Chapter 764: One-Day Tour of the Underworld
The once desolate corridor was now lined with eerie blue streetlights, their modern arrangement giving Rin-Ishtar an overwhelming sense of familiarity—as if she had walked this path countless times before.
Looking down the mountain, skeletal workers wearing hard hats whistled cheerfully as they directed their partners, assembled into massive construction machines, to erect road signs and pave the roads… There was even a colossal lighthouse, a true marvel!
Beyond the ornate and elegant archway, past the Bridge of Helplessness, lay an endless city dyed in shades of ghostly blue. Those who walked its streets were not living beings, yet they moved through the alleys and boulevards with the same order and purpose as the living.
A silver full moon hung high in the sky, reflecting the bustling metropolis below.
"This…" Rin gaped for a long moment before turning to Fujimaru with a serious expression. "When did we fall under an illusion?"
"..."
"Impossible! The Goddess of the Underworld I know could never have done something like this!" the Heavenly Goddess wailed. "At this rate, I've completely lost to her!"
This time, no one mocked Ishtar's outburst. Except for Fujimaru, who had no preconceptions, the more someone knew about Sumerian mythology, the harder it was to believe.
"How is this possible? The legendary Underworld couldn't even allow flowers to bloom—it was supposed to remain barren forever… And what's with that moon in the sky?"
In the command room, the doctor pressed his face against the screen, staring intently at the cluster of pixels.
There was no doubt—it was the moon.
But how could a satellite be hanging in the sky of the Underworld? In the Age of Gods, where heaven and earth were woven from the same cloth, there should only be one moon!
"Da Vinci…"
"Don't ask me, I don't know either." The beautiful woman lifted her coffee cup, hiding the shock in her eyes. "This goes beyond even my imagination. I can't fathom who could have brought the moon to this Underworld."
Beep, beep, beep—the alert tone sounded as the staff dutifully reported: "A large number of spiritual entities are approaching."
"The messengers of the Goddess of the Underworld—the Gallu spirits." Within the Singularity, Merlin also recognized the translucent figures swarming toward them. "It seems the goddess has noticed our arrival. Hm?"
As the Gallu spirits drew closer, the group realized they were holding up a large sign with four flamboyant characters written on it:
Welcome!
"…Are we some kind of Underworld tour group?" Anna muttered under her breath. Before anyone could react, the Gallu spirits surrounded them, and a gentle force lifted them, guiding them toward the city.
"What do we do, Fujimaru?"
"Well, we're already here." Fujimaru was, in fact, the most relaxed among them. His eyes sparkled with undisguised curiosity as he gazed at the illuminated city. "Until the King summons us, let's follow the goddess's messengers."
———
Underworld Shopping District
Though no voices could be heard, the constant flow of souls back and forth created a lively atmosphere all its own.
"Step right up! Essential study guides for the Underworld civil service exam… Civil service exam?!"
"Custom-made Mastabas, fair prices for all—pfft."
"Urn promotions, second one half price—ugh, what kind of shady stuff are they even selling here?"
Passing by stalls manned by spirits, the group read the stone slabs placed in front of the stands, exchanging bewildered glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
Even in the afterlife, can't we escape civil service exams?
And come to think of it, how does the concept of exams even exist in the Age of Gods?
And also...
"Can we at least do something that belongs in the land of the living?"
"But, Fujimaru, this is literally the underworld."
"Uh... Ah, look over there!"
Fujimaru noticed a shop and pointed excitedly at the sign by its entrance, reading aloud:
"Limited-time free experience—specialty photo booth!"
"Oh, this is great!" The first to respond was none other than the lofty goddess of the heavens. "Haven't played with something like this since Clock Tower... cough."
Seems like she accidentally revealed something rather unexpected.
"Sounds fun, I'd like to try it too." Merlin also showed interest. "What about you, Sakatsuki?"
"Come on, Anna." Sakatsuki tugged on the cat-eared hood, preventing Anna from slipping away. "Let your big bro take a look."
"No..." Anna clutched her clothes stubbornly, but with her Strength stat at C, she stood no chance against Sakatsuki, who possessed the heart of a dragon. With a yelp, she was scooped up and carried straight into the photo booth.
"Three, two, one, cheese!"
After the flash, the photo developed quickly. Fujimaru reached out to take it, and the group immediately huddled together—even Anna pretended not to care, sneaking glances through the gaps.
With a snap, Fujimaru suddenly closed the photo and declared solemnly, "Let's get back to business. We should go find the goddess of the underworld—"
"Hey! Don't be stingy, Fujimaru! I haven't even seen it yet!" Ishtar protested, snatching the photo from Fujimaru's hands when he wasn't looking. But the moment she lifted it, her eager grin froze.
"This..."
"Why is it a black-and-white photo?!"
Under the special lighting, everyone in the photo looked deathly pale with eerie expressions, framed by the monochrome tones like a family portrait for the deceased.
"Still with us in spirit.jpg"
Whoosh—the shop owner floated over, holding up a new sign.
[Free framing service included!]
"NO THANKS!!!" everyone shouted in unison.
Leaving the "memorial photo service" behind, the group next tried out the newly opened "Hellfire Spicy Hotpot Grid," the "Human House," and "Naihe's Tea."
[Owner's heartfelt recommendation—classic Mengpo Soup Tea!!!]
"Where did they even learn this kind of advertising? Whatever... Go on, Fujimaru, you're up!"
"Huh?!"
Under the amused gazes of the Servants, the young man gulped, trembling as he took the cup of tea and took a cautious sip—
"How is it? Tasty?"
"It's good... Huh? What's this? Mengpo Soup? Let me try a sip."
Gulp.
"What's this? Mengpo Soup? Let me try a sip."
Gulp.
"Mengpo Soup? Let me try a sip."
Gulp.
"Let me try a sip."
Gulp.
"Try..."
"Stop Fujimaru!" Merlin finally realized something was wrong and shouted urgently, joining Anna to restrain the poor boy trapped in an amnesiac loop. Meanwhile, Sakatsuki and Ishtar clutched their stomachs in the back, laughing uproariously.
After ensuring Fujimaru was fully awake, the group blacklisted milk tea shops like "Shanghai Mengpo," "Ancient Nether," and "Mixue Funeral City." Strolling around, they finally reached the end of the pedestrian street.
"Seventh-day grand opening anniversary event—prize quiz?" Fujimaru read curiously, staring at the massive stage blocking the central archway. "The prize for answering seven questions correctly is... Netherworld Dragon Crystal? Wow, that's huge?!"
At the center of the stage, a gemstone at least twenty centimeters in diameter rested on silk cloth, silently awaiting challengers.
"Let's go, Fujimaru. Transporting a gem that big back to Chaldea would consume too much magical energy—it's not worth it," the doctor said through the communication bracelet. "Besides, we might not even know the answers to the Underworld's questions."
"You're right." Fujimaru nodded and turned to call the others. "Let's head to the temple to find King Gilgamesh."
But just then, someone reached out to stop Fujimaru. The dark-haired goddess stood before the stage, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the peerless obsidian.
"Ishtar, don't tell me you're—"
"Exactly. Who knew such a beautiful treasure could be born in the Underworld? If it's a gem, then I, Ishtar, must have it!"