortly.”]

Percy blinked. “The what will begin?”

All around them, the air shifted. People screamed as a glowing blue text popped into existence above their heads.

[#BI-7843 channel is open.]
[The main scenario has arrived!]
[Main Scenario #1: Proof of Value]

[Category: Main

Difficulty: F

Clear Conditions: Kill one of more creatures

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Compensation: 800 coins

Failure: Death]

Percy frowned at the message that popped up in front of his face. “Okay, first of all, what? Second of all, I’m blaming Hera for this one.”

The empousa opened her mouth, probably to say something smug, dramatic, or both. 

Too late.

Shink.

Riptide was already in Percy’s hand. The celestial bronze blade shimmered in the glowing light of the scenario text, and a heartbeat later—

Thud.

The empousa’s head hit the ground. Her body crumpled after it.

Blue light flared above her corpse:

[You have achieved the “First Kill” achievement!]
[400 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

Percy blinked. “Huh. Neat.”

He didn’t even get a chance to sheath Riptide.

Someone screamed.

A woman stumbled backward, clutching a child. Another man dropped to his knees in front of the empousa’s body— her illusion was still intact to them, Percy realized belatedly— shouting something in Korean he didn’t understand but could guess the meaning of.

Dozens of panicked eyes turned toward him.

To them, he’d just pulled a gun out of his pocket and shot a police officer. Thank you Mist.

“Oh, come on,” Percy groaned. “She was a literal monster!”

The floating creature clapped its little fur-covered hands again, positively giddy.

[“What a promising start! Oh, we’re going to have fun with this one.”]

Before it disappeared.

Several people had backed away entirely. Some had pulled out their phones. A few looked like they were debating whether to run or try to tackle him.

“Wait— no, no, no, this is a misunderstanding,” Percy called out, lifting his hands— still holding the blood-streaked sword. “She was— look, she was going to eat me, okay?”

Nobody responded. Not in English, anyway. Just more shouting. More confusion. A woman screamed something that sounded like a name.

They didn’t understand him. He didn’t understand them.

And that was a problem.

Because one of the guys up front had just picked up a brick.

“Okay,” Percy muttered, backing up a step, “really not loving the language barrier right now.”

Then the guy with the brick charged.

Percy moved.

He ducked the swing and twisted, catching a flash of gold under the attacker’s skin. His pupils were vertical. Not human.

Riptide slashed once, clean and fast.

The “man” crumpled before he hit the ground.

[You have killed a living thing.]
[100 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

The crowd froze. Someone shouted. A bottle flew past Percy’s head and shattered against the dome wall behind him.

Then two more people lunged at him.

One had too many teeth. Monster.

The other? Eyes wide with terror, fists shaking. Human.

Percy moved like water.

He sidestepped the human and knocked them out cold with the flat of his blade, even as he spun and drove Riptide into the gut of the snarling not-human behind them.

[You have killed a living thing.]
[100 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

More were coming now. Some from fear. Some from panic. Some— he was sure— because they weren’t human at all.

Percy kept moving, weaving between them, knocking out those with fear in their eyes, striking true against those whose shadows warped wrong, whose nails had turned to claws, whose blood wasn’t red when it hit the pavement.

“Come on,” he shouted as he parried a rusted pipe, “is everyone here either a monster or trying to kill me today?”

More text scrolled in front of him, bright and taunting:

[You have killed a living thing.]
[100 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

[You have killed a living thing.]
[100 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

[You have killed a living thing.]
[100 coins have been earned as additional compensation.]

Percy flinched, eyes scanning the notifications. Living thing? That wording wasn’t doing his conscience any favors.

Then—

A loud chime rang out across the dome, sharp and final, like a countdown bell in an arena.

[00:30 remaining]

Panic took hold like wildfire as the remaining crowd snapped. Some screamed. Others cried. A few dropped their weapons and bolted toward anything that looked like an exit— even if it meant slamming face-first into the shimmering walls of the dome.

A woman tackled a person in a business suit, wailing as they tried to beat them unconscious. Another stabbed a creature Percy knew was human— he could see it in their eyes, in the way they begged for mercy, in the way they bled red.

[00:20]

“Stop it!” Percy roared, shoving his way through the chaos. “You’re attacking people! That’s not going to—”

[00:10]

The lights in the dome pulsed like a heartbeat.

And then—

[00:00.]
[Main Scenario #1: Proof of Value — Complete.]
[Evaluating participant results…]
[Cleared Participants: 7.]
[Remaining Participants: 382.]
[Scenario Failure: Executing penalties.]

The world went silent.

For a heartbeat, nothing moved.

pop.

It wasn’t loud. Just a soft, wet sound. Like a cork pulled from a wine bottle.

Then another.

And another.

Percy turned just in time to see a young woman’s head disappear — not explode, exactly, but vanish in a blur of blood and bone, her body dropping lifeless to the ground.

It happened again. And again.

All around him, people were dropping— heads bursting like overripe fruit, bodies collapsing mid-scream. Dozens. Hundreds.

[Penalty Complete. 375 participants have been removed.]

Percy stood frozen in the center of the carnage, his blade still wet in his hand, the dome flickering with the aftermath. He looked down at his blood-soaked shoes, then at the pile of notifications still hovering in front of him.

