''Uhm... So... What is this?''

After almost an hour of navigating the underground pipe roads, we finally reach something resembling a town above. Our clothes are drenched with sweat, and it's so sexy—ahem, it's so uncomfortable—that we can barely resist changing our outfits right away.

I swear, if it weren't for the defense magical formulas below, I would have been using ice magic from the beginning...

In any case, just like what Belia said, this place is indeed an underground city. I can feel another layer besides this one. The majority of the infrastructure here is somewhat steampunk-like, which I like a lot.

It's not particularly dirty or smelly either, so the only problem is...

Why can't we find anyone...?

As I scan around once more, the streets are still empty, and light is practically nonexistent here. It took us quite a while to put on our disguises, yet...

''Hah... Regardless.'' I turn back to my partners, who now seem like ordinary women. ''Let's split out. If there's anything, send it in the group chat, alright?''

Our group chat is full of dickpics and sex tapes that we sent for research purposes and for edging Anna in particular, but that should be fine.

''Here!'' Liana raises her hand. ''Can I call you?''

''Sure. I might not be able to answer every time, but still.''

''...?''

What is that face? What did I miss?

Well, whatever.

''I wish you all luck!'' I salute. ''Now, disperse!''

'''' Roger! ''''

Immediately, I jump into Emy's embrace, and we head right in a direction. Quickly passing through building after building, I extend my mana sense, searching for any and all notable points of interest.

''Hm...?''

''What's wrong?''

''No, no, there's no one here, but...'' As Emy raises her guard, I intervene. ''These houses. All of them. They aren't meant for living.''

''What?''

''They're all filled with copper pipes again.'' I continue. ''Really weird stuff.''

''Mhm...''

''For now, let's keep going.''

The more we zoom through the city, the more we realize that this place is quite vast. After a whole hour of relentless running from the athletic freak Emy, we barely cover a fraction of it.

Still, this style of ghost houses appearing is consistent, at least. The reports from the other four are the same.

''What the hell are they using these pipes for...?!''

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Liana raises her eyebrow, peeking into a house's window. A huge pipe runs through the whole house's length, completely eating away everything.

''Sariel, do you have an explanation?''

When I turn to Sariel, the local dragoness smiles elegantly and nods.

''Fortunately, the last time I visited Atlas was only a bit before I got trapped.'' She begins. ''The Mermaid Queen is trying to build something big. In her words—dreamy—that's the gist of it, and hence why these things.''

''Dreamy...?''

''Though, I did not remember there being this much of them. This area was originally a residence area, you see.''

''I can guess that, yeah.''

''If you want to get to the root of this, I suggest going up to the 'ground.' The pipes lead up, in case you didn't notice.''

''...Why didn't you say so earlier?''

''A bit of an adventure is fun, I thought.''

I inevitably let out a sigh, facing the smiling Sariel. This woman is so flicky at times... Well, I suppose it's good she doesn't demand that stuff every time I ask her something.

''Lizard bastard.''

Liana cusses. Though, she still has to cooperate with Sariel this time...

Climbing up to the surface following Sariel, we eventually reach a huge revolving door that seems suitable for containing dragons or the like.

Opening this for me is easy, yet trying to conceal the act is quite bothersome.

The solution?

Magic. No, not the usual magic. I'm talking about divine power.

Back in the trial world, I once asked Eva if I could learn her portal skills, and she blurted out everything and more right away. What a great woman.

''Leave this to me.''

Confidently, I step up. Using my now meager divine power, I slowly and carefully open a human-sized warp gate connecting this place to the one behind the door.

''Let's go.''

As I can't maintain this for long, we quickly jump in regardless. Popping out to the other side, a faint metal smell greets me first. Then, I open my eyes to a smooth cyan ground, and upon looking up, colorful lights fill my vision.

In front of me right now is the very definition of a glamorous city. Buildings are higher and more modern than usual, while mana lamps, ones that look quite stylish, fill the streets. In the distance, light sources of various colors are shot wildly into the night sky, looking like a huge disco.

''Look at that...''

More than anything, attached to the very top of the sphere is an imitation of the moon. It is quite big, radiating light just enough for everyday activities, and somehow, it looks even better than the real one.

I mean, it spins, and small rocks and such surround it, adding to the ambiance.

Nevertheless, we are absolutely new here, so I decide to conceal us using illusion magic for the moment. A quick look around tells me that I have probably made the right decision.

Right now, our disguises are similar to ordinary human disguises, and these dudes are clearly not human at all. If they were somewhat similar, it would be fine, but this...

As I stare at the three tunas holding books passing through, the octopus with a pair of glasses melting into the bench, and the jellyfish fixing the street lamp, I quietly remind myself not to trust the Mermaid Queen ever again.

''Hey, I don't want to become like those.''

Right then, Liana speaks up.

''Me neither.''

''Not me as well.''

''Uhm... I mean, I wouldn't want to...''

One by one, we unanimously agree that turning into octopuses and such is not acceptable. I mean, I don't hate octopuses or anything—

''If we have to, I'd say octopuses are the best.'' Anna giggles. ''Sylvia likes it.''

''...''

It's not wrong. But even if Anna turns into one, I won't let her do me anyway. Not until the others finish.

Back in the real world, we stand in the corner, contemplating the solution to this problem. It takes quite a while for us to decide on octopuses, but then, a few people on the street catch our attention.

They have a slight cyan skin tone, with fins growing out of their ears and sides, but more than anything, they look quite human. We can definitely use this.

''What do you think?''

When Tina utters those words, our reluctant desire to turn into octopuses immediately vanishes. After all, being human, or at least human-like, is the best.

After turning ourselves to fit the image, we bide farewell to each other and disperse again, with each duo going a separate way.

Thinking about the seed in my possession, a feeling akin to excitement suddenly creeps up inside my heart. Maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of a memorable adventure for all of us.

Turns out that premonition is true.

A mere thirty minutes into the search—

''...We need a child with each other??''

I tilt my head in absolute confusion.

''Let's do it right away. The sooner, the better.''

And Emy is already thinking about whether she wants triplets or quadruplets.