The Underworld

Deep within the Underworld, the realm of the dead, lies a chilling and silent void. And in the depths of the Underworld, a golden figure is hurrying about.

"Oh, why are you coming so soon? No, there are still so many things here that haven't been settled."

Isn't the road to the Underworld too monotonous? It definitely needs some repairs, but I don't have any flowers to decorate it.

Is it too late to carve those stones into flowers now?

The golden figure paced anxiously back and forth, while a golden, furry creature behind it asked in a voice:

"Impossible, Ereshkigal. With your current strength, you cannot perform such delicate tasks."

Upon hearing the creature's words, Ereshkigal turned around and said, "Well, I mean, you should do it, Dumuzi."

The golden sheep Dumuzi, said weakly, "How merciless! Are you serious? I'm just a sheep."

"Ah, yeah, I'm really useless."

Ereshkigal some disgust, but the next moment he squatted down, clutching his head and wailing, "Isn't that the end of us?!"

"Calm down. Ultimately, you're enemies now. While I understand you were quite fond of this outsider's soul during your live broadcast in Tezcatlipoca, that's not the attitude you should have towards an enemy."

Hearing Dumuzi's calm words, Ereshkigal remained unfazed, tossing her long golden hair and confidently stating:

"How could that be? Given the current situation, the best outcome for humanity is for them all to come to my Underworld. Once he realizes this, he will definitely become my companion."

Suddenly, Ereshkigal stopped and said, "Damn it, they've already arrived? Oh well, whatever, Dumuzi, at least fill the hall with flower carvings, that's an order!"

"By my hooves? Ereshkigal, are you awake?"

Ignoring Dumuzi's protests, the goddess of the Underworld closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

Dumuzi could only lie down helplessly, but the next moment he saw a figure disappear into the darkness. His right leg was half solid and half unreal, and he arrived at the deepest part of the Underworld Hall without anyone noticing.

Dumuzi: "Oh, shit."

On the other side, Bai Mo couldn't help but shiver.

Ishtar, looking at Bai Mo's appearance, asked with some confusion, "What's wrong? Even though it's your first time in the Underworld, you shouldn't be like this. Are you cold?"

"No, it's just that I had this uneasy feeling. I'm afraid our opponent has made some significant progress."

Bai Mo shook his head, then glanced at Ishtar with some confusion. Generally speaking, Ishtar wasn't the type to care about people like this. For some reason, he suddenly felt that Ishtar's demeanor had changed.

"Sigh, that's how the Underworld is, cold and damp. If only there were the warmth of the sun."

Ishtar walked away, talking to herself, and Bai Mo and she arrived at a pale blue clearing. In the small cell, pale blue soul flames were slowly burning.

"Alas, the words of these souls are completely imperceptible; I wonder if they even feel the cold..."

Looking at Ishtar, Bai Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. She didn't look like the goddess at all. She was like a tour guide, tirelessly explaining things to him.

This guy isn't Ishtar.

But seeing that she didn't seem hostile at all, Bai Mo didn't want to expose her. She appeared to be someone he could communicate with, and if they could talk, Bai Mo hoped to resolve the matter without fighting.

Rather, it's more like I've finally met a goddess I can talk to.

But she's still a goddess after all, so let's at least go along with her for now.

"Speaking of which, where do the souls of those who have recently died usually go?"

Upon hearing Bai Mo's question, Ishtar replied with interest, "Those who have recently died are usually taken to the very bottom by Galla Spirits for trial."

A while ago, souls fell one after another, almost filling the main hall to capacity, and even several passageways were blocked.

Listening to Ishtar complain to him, like a seasoned office worker, about the difficulties of working in the Underworld, Bai Mo's lips twitched.

"You even know so much about the situation in the Underworld recently?"

Upon hearing this, Ishtar stopped talking, a bead of cold sweat trickling down her forehead.

Oh no, I haven't spoken to anyone outside for so long, I got a little carried away. I should have practiced with the stone first.

Take a deep breath, it's okay, I'll use my goddess's wisdom to fool everyone here.

"Haha, after all, quite a few people died in the previous period, so this kind of thing is to be expected..."

The voice grew softer and softer, and "Ishtar" sounded like a severely socially awkward person being pushed onto the stage to perform a stand-up comedy routine, plunging the entire audience into a somewhat suffocating awkwardness.

"I see. You really do love humanity. You even care about the souls of the dead. Have you even overcome your past psychological traumas?"

Bai Mo's words relieved her, and she quickly returned to her previous state.

"That's right, after all, it's the final destination of life, so we have to see it through to the end no matter what..."

Ah... this is definitely not something Ishtar would say.

She inwardly groaned, then quickly changed the subject, pointing to the gate not far away and saying:

"Compared to this, that is the gate to the Underworld. If you answer the questions posed by the Underworld incorrectly, you will be judged by the Underworld."

You'd better think about how to deal with this later.

"Ishtar" quickly arrived at the gate with Bai Mo. The stone gate blocked the way, but the surrounding walls were completely unobstructed. Bai Mo frowned and said:

"Can't we just go around it? It's not like we can't fly."

After saying that, Bai Mo turned to walk around.

"That's impossible, the rules of the Underworld must be followed here... How could you have actually gone there!"

Bai Mo was a player who used the levitation ability in the game, and bypassed the door to get to the back.

"Alright, come over here too."

"Oh no, how could this happen..."

Ishtar lowered her head, trying to go around it, but the next moment the door shone brightly, and a bolt of lightning struck her directly.

"Quack!"

Upon seeing this, Bai Mo immediately went back and found "Ishtar" lying on the ground, her body charred black and seemingly powerless.

Ishtar, are you alright?

Bai Mo tried to help her up, but she slammed her fist hard on the floor, making the entire platform tremble.

"Damn it... how could this happen!"

"Um, maybe you've been here before. Never mind. Let's just go."

Bai Mo activated Cellular Regeneration to heal her injuries, but both of them knew that something was wrong.

This is like the homeowner being attacked by an identity-verified robot vacuum cleaner in their own house—it's utterly absurd.

The two stood before the stone gate, which began to glow.

Ishtar was secretly pleased. She had already set up the questions. Although the tour was short, it was enough for him to realize the difference between Ishtar and Ereshkigal.

Although the process was full of twists and turns, the goal was achieved! This is my victory!

Who is more beautiful Ishtar or Ereshkigal? The question she had prepared for herself was already echoing in her mind.

"The dead deserve peace, and so do soldiers who have experienced the ravages of war. If those around them only bring annoyance, then it is a form of torture."

"Ishtar":?

This question is completely different from what she set up! What happened?!

Ishtar's eyes widened, and she cried out in her heart, "Why are these accidents happening one after another?!"

Dumuzi, what are you doing?!

But the voice showed no sign of stopping and continued:

"Therefore, you who wish to go to the Underworld, answer this: With whom have you found true peace?"

After saying that, the voice added another sentence.

"Women only."