[You have killed 26 living things]
[Kill History: 26 Humans]
[You have killed humans noted to be stronger than average, so the number of coins you have acquired is    doubled.]
[5200 coins have been acquired]
[The “Mercifull Killer” achievement has been gained through one-hit kills while sparing the weak.]

Percy stared at the screen.

"Humans?" he echoed quietly. “They weren’t…” He trailed off. It didn’t matter. The system had already passed judgment.

The people still alive were backing away from him, wide-eyed, whispering. Still not in English, but the fear? That translated just fine.

He wiped Riptide on his jeans, even though he knew it’d be clean in a second anyway. Just something to do with his hands. Annabeth would’ve known what to say. Or Leo would’ve cracked a joke. Or Grover would’ve at least looked horrified with him instead of at him.

A frown pulled at his lips. “…I really hate Mondays.”

[Due to the excessive killing, a group of constellations show a faint hostility to you.]

Percy stared at the text, unamused. “Wow. Good to know the stars are just as judgmental as the gods.”

More messages ticked across the screen:

[A certain nebula is surprised to see you.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

Percy narrowed his eyes at the screen. “Surprised to see me?” Buddy, same.

Before he could dwell on it, the dome shuddered slightly. A ripple of reality peeled open midair like a zipper being undone and with a flourish of confetti, the same creature from before appeared.

[“Oooh~! Look at this!“]
[“I expected some chaos, sure—maybe half of you wouldn’t make it—but this?“]
[“This is delightful! You humans never disappoint me!“]

It did a midair somersault, laughing with its whole chest. Sparks and confetti rained down around it like stage effects.

[“And such a bloody first clear! Oh, the constellations are eating this up.“]

Notifications burst like firecrackers above Percy:

[The number of constellations in your channel has dramatically increased.]
[Current Viewer Count: 145 constellations.]
[Several constellations are expressing conflicting emotions.]
[Some are intrigued by your efficiency. Others are horrified.]

The creature— still floating upside-down— paused in its celebration, as if suddenly remembering something.

[“Ah! Where are my manners? I suppose I should introduce myself.“]

It snapped its fingers, and a small window blinked into existence over its head, pulsing with obnoxious glitter.

[“I am the dokkaebi, Hwarang.“]
[“You can think of me as your host for this exciting new chapter in your very unfortunate lives.“]
[“And don't worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way… until you die.“]

It winked.

[You may call me anything you'd like. “Announcer” works. So does “oh god no, please stop”.]

It laughed, as if it told the funniest joke in the world. Then it tapped something in front of it and gasped with theatrical delight.

[“And would you look at that— we’ve already reached the survivor report stage!“]
[“Let’s see who’s still alive, shall we?“]

A glowing list unfurled midair in sharp, sterile white:

[Remaining Participants: 7]

Percy Jackson
Choi Minha
Kang Ilso
Park Jinyoung
Hwang Miyeon
Ryu Seungho
Lee Sena

The names flickered in the air, some paired with pale, stunned faces scattered around the wreckage. A teenager clung to a crushed vending machine. An older man stared at Percy like he was the Grim Reaper.

Percy grimaced, Riptide disappearing with a flick of his wrist.

The dokkaebi twirled midair, arms spread wide.

[“Ahem! Surely, such a grueling ordeal deserves something in return, wouldn’t you agree?“]
[“As compensation for surviving your very first scenario, each of you has earned the right to be noticed by the “constellations”! Isn’t that exciting? Ta-daaa~!“]

The six remaining civilians didn’t respond. Not immediately.

[“Come on, don’t tell me you’re not thrilled! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!“]
[Sigh… So little enthusiasm. Do you really not understand how important this is?]

A man in his forties sank to his knees, muttering to himself. A young woman clutched her bloodstained coat and backed away from the center of the dome, as if the dokkaebi might call her name next. One teenager kept looking down at their hands like they were confused.

The same woman was sobbing now, sounding hopeless.

Percy blinked slowly. The sound around him was distant, like he was underwater, “Constellations…” he murmured. “As in, like, stars?”

The dokkaebi froze mid-spin, hovering with one brow raised.

[“Oh~? A reaction? Finally!“]

Percy stared at him, face blank. “What, are the stars sponsoring us now? Like the Little Dipper’s gonna give me a discount card or something?”

[“Kukuku. What a strange little mouth you have.“]

Another survivor spoke up— an older woman, her voice thin with disbelief. “This… this isn’t real. None of this is real. I was just on the bus— how can I be here?”

[“Oh, you’re here all right.“]

A younger man pointed accusingly at Percy. “He killed people. I saw it— he cut someone’s head off. And you’re rewarding that?! ”

The dokkaebi's eyes lit up.

[“Ooooh~ that’s a juicy narrative.“]
[“What’s a survival game without a little bloodshed, hmm?“]
[“Hero? Villain? What’s the difference when everyone dies anyway?“]

It spun midair, arms spread wide.

[“The constellations love moral ambiguity! Keep this energy coming!“]
[“So without further adieu—“]

It clapped once.

