Chapter 123 – Mother.

Chapter 123 – Mother.

Memories floated around me. Memories of when I was born, my first bath, the first time I received a gift, the first time I rode a bike, the first time I broke my arm... Memories I had forgotten.

And even the memories of when my mother discovered her cancer and bravely fought until she was cured. That memory I had completely erased. I was still a child, but I suffered a lot during that time.

Thankfully, everything turned out fine.

But back then, my mother changed.

I don't know if it was because of the illness or the medication, but she started to care less and less about me. Maybe it was just my impression, but we slowly drifted apart.

But my father was different. We remained close until I finished high school.

That's when I started working, and my father began saying things like, "You need to move out," or "You need to start a family." But I was too young for that, you know? Honestly, I still am.

And that's how my relationship with my parents kept getting worse.

After I got fired from my last job as a cook, I felt like they had lost the last bit of hope they had in me as their son and began treating me as a failure.

But I didn't care much about that.

I drowned myself in literature and Japanese anime and didn't care what they thought of me.

Even if they had no hope for my future, I still believe my parents had some love for me since they didn't let me starve or kick me out of the house. I'm very grateful to them for that...

These memories are all so vivid.

Every time I walked through the dark room and "bumped" into a memory, I would relive the entire thing in just a second.

"And these are the memories from after I disappeared."

I was drawn to an image of my mother—she has black hair and blue eyes, just like me. We look quite similar. Despite her age and the illness she faced, she has a youthful appearance.

She has tears in her eyes and is sitting on the bed in my bedroom. Yes, it's my bedroom. "Is it still there?"

Is the room I'm sleeping in now a copy created by the system?

So strange...

I want to return, but I don't want to leave the world of Danmachi. I have so many things to do and so many characters to meet. I'm about to have a child with Hestia.

I can't go now.

But would the God who brought me to this world even let me go back?

Why did God show me all of this?

"Why did you show me this? What can I do to help?! I can't do anything!" I shouted to the sky. All the images moved far away, and I felt a cold chill run through my body.

Slowly, a light appeared above my head in the dark sky.

"Is it ending? Am I going back?! Hey, I want to know if my mom is going to be okay! I want to know how the rest of my family is! I had friends too, you know? Give me more time!"

Even though it felt like I'd been in this place for a long time, only a few minutes had passed. I didn't get to see enough, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to return.

Damn it!

Then.

"Luan? Are you okay?!" I heard Hestia's voice. Her tone was full of worry.

"..."

I opened my eyes, and Lili and Hestia were looking at me.

Then, I noticed the tears running down my cheeks.

"Why are you crying?" Hestia asked, worried.

"Are you in pain somewhere? Did you get hurt? What happened?" Lili showed her concern.

Then, I smiled at both of them.

"It's okay, I just had a bad dream."

I said I was fine, but I couldn't get the image of my mother crying in my room out of my mind.