Apocalypse Cheater-Chapter 1: I’m Back?

[Hi guys. After a hard consideration, I've decided to rewrite this novel as it was such a mess and I hope that this time, I could do better and at some point, this novel will be contacted. Nevertheless, I hope that I can write a better version and you can expect a different protagonist and some major adjustments] 𝚋𝚎𝚍ｎ𝚘ｖ𝚎𝚕.𝚗𝚎𝚝

It might sound insane or unbelievable, but Daniel Bell for some unknown reason has travelled back to the past unknowingly after dying in the future.

"I'm back!? How in the world could this happen?"

Daniel's heart pounding in his chest, as he stared incredulously at the mirror in his dimly lit room.

It was as if he had stepped into an alternate reality, his mind struggling to grasp the inexplicable change that had taken place.

In the reflection, a healthy and vibrant 18-year-old boy stared back at him, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief.

His fingers trembled as he reached out to touch the mirror, half-expecting his hand to pass through some sort of illusion.

But the cool, solid surface confirmed his existence.

At the moment, his emotions were in chaos.

There were regrets and confusion but mostly, there was a deep hatred that could never be washed away.

Nevertheless, he calmed himself before comprehending his situation.

First of all, he has mysteriously travelled 20 years back into the past.

But this wasn't a major problem because, in a week, an unknown entity would appear, and that would be the prologue of the catastrophic events.

"Although I don't know how in the world I've come to the past," Daniel murmured.

The circumstances were confounding, but the opportunity before him was crystal clear.

"With this chance, I'm given, I won't let it be wasted away and this time..." His voice grew fierce.

"I would kill those Divine Bastards!" He declared.

His fingers curled into tight fists, nails digging into his palm as if to channel his hatred.

As he stared into the mirror, his vision blurred.

Droplets of tears streamed down his cheeks.

He finally let out all the pain he'd been holding onto for a long time.

All of his past mistakes and regrets seemed to reappear.

But in this strange moment, he saw an opportunity to change the course of his life.

To take back the future that had been stolen from him.

Eventually, he wiped away his tears and felt a sense of caution.

"I need to tread carefully," he thought, his forehead wrinkling in deep thought.

He understood that messing with history, even with good intentions, could have unintended consequences for the present time.

The idea of the Butterfly Effect worried him.

As he breathed out, he reinforced his plan.

"The only thing I have going for me is what I know," he said quietly.

His most powerful tool was his knowledge of the future, stronger than anything else.

He clenched his fist, showing his determination to use this advantage wisely.

But as he thought more, a feeling of guilt struck his heart.

It was the fragile connection between him and his mother.

He felt heavy with unsaid words, lost chances, and deep regret.

The image of her face, filled with love and pain, stayed with him like a ghost.

Daniel had a tough life since he was little. He was abandoned and often didn't have enough food.

Then, by a surprising twist of fate, his mother, who had left him, came back.

He couldn't forgive her for leaving, no matter how much she tried to make amends.

But everything changed when the Apocalypse came.

At some point in his life when he discovered the truth and realized how much she had done for him, it was too late for Daniel to accept her love.

And it was one of his regrets, perhaps, the most hurtful one.

'If only I didn't indulge myself in my hatred and my ego, I wouldn't have that let happen'

He gritted his teeth over his foolishness of hatred.

And the Apocalypse reminded him how much he hated those 'Divine' bastards.

Once again, his hatred towards these beings could be seen in his eyes.

'Even when I hated her to the core she still protected me and sacrificed her life for me...but I realized it all too late...but now! I won't let that foolishness overtake me'

Now, with this opportunity, he decided to make things right and wouldn't repeat the same history.

He would change his cowardice and his acceptance towards his mother, and most importantly, he would undo what he couldn't do.

*Knock*

"Sweety, Mom has cooked some food for you...Do you want to eat with me...?"

There was a voice, nervous and mature, quivered from beyond the door while carrying a fragile hope.

Usually, his silence was his answer, a sign of the distance between them.

But something he had changed now.

It pushed him to repair their broken relationship, to reach out for reconciliation.

"Give me a moment, I'll be there soon,"

He said with a shaky voice, wanting to close and end his past grudges.

"!!?"

Her body jolted in surprise as she didn't expect this outcome.

"I-I'll go and prepare now!"

In excitement, she quickly dashed to the kitchen where she prepared all of the dishes and foods on the table.

On the other hand, there were chefs, butlers and even maids aiding her.

"All of you, quickly prepare the table for me and my son, and don't make any mistake!''

She warned and in an instant, her voice was cold and although she was smiling, they knew that if they made a mistake, perhaps, the outcome wouldn't be pleasant.

Well, but who could blame her for being cautious as there's never been a chance for her to spend time with her child?

Hence, knowing that her son had agreed to eat with her, she feared mistakes as she's afraid that would make her son retreat.

'W-What should I say? How do I open up a conversation with him? S-Should I ask him about his school or how he's doing? Nonono, that isn't it. Maybe something he wants...?'

She walked forth and back due to the pressure and in the end.

In the end, she quickly jumbled up everything and waited for his appearance at the kitchen table where all kinds of food were made.

The food recipes were indeed made by her, but the ones who prepared them were the chefs in the kitchen.

She had bought a mansion for her son and her to live in and with such a massive house, she hired some maids or butlers to overlook the house.

Minutes later, Daniel eventually came down and sat down in one of the chairs while impressed by the aromatic food and elegant utensils.

'Now that I see it, I was truly foolish to miss out on such opportunities from such grand food'

Daniel thought with sparkling eyes on the food.

At the same time, he was a bit emotional and regretful for not enjoying moments like this in the past.

Noticing his eyes, Daniel's mother, Leila Bell smiled widely.

She felt satisfied and proud witnessing her son's smiling for the first time.

"W-Well sweety, you can go help yourself and dig in, and don't hesitate to ask for more"

She nervously urged him who sat opposite in her direction.

With that, half an hour passed since they began eating while the maids and butlers stood patiently at the side waiting for them to finish.

Since then, neither of them ever spoke a word or engaged in any conversation.

It's not because they were ignoring it, but how awkward they were to both of them.

While Leila is too nervous and afraid of any slight errors in her words, Daniel despite having accepted her love in his heart, couldn't find the words to start a conversation.

Thus, their words were stuck in their throat.

'Well, it's now or never'

With such a decision, he took a deep breath before letting out his thoughts and the truth of his feelings.

"Mom..." He called out.

"Yes, sweety!"

She excitedly answered, but noticing his seriousness, she felt the situation become tense and she became wary of that.

"After living with me for all these 5 years, you must have already known why I hated you...right?"

"Yes..."

She faced her head down with heavy shoulders and lots of pain in her heart.

"I have no idea who took care of me before I could even walk,"

He said with a trembling voice, carrying a mix of emotions from his untold story.

"But what I do know is that I grew up in the poorest area, where finding even a bit of food meant searching in the garbage, and every day was a tough battle just to survive."

"Of course, these were just a few of the incredibly tough challenges I faced every day,"

He added, his voice showing he had accepted this reality.

Leila's eyes filled with tears, her heart hurting as she tried to understand the depth of his suffering.

She could sense the sharp edges of his pain, each word cutting through her own emotions.

His past didn't just touch her heart; it tore her heart into pieces.