[“Let the Sponsor Selection begin!“]

The screen flickered, casting harsh light over the seven survivors. More floating text scrolled before Percy’s eyes:

[Sponsor Selection]

[Please select your sponsor:

1. The Architect of Ruin
2. The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds
3. The Huntress Among Stars
4. The Silent Maiden Beneath the Moon
5. The Sun’s Golden Lyre
6. The Moonlit Queen of Unmaking
   
7. The Drowned King in the Tide
   
8. The Tyrant of the Deep Sea
   
9. The Swordless General of Fallen Glory
   
10. Abyssal Black Flame Dragon]

He went through the list slowly, thanking whatever gods were out there that it was in Greek and not Korean… or English. His brain was already on fire; at least he didn’t need subtitles on top of it.

Some were easy to guess.

The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds

That had to be Hermes.

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ is watching you.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ adjusts his sandals and lounges casually.]

“Lazy bum,” Percy muttered.

The Sun’s Golden Lyre

No mistaking that one either.

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ is watching you.]
[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ glows slightly brighter, basking in his own attention.]

Percy rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Typical.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ throws a sandal at their fellow constellation.]
[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ laughs and dodges.]

He kept scrolling and froze.

The Huntress Among the Stars

His mouth pressed into a thin line.

[The constellation ‘The Huntress Among the Stars’ is watching you.]
[The constellation ‘The Huntress Among the Stars’ expresses gratitude.]
[You’ve been sponsored 100 coins.]

Percy lowered his eyes. “…Zoe.” There was so many things he wanted to tell her, but he bit his lip and continued reading.

The next name came like a punch to the ribs.

The Tyrant of the Deep Sea

The moment he saw it, he knew.

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is watching you.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is pleased.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is confused.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

“…Dad?” Percy asked, blinking hard. He took a step forward, a weird mixture of frustration and hope rising. “What happened? Why am I in Korea?! What is this place?!”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is confused.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is watching you.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

Percy rubbed his face with both hands. Cool. Awesome. That’s great. One of the three great gods is confused. Poseidon is confused. Definitely not a red flag.

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ is amused.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ adjusts his sandal again.]

Percy groaned. “You guys are no help.”

[Certain constellations are confused.]
[The constellation ‘The Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ urges you to spill more blood.]
[The constellation ‘The One Who Judges Without Mercy’ is disappointed you stopped killing.]

The dokkaebi finally clapped his hands, the sound ringing unnaturally loud in the blood-stained air.

["Alright, alright, enough standing around—we’ve still got a show to run!"]
["You’ve all survived your first scenario and hopefully gained a powerful new ally. Congratulations~"]
["Now, it’s time for the second!"]

A new wall of text scrolled into existence above their heads.

[Main Scenario #2
Escape the City

Category: Main
Difficulty: C+
Clear Conditions: Escape the boundaries of Guryong City before the scenario timer ends.
Time Limit: 2 hours
Compensation: 2000 coins
Penalty for Failure: Death]

The dokkaebi drifted lazily through the air, grin stretching wider with every scream of disbelief and fear.

["Oh, don’t look at me like that, you didn’t think you were done after one little warm-up, did you?"]
["Come now, you’ve barely given our dear constellations a taste. They’re hungry for more."]

It clapped its hands and a large arrow appeared, pointing towards the wooded area towards the north.

["Run fast, little humans. You’ll find the edges of the city aren’t quite… natural."]
["Ah, I can already hear the panic. Delicious."]
["Will you claw your way out? Or die in a gutter while someone else takes the glory?"]

Percy sighed, already walking. “You know, you could just say you want us to run for our lives without trying to sound like the villain in a bad TV show.”

The dokkaebi’s stuck its tongue out, before completely ignoring Percy and turning to the remaining six survivors.

["You have two hours. And if you’re smart—well, you might even survive."]

Percy muttered, “Yeah, thanks, that’s super reassuring.”

["Ah, I can’t wait to see who makes it out alive."]

Chapter Text

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is watching you.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ suggests putting more points into your ‘stats’.]

Percy sighed. “Yeah, I would — except every time I try, I get electrocuted. Pretty sure my stats are fine where they are.”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is worried.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

“Dad, come on. You can’t just throw money at this. You’re going to go broke.”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is offended by your assumptions.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ is bored.]
[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ suggests finding monsters to kill since you’re apparently immune to poison.]

Percy rolled his eyes. “Oh, sure. Great idea. Let me just run headfirst into the nearest death trap to entertain the peanut gallery. What could go wrong?” Though, he kind of agreed with Apollo at this point. It was too quiet and he was getting twitchy.

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is getting ready to strangle the constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ if he doesn’t stop being a bad influence.]

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ shrugs and uses his plausibilty.]

Percy had stopped walking, caught up in the divine version of a chatroom brawl (seriously, what was his life?), when a giant golden arrow suddenly appeared in the air, pointing deeper into the city.

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ invokes plausibility.]

A second arrow appeared, this one a shimmering blue-green, pointing in the opposite direction.

Percy tilted his head. “So… is this the fun way or safe way Dad?”

The blue-green arrow wavered, then sheepishly dissolved into mist. The golden arrow brightened in triumph, glowing twice as strong.

Percy laughed. “I appreciate the attempt, dad.”

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ is smug.]

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ sulks.]

He sighs and ‘‘unsheaths’ Riptide with a soft click and follows after the golden arrow.

