As mentioned several times before, in the Age of the Gods, the Underworld was physically located underground. One only needed to keep digging to reach it.
In the city of Kutha itself, there was a path leading to the Underworld.
Initially, Naoki planned to use that passage, but since his companion, Ishtar, found it too troublesome, in the end—
"Can't you stop being so reckless?"
In a dimly lit space, Naoki descended slowly with the wind to the ground, looking at Ishtar, who was also floating down, with some frustration.
Yes, just like in the original story, Ishtar had blasted a hole in the ground, forcibly entering the Underworld with Naoki.
"What's the problem? This is faster." Ishtar laughed. "You're quite strange. You're incredibly strong, but sometimes you do things so methodically."
"Because I'm constantly warned not to act recklessly. If I did, the world's order could fall into chaos."
For example, the moon scattering across the sky or a Hyakki Yagyō happening at any moment… Such scenarios weren't impossible. Considering the secrecy of mysteries and the stability of world society, Naoki was always monitored by his beautiful adopted little sister to avoid causing trouble.
Gray was very strict about this.
After landing, Naoki surveyed the underground space they were in: "This is the Underworld?"
Stone walls surrounded them.
The temperature was extremely low.
There was no light at all, only ghost-like flames floating up and down.
Naoki stood on what felt like a stone bridge, flanked by cliffs on both sides. The bottom of the cliffs was shrouded in darkness, but an intense cold emanated upward.
Not far away stood numerous stone pillars, as if supporting the earth above to create space for the Underworld to avoid collapsing.
This was a dim, lightless world of death.
After carefully sensing the Underworld's atmosphere, Naoki said: "Ishtar, I understand why you said coming here is like suicide. This environment is indeed very hostile to living beings."
The Underworld was the realm of the dead, filled with an overwhelmingly dense aura of death. For living beings, it was a deadly poison. Ordinary people would weaken and die after being here for just a short time.
Only a God and Demi-Servant like Ishtar, or a fairy like Naoki, could move freely here. However, even calling it "freely." Naoki could feel his condition weakening slightly, as if afflicted by a debuff.
(The Underworld's suppression of living beings?)
This was an ironclad rule of the Underworld, one even Naoki couldn't break.
"If that's the case…"
Naoki's clothing emitted a dark gray glow, then transformed into an extravagant black-based dress, giving the impression of a raven.
Ishtar frowned: "What's this?"
"A kind of illusion. Since the Underworld suppresses living beings, I just need to make the Underworld recognize me as dead. This clothing continuously emits the aura of the dead, disguising me as truly deceased. That way, the Underworld's rules won't apply to me."
This was also one application of Self-Modification.
However, this illusion could only counter the Underworld's mechanisms, not necessarily Ereshkigal herself. After all, the mechanisms were inanimate, while a God was alive.
But it was better than nothing. The presence of this clothing could save a lot of trouble.
"Hmph~~~ You're impressive, but you've got a lot of tricks too. Can you make one for me?"
"Huh? What do you want?"
"Just make it, why so many questions!"
Ishtar was truly unreasonable. Even after assimilating with Rin, she was like this. If she used her original personality, Naoki might have obliterated her on the spot.
Even so, Naoki used Imaginary Manifestation to create a women's dress for Ishtar, based on the clothing she was already wearing.
Receiving the dress, Ishtar twirled her finger: "Turn around. I'm changing. Don't peek."
"Honestly, I'm not interested in your flat chest. Your legs are more tempting—Don't suddenly shoot me with Ma'anna!"
"You need to die, you insolent jerk! How dare you say such impudent things to a Goddess like me! You really don't know your place!"
If she didn't know she was no match for the man before her, Ishtar would have blasted him full of holes by now.
(By the way, this guy's aesthetic sense is pretty good. The design of this dress is quite beautiful… but why is there a leg garter? And the stockings are asymmetrical—Is this how future clothing is?)
Ishtar rarely accessed her vessel's memories; she wasn't interested in the future. After all, she couldn't go there. Rather than looking and getting curious, it was better not to look.
So, she didn't know what future clothing was like, but she was certain it wasn't as sensually charged as the dress in her hands.
(In her memories, this guy seems to live a lavish life, often partying with several women. Does that mean this is the kind of clothing he gives to those women for their… activities?)
In a sense, Ishtar's guess was correct, but the truth was reversed.
When it came to clothing, Naoki didn't offer any suggestions. Instead, it was Rei and the others who daily wore some sort of legendary costume to boost his attack speed, armor penetration, and adaptive strength.
"Hey, aren't you done changing yet?"
Naoki's voice rang out.
Glancing at the figure with his back turned, Ishtar snapped her fingers, shedding her minimal clothing and donning the dress in her hands, which perfectly highlighted her features.
Spinning in place to enjoy the dress's actual effect, Ishtar laughed as she assessed it: "Hmm, it feels nice. Your taste in this is pretty good. This dress suits me perfectly."
"Good to hear."
(Hmm, it is beautiful. Though part of it is because Ishtar is already gorgeous, this is indeed a design worthy of Crane's modifications… Truly perfect.)
Especially the delicate black stockings wrapping Ishtar's hips and legs, the garter outside the stockings, and the curves from her thighs to her hips and waist…
(Thank you, Crane.)
Suppressing the praise in his heart without showing it, Naoki said: "Alright, let's continue downward. Ereshkigal is in the deepest part of the Underworld."
"Yeah, but there'll be some unavoidable obstacles along the way. Watch out for yourself. You know my legend in the Underworld—I can barely help you."
"You mean the legend where you were stripped of all your powers and clothing, brought before Ereshkigal, and then stabbed until you were riddled with holes like a beehive?"
*BAM—!*
Naoki's response was to block a magical shot fired by Ishtar in anger and embarrassment.