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 hadpletely 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 rtionship with my parents kept getting worse.


    After I got fired from myst job as a cook, I felt like they had lost thest 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 ck hair and blue eyes, just like me. We look quite simr. 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 brought my hand up to the image of my mother. My hand trembled with nervousness.


    When I touched it, I was transported to my room. I don''t know when this memory is from; it could be from today or a month ago—maybe the day I disappeared.


    But I can say one thing...


    My mother is deeply shaken.


    I looked around, and everything was as it should be. Even the volumes of Danmachi I had taken from the "fake bedroom" shelf were there. My mother and father hadn''t touched my room since I disappeared.


    Throughout the whole memory, my mother didn''t say a word.


    She stayed in my bed, looking around, crying silently. I could feel the anguish in her tears. My heart began to ache, and I started to cry too.


    Tears streamed down my face, and my body trembled.


    "So my mother did care about me."


    I approached the bed and tried to touch her hair. To my surprise, I was able to. I stroked her hair and face as I said, "I''m okay, Mom. Maybe one day we''ll meet again. I hope you and Dad will be fine until I return."


    This is just a memory; my mother won''t hear any of this, but somehow, it''sforting.


    ####


    A lot has happened since I came to the world of Danmachi.


    My grandmother passed away in this short period, my father got sick and recovered, and my mother fell into a deep depression and is getting treatment. So many unnecessary things were shown.


    Why do I say they''re unnecessary?


    Because I''m not there to help.


    I would have preferred to stay unaware of everything happening with my family. I''m starting to feel guilty for not being by their side. And my mother fell into depression because of me.


    This would never have happened if I hadn''t been brought to this world.


    Damn, this is so hard.


    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 ce 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.