The deeper he went, the thicker the haze became. The streets were drowned in a sickly purple fog, clinging to broken signs and gnawed-through power lines like cobwebs. Rusted cars sat half-melted in puddles that hissed as raindrops fell into them. The air reeked of iron and sour rot, like old pennies soaked in vinegar. 

Every breath should’ve choked him. Should’ve burned his lungs.

But it didn’t.

If anything, the poison slid through him the way seawater did. 

His skin prickled with static awareness, and the edges of the world came into sharper focus. The poison moved in invisible currents, shifting around the crumbling buildings and wrapped the streets in coils, like the tide swirling through rocks. 

Percy let out a slow breath, reminded too much of Tartarus. 

The first time it happened down there, Annabeth’s reaction had been horror. Not the usual “you’re about to do something reckless” kind, but wild and panicked. Later— so much later, when they could breathe again— she clarified. It wasn’t the way he controlled poison that scared her. It was the way she thought he was pulling ahead of her, down a path she couldn’t follow. 

But poison, she’d sighed out, had always been one of their weakest counters. Monsters dripped it, mortals used it, and Tartarus was steeped in it. If he could control it, it was one less way for them to die. Her voice had been dry when she said it, but Percy still remembered the way her hand had gripped his, tight and unshaking, as if to anchor him back beside her.

Now, in this city, the skill snapped back into place instinctively. He could sense shapes in the mist— the hard outlines of buildings, the crawl of insects, even the faint heat of living things hiding nearby. The poison painted everything in outlines and shadows, almost like a sonar, but darker.

He felt… stronger. Not like in the ocean, where the water carried him, buoyed him, made him whole. This was different. 

Percy tightened his grip on Riptide. “Welp,” he muttered. “Another thing to add to the list of things I should probably tell Chiron before he has a heart attack.”

Of course, the universe decided that was the perfect cue to throw more nightmares at him.

The first thing to lunge at him was a giant ant— glossy black, mandibles snapping like steel traps. Percy stepped aside with a practiced twist, brought Riptide around in a clean arc, and took its head off in one stroke. The ant collapsed in a twitching heap, blood pooling dark against the cracked pavement. Percy flicked the blade, scattering droplets with a frown.

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is proud.]
[You’ve been sponsored 1000 coins.]

Percy flushed, heat crawling up his neck. “Dad, you’ve seen me fight worse,” he muttered, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re embarrassing me.”

[The constellations ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ and ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ bursts out laughing.]
[Certain constellations coo at the cute scene.]

Percy groaned. “Yeah, thanks. Really needed the peanut gallery on this one.”

The street was quiet for half a heartbeat. Then the ground shuddered.

From an alley up ahead, a massive bear lurched into view, its fur patchy and its eyes burning an unnatural yellow. It bellowed, foam and spittle flying, and charged with the weight of a wrecking ball.

Percy didn’t flinch. He sprinted forward instead, boots slapping against the wet stone. Just before impact, he kicked off a broken car hood, using the momentum to launch himself upward. The bear reared back, claws raking the air— too slow.

Riptide drove straight down into its neck with a crunch of bone. Percy used the force of his fall to shove the blade deeper, sliding past muscle and sinew until bronze pierced out the other side. He landed hard, knees bending, and yanked the sword sideways in a brutal sweep that severed the head in a spray of dark blood.

The body staggered forward another step before collapsing in a thunderous crash, shaking the pavement. Percy wrenched Riptide free, grimacing as he wiped the blade against his already-ruined jeans.

“…Yeah,” he muttered, staring down at the steaming corpse. “Totally normal Monday.”

[The constellation ‘The Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is excited for more bloodshed.]
[The constellation ‘The One Who Judges Without Mercy’ acknowledges your efficiency, but demands more.]
[You’ve been sponsored 200 coins.]

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ is upset.]
[You’ve been sponsored 2000 coins.]

“Dad… really?”

He shoved his embarrassment aside and trudged on, the mist thickening as the ruined city swallowed him whole. Each block seemed quieter, the silence broken only by the distant crackle of poison eating through steel. The golden arrow had vanished, but Percy didn’t need it now. He could feel something ahead— a tug in the fog, stranger than the usual poison currents.

A chime echoed across the street, hollow and metallic, vibrating through the soles of his shoes. Blue text bled into existence at eye level:

[Hidden Scenario: “The Poisoned City Sleeps”]
[Category: Hidden
Difficulty: C+
Clear Conditions: Save at least one survivor in the mist before dawn and escort them to the main scenario.
Failure: Survivor dies.
Reward: 3000 coins.]

Percy stared at the glowing text, shoulders sinking. “Fuck.”

Somewhere deeper in the haze, he caught the sound of wet coughs and soft cries for help. His grip tightened on Riptide, decision made before he even realized he’d started moving. “Hang on,” he muttered, cutting through the mist with quick strides. “I’m coming.”

The alleys narrowed as he pushed through, the poison curling thicker around broken glass and rotting trash. The sound grew clearer— a thin, panicked whimper. Percy rounded a corner and froze.

A child dangled upside down over a cracked metal pot, wrists bound, tears streaking a soot-stained face and a blindfold covering half their face. A fire smoldered underneath, licking the air in weak orange tongues.

On the far side of the flames crouched three massive figures Percy recognized immediately.

Laistrygonians.

“Fucking Canadians,” he muttered under his breath.

But even as Riptide hummed in his hand, something was… off. The giants weren’t eating the kid. They weren’t even poking at the fire. Instead, they crouched behind rusted trash bins, heads ducked low, eyes flicking toward the alleys like they were waiting.

Waiting for him. Or anyone, probably.

They were so— Percy blinked, struggling for words. So stupid. Their massive frames hunched behind bins way too small to cover them, sausage-thick fingers twitching as if they thought they were subtle.

It was so obviously a trap it was insulting.

Except… they were sitting in the mist, breathing it in. 

Percy frowned, a chill running down his spine. They should’ve been coughing their lungs out, keeling over just by existing here. But the laistrygonians looked fine. Almost comfortable.

He didn’t know why. Didn’t know if it was some new evolution, or if they had a sponsor protecting them, or if monsters just didn’t follow the same rules as before. Who the fuck knew anymore. His life was basically a video game at this point.

The child let out another desperate sob, and Percy’s chest tightened. Right. Trap.

He sighed as he raised Riptide. “Okay, fine. Dumb plan or not, I’m still coming for the kid.” His eyes flicked past the fire and past the laistrygonians crouched like idiots behind their bins. The building behind them was old, brick cracked and windows shattered— but the pipes inside? Still intact. Percy could hear them, faint as a heartbeat, water rushing sluggishly through forgotten lines.

He tugged.

The pipes groaned, metal warping, until a crack split open and water burst free. It answered him instantly, flooding the alley in a foaming surge. The laistrygonians yelped, more surprised than scared, as the wave slammed them into the wall with bone-cracking force.

Percy didn’t stop. He clenched his fist, and the water obeyed. It curled, bubbled, pulled itself tight into spheres that swallowed the giants’ heads, drowning them in their own trapped gasps. They thrashed, claws raking at the water cages, but Percy pressed harder, merciless. When they staggered back, weakened and sputtering, he moved. Riptide flashed in clean arcs— one head, then another, then the last, all toppling with wet thuds to the pavement. The water fell with them, sluicing red down the gutter.

Percy smirked, shaking the spray from his hair. “Should’ve stayed in Canada,” he said.

The child sniffled, having gone silent when they heard the rush of water, too terrified to scream. Percy frowned, cutting the ropes with a swift flick of Riptide and catching them in steady arms. “You’re fine now. Well… mostly fine. Just don’t look behind you.”

[The constellation ‘The Devourer of Iron and Flesh’ is upset their incarnates are dead.]
[The constellation ‘The Devourer of Iron and Flesh’ wishes for your death.]

Percy squinted up at the glowing text. “…Well maybe you should’ve picked smarter incarnations.”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ bares his teeth at the constellation ‘The Devourer of Iron and Flesh’.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ threatens ‘The Devourer of Iron and Flesh’ with a very painful death should they continue to talk to their incarnate.]

The kid tugged weakly at his sleeve, grey eyes huge and wet. Percy sighed, crouching low so he wouldn’t tower. “Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, I’ve got you. Just… try to ignore the cosmic screaming match.”

The kid cocked their head to the side, then whispered something in Korean, voice hoarse.
“모르겠어요.”

Percy closed his eyes, groaning. Right. Korea. Foreign country. Different language. His brain had been so wrapped up in monsters, poison, and peanut galleries that he’d managed to forget he couldn’t understand a single word.

He jabbed a thumb at his chest. “Percy.” 

Then he pointed at the kid. Waited. Pointed back at himself. “Percy.”

The boy hesitated, before whispering a shy, “…Peo-shi.”

“Percy,” he corrected gently.

The kid tried again, slower this time. “…Peo-shi.”

Percy tilted his head, lips twitching. “…That’s me, I guess. Though it kinda sounds like I just got renamed by a soda company.”

“Peo-shi,” the boy repeated with a tiny nod, more confident this time.

Percy sighed but let it slide, nodding back. Close enough. He pointed at the boy with a questioning look.

The kid swallowed before rasping out a cute, “Kim Euiyoung.”

Percy repeated it carefully, nodding in satisfaction. “Kim Euiyoung. Got it.” At least that worked. Tarzan method, undefeated.

The kid looked about seven, black hair plastered to their forehead, grey eyes wide and wary. Even tied up and terrified, their whole demeanor screamed lost puppy in a school uniform. Percy’s chest tightened in a way he didn’t like.

He sighed, tipping his head back at the faint constellation text still flickering in the mist. “Okay, Dad. You’re all-powerful, right? Got any tricks to help me understand Korean? Cause this is getting really old.”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ considers your request.]

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ perks up.]

Percy narrowed his eyes at the glowing words. “...Languages. I forgot it was technically your domain.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ preens.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ will help for a favor.]

Percy huffed a laugh. “Sure, I can do you a solid. But let’s be real, cousin, I’ve got plenty of dirt I could spill about you back home. You really want half the constellations hearing about how the god of thieves got his sta—”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ coughs loudly.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ tells you to zip it.]

Percy smirked, arms crossed. “Then give me something. Korean. Or better yet, all languages. Your pick.”

There was a long pause.

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ grumbles, but sponsors you with “Tongues of the Trickster.”]

Percy blinked as the system notification settled in, the sounds of the street suddenly slotting into place like puzzle pieces. The kid’s nervous muttering sharpened into words he could actually understand.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Knew you’d see it my way.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ sulks.]

It was only when he opened his mouth again that he realized the catch. His words rolled out smooth and sly, like every syllable had been dipped in honey and wrapped in oil. It wasn’t him. It was the voice of someone who could talk you into buying a car you didn’t need, or smile while picking your pocket clean.

Percy froze, grimacing. “…Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

The kid blinked at him with wide, almost spooked eyes, like they weren’t sure whether to trust him or bolt. His grip on Percy’s sleeve faltered just a little, and that stung worse than a blade.

Percy rubbed at his face with his free hand. “Great. I sound like a con artist. Thanks a lot, cousin.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ is snickering.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ insists the voice suits you.]

“ Suits me ? I already get accused of lying half the time back home, and now you give me a voice that sounds like a scammer?” Percy grumbled.

The kid tugged at his sleeve again, voice small but wary. “…Peo-shi? Why do you sound… weird?”

Percy winced. “See? Even the seven year old thinks I sound like I’m about to do something sketchy.” He jabbed a finger up at the glowing notifications. “Fix it. Now. Or I swear, Hermes, I start telling every single one of your embarrassing stories until Olympus sounds like an open-mic night.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ yelps indignantly.]

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ stares darkly at ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ demands ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ correct this immediately.]

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ whines.]

Percy pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hermeeeeeeees.”

[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ begrudgingly patches the effect.]
[The constellation ‘The Messenger Who Walks Between Worlds’ sulks in the corner.]

Percy cleared his throat, testing. His voice came out normal this time, tired, but unmistakably his. Relief loosened the knot in his shoulders. “Finally. Took you long enough.”

The kid blinked up at him, tension easing just a little. “…Peo-shi?”

Percy’s mouth tugged into the faintest smile. “Yeah. That’s me, kid. And you’re safe now.”

For a heartbeat, Euiyoung just stared, wide-eyed. Then, without warning, he lurched forward and wrapped both arms around Percy’s waist, clinging so tightly it nearly knocked the wind out of him. Percy froze, caught completely off guard, before his free hand hovered awkwardly over the boy’s back.

“…Right. Hugging. Okay,” Percy muttered, half to himself, shifting uncomfortably. “I can do that. You have any other family Kim Euiyoung?”

Euiyoung didn’t let go, his voice muffled against Percy’s water soaked shirt, trembling and small. “My hyung… I don’t know where he is.”

Percy’s inner translator clicked into place: hyung = older brother.

“It’s ok, kid,” he said quietly, tightening his hold just a little. “We’ll find him. What’s his name?”

Euiyoung sniffled, then pulled back just enough to look up at him, grey eyes still shining. “Kim Euihyun.”

Percy nodded, already bracing himself. “Okay. Kim Euihyun. You know where he is?”

The boy’s mouth twisted. “…With his friend.”

Percy raised a brow at the sour tone. “…Friend?”

Euiyoung all but spat the name. “Taeju Yeo.”

Percy blinked at the sheer venom packed into those two syllables. It wasn’t fear. Oh no, this was the kind of resentment reserved for siblings worldwide. It clicked a second later, and Percy bit back a laugh. “Ah. So your brother’s friend that’s actually more than a friend?”

Euiyoung scowled, cheeks puffing up. “…He stole my hyung,” the boy muttered, as if that was the ultimate proof of Taeju Yeo’s unworthiness.

Percy snorted before he could stop himself, quickly turning it into a cough. “Right. Got it. Hyung and Taeju Yeo. We’ll track them both down.”

The kid huffed but tightened his grip on Percy’s sleeve anyway, clearly unwilling to let go.

“Don’t worry,” Percy added dryly as they started moving again. “I’ll make sure your hyung gets rescued first. Can’t have his terrible taste in boyfriends distracting him while the world’s ending.”

Euiyoung’s answering nod was so solemn it nearly broke Percy’s composure. “They’re not boyfriends…” he muttered, the words trailing into a sulky pout. His lower lip jutted out in a way so absurdly cute that Percy had to strangle the urge to bite the kid’s chubby cheeks right then and there.

“…Right,” Percy muttered instead, lips twitching. “Not boyfriends. Sure.”

They walked together through the mist, Percy sweeping his gaze across the ruined streets, Riptide loose in his grip. After a moment, he glanced down at the boy. “So how’re you not coughing your lungs out in all this poison, huh? Most people would be on the floor by now.”

Euiyoung perked up just enough to shrug. “My sponsor said I was too cute to die in poison.”

Percy blinked. “…That’s it?”

The boy nodded, utterly serious. “Too cute.”

Percy dragged a hand down his face. “Gods above and below. What is my life.”

Euiyoung tilted his head. “What about you, Peo-shi? You’re fine too. Is your sponsor saying you’re cute?”

Percy choked. “No. Absolutely not. We’re not even starting that conversation.”

[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ says you are very cute.]

Percy froze mid-step. “…Dad. Please.”

[The constellation ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ starts composing a ballad about your cuteness.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ threatens to drown ‘The Sun’s Golden Lyre’ in saltwater if he continues.]

Percy groaned loudly, scrubbing at his face with both hands. “Why is my entire life just one long humiliation reel? We’re in the middle of an apocalypse not even in the correct country, but sure— let’s all argue about how adorable I am. That’s definitely the priority here.”

Euiyoung blinked up at him innocently. “…I think you’re cute Peo-shi.”

Percy nearly tripped. “Traitor.”

Euiyoung’s eyes narrowed, clearly put-out, before he brightened again. “My hyung is cuter than me,” he announced proudly. “And his not boyfriend Taeju Yeo follows him everywhere.”

Percy sighed. “Of course he does.” He glanced down at the boy’s small, determined grip on his sleeve and added wryly, “Guess I can see where you get it from.”

The boy flushed red, staring at his shoes before sneaking a glance back up, watery eyes round and gleaming like a baby seal’s. “Hyung is way cuter,” he whispered. Then, like it was completely normal, he added, “I can get rid of Taeju Yeo, and you can be my hyung’s not boyfriend.”

Percy nearly tripped over his own feet. “What— absolutely not. Kid, no. That’s not—” He clamped a hand over his face. “Why is this my life?”

[Certain constellations are howling with laughter.]
[The constellation ‘The Tyrant of the Deep Sea’ says you’re too young to date.]

Kim Euiyoung puffed up indignantly. “My hyung is the best! You’re much better than Taeju Yeo anyways.”

“Not helping, kid,” Percy muttered, scrubbing a hand through his damp hair.

They kept moving through the narrow alleys, their voices low. Kim Euiyoung peppered him with questions about his sword, his “sponsor,” and whether all Americans were immune to poison. Percy answered as best he could, distracted as his senses stretched outward. The poison curled through the ruins like a tide, and under it Percy felt the faintest ripple of disturbance.

He slowed, tightening his grip on Riptide. Kim Euiyoung must’ve noticed as well, because he stopped talking mid-sentence, clutching Percy’s sleeve again.

Then it came: a deep, rumbling growl that carried even through the mist, somewhere further ahead.

Percy grimaced. “Great. More Canadians.”

And over it, grunts of pain, the crash of something heavy slamming against stone and a shout.

Euiyoung’s eyes went wide, voice trembling. “…Hyung?”

Percy exhaled slowly, adjusting his grip on the boy’s shoulder to steady him. “Only one way to find out.”

The growls sharpened into snarls the closer they crept, broken by the crack of concrete and the dull thud of fists meeting flesh. Percy’s pulse quickened, as he tugged Euiyoung along into a sprint.

They rounded the corner—

—and froze just in time to see a laistrygonian reel under a flurry of blows. One boy darted in low, his foot snapping out in a vicious kick that sent the monster’s knee buckling sideways. The resemblance was obvious, same dark hair, same storm-grey eyes as the kid clinging to Percy’s sleeve. Kim Euihyun. Slim, wiry, sharper features than his little brother.

Beside him fought a complete contrast. Taller, broader, with messy blond hair and pale violet eyes that caught the dim light. Where Kim Euihyun struck like a whip, Taeju Yeo was pure blunt force— his fists slammed into the giant’s jaw and ribs with brutal precision, every blow forcing it back another step.

The laistrygonian dropped with a final howl, its head cracking against the pavement as Kim Euihyun’s kick connected with its temple.

Both boys stood panting, scraped and bruised, but steady on their feet.

Euiyoung’s whole face lit up. “Hyung!” he cried, his voice breaking as he bolted forward.

Percy blinked, lowering Riptide just a little. “So that’s Kim Euihyun. And I’m guessing Blondie over there is Taeju Yeo— the infamous not-boyfriend.”

Kim Euihyun spun at the sound, eyes wide, just in time to catch his little brother as Euiyoung launched himself into his arms. For a moment his sharp expression softened completely, relief flooding his features as he pulled Euiyoung tight against him.

“Crybaby,” Taeju Yeo greeted from the side, grinning even as he shook out bruised knuckles.

“I am not,” Euiyoung mumbled against his brother’s shirt, but his wobbling lower lip wasn’t exactly helping his case.

The three of them clustered together in the alley, hugging like the world outside had disappeared. Percy stood there for a beat, sword still in hand, and suddenly felt like the awkward tagalong at a family reunion. He cleared his throat, shifting a step back, ready to give them space.

That was apparently a mistake.

All three sets of eyes snapped toward him at once— Kim Euihyun sharp, Taeju Yeo assessing, and Euiyoung wide and wet as ever.

“Peo-shi, don’t go.” Euiyoung called, voice trembling but stubborn, as if daring Percy to move another inch.

Percy froze mid-step, rubbing the back of his neck. “…Right. Still here. Not going anywhere.”

Before Percy could backtrack another step, Taeju Yeo moved around their little reunion, placing himself squarely between the brothers and Percy. He crossed his arms, posture relaxed, a sly sort of friendliness curling over his expression. Broad shoulders and thick muscle bunched under his shirt, making it clear the “casual” stance was backed by plenty of force.

“Peo-shi, was it?”

Percy’s lips twitched. He made a point of enunciating a slow: “ Percy. ”

Something flickered in Taeju Yeo’s pale violet eyes. “Percy,” he repeated, easily, with a barely noticeable accent. “English?”

“Very,” Percy answered, tucking Riptide into his pocket. Maybe not the best idea, but he didn’t want to be too aggressive here. “Good job on the Canadian. They’re not exactly the easiest opponents.” For non-demigod humans, he kept to himself.

Taeju’s smile tilted, sharp at the edges. “Thanks, we were lucky, I guess.” His head inclined, casual as ever, though his gaze stayed steady. “So, Percy. Where exactly did you come from?”

Percy quirked a quick smile. “California.” He deadpanned.

“And how’d you find the crybaby?” Taeju continued.

Euiyoung bristled instantly. “Don’t call me that!” He stomped forward, still clutching at his brother’s sleeve with one hand, glaring up at Taeju with all the fury a seven year old could muster. “And stop being mean to Peo-shi!” he added fiercely. “He saved me from the…”

The boy hesitated, mouth working around the foreign word. “Ca… Can-ne-dee-ans?”

Percy blinked, then snorted before he could stop himself. “…Close enough, kid. Their actual names are Laistrygonians. Basically cannibal giants.”

Euiyoung nodded along with grave seriousness. Percy would’ve bet good drachmas he didn’t understand a word of it. Meanwhile, Kim Euihyun and Taeju Yeo were still watching him with weary eyes.

Percy sighed loudly, “C’mon, what do I have to do to get you both to stop looking at me like I’m going to kick your dog? I’m very friendly.”

Kim Euihyun’s brows lifted slightly, skeptical. Taeju Yeo’s lips twitched like he was fighting a laugh.

Euiyoung tightened his grip on Percy’s sleeve and nodded firmly. “He is! Peo-shi’s very nice.”

Percy laughed under his breath, glancing down at his tiny little hype man. “…I appreciate the vote of confidence, Kim Euiyoung. You’re doing a great job convincing everyone I’m not secretly plotting world domination.”

That finally cracked a large smile out of Taeju with Euihyun’s expression softening just enough to look less like he was planning to book it.

“…See?” Percy said, gesturing vaguely between them. “Progress. Next thing you know, we’ll all be braiding friendship bracelets.”

Euiyoung perked up immediately. “I want a blue one.”

Taeju’s mouth curved slyly. “I’ll take purple.”

Euihyun gave him a flat look. “Why are you playing along?”

“Because it’s funny,” Taeju replied without missing a beat. His pale eyes slid to Percy, sharp and assessing even behind the lazy grin. “Besides, anyone who jokes about bracelets instead of stabbing us right away probably isn’t looking to kill us.”

Percy raised his hands in mock surrender. “See? Someone gets it.”

Euihyun held his frown for a long second, then sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “…Fine. If you wanted us dead, you would’ve done it already. I get that.” His gaze cut back to Percy, steady and unflinching. “But that doesn’t mean we trust you.”

Percy snorted. “Believe me, I’d be worried if you did. We’re in the middle of an apocalypse.”

Taeju chuckled, the grin tugging wider. “At least he’s honest about it.”

Euihyun glanced at him, unimpressed. “You think everything’s a joke.”

“Not everything,” Taeju said lightly, a look of—

Yup. Those two were totally in love. The way they locked eyes screamed adoration. It was like the world could fall apart around them and they’d still only see each other. Taeju’s sly grin softened into something openly warm, almost reverent, and Euihyun’s sharp features eased into a look of unguarded tenderness. 

And then there was Euiyoung.

The kid’s tiny face crumpled like he’d swallowed a mouthful of vinegar. Nose wrinkling, lips pulled into a thin grimace, eyes narrowed to slits. If disgust could kill, Taeju would’ve dropped dead on the spot.

Percy took a long, suffering breath and tipped his head back, staring up at the smog-choked sky like he was praying for divine intervention before he broke down. “Well,” he choked out, clapping his hands together to get their attention, “now that we’ve got that out of the way, should we head out? I have a mission about escorting survivors out of the mist and to the subway.”

Euiyoung perked up instantly. “We’re going with you.”

Taeju grinned, shaking out his shoulders. “Sounds fun, where are we off to, captain?”

Percy glared. “First off, don’t call me that. I’m nobody’s captain.”

Euiyoung puffed up beside him, clearly ready to argue. “Peo-shi is captain.”

Percy groaned. “Kid, you’re not helping.”

Euihyun’s mouth tightened, indecision flickering across his face at the two versus one. Percy caught it and shook his head firmly. “Look, I’m not asking you to follow me. Honestly, you’d be better off finding somewhere safe. But people are out there choking on poison and running from monsters. I’m not walking away from that. You can head off on your own if you want— but I’m going to keep looking.”

That earned him a long, steady look from Euihyun, sharp eyes studying him like they were peeling back layers. At last, he sighed, shoulders loosening just slightly. “…Fine. We’ll help. Letting you do it alone would just be stupid.”

“Glad you see it that way,” Percy said, a wry smile tugging at his mouth.

“Works for me,” Taeju cut in, a grin sliding across his face in anticipation. “Lead the way, captain.”

Percy groaned. “…Please stop calling me that.”

Euiyoung beamed up at him, clearly thrilled. “Captain Peo-shi!”

Percy sighed. “…You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”