Now, what am I supposed to do?

Confusion and fear were plaguing me, only intensifying the urgency and pressure to clarify the events of the past weeks. My conversation with Lola had failed to shed much light on the situation.

My memories appeared to be a perplexing blend of reality and fantasy.

So many things had happened, one more astonishing than the other. Starting with my unexpected journey as a singer, followed by the chaotic episode in the army hospital, and eventually culminating in a fantastical realm with harpies and a rejuvenating water source.

Yet, if I were to strip away the elements of pure fantasy, anything involving magic, what remained were still extraordinary occurrences. I could label them as "realistic fantasy." However, if I were to discard those aspects as well, there would be almost nothing left.

So, what was the true account of events? Were my recollections a distorted reflection of the truth, or were they partially, or worse, completely fabricated?

Unfortunately, I hadn't involved Lola much in recent endeavors, so it was clear why she was not able to be of much help.

Where should I even begin to unravel this nightmare?

It was as if I were trying to reconstitute the deeds of a foreign person. One point that did give me some courage was that Lola did not complain about me behaving like a lunatic, so at least I was not acting obviously crazy.

Where do I start with the inspection of this unknown Dolores? As I was lying on my back in my bed, my eyes fell on the big wooden armoire as I glanced to my right.

That's a good starting point! - I thought to myself.

I rose from my bed and opened the wardrobe, and to my surprise, I discovered a collection of items that didn't belong there. I recognized them from the game, but why were they present in my real-life wardrobe?

Among them was a dress, an enchanting purple dress that caught my eye immediately. My heart raced as I reached out to touch it, marveling at its exquisite quality. The fabric, whether satin or something akin to it, was simply divine. And the cut of the dress was truly remarkable.

Without a second thought, I decided to try it on. After all, it was in my own wardrobe, so it must be permissible, right? As I slipped into the dress, it looked absolutely splendid, although it was slightly too large for me. I didn't quite fill it out as I should have, and the length seemed a tad excessive, but that wasn't a major concern. The same applied to the pair of shoes that accompanied the dress. I had seen such shoes in Dreamland, but I never dreamed about having something like them in my real life. As I stood there swimming in those shoes, dressed in a larger dress, and looking into the mirror, I remembered the time when I was trying on my mother's shoes and dress, a touch of nostalgia accompanying the moment.

I sighed, undressing the robe. Either my memory was accurate, and I used to be slightly taller with more pronounced curves, or... these items were cosplay materials that I had purchased from a taller girl.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

I let out a frustrated snort as the dress failed to magically adjust to my figure. In Dreamland, there were tailors who could use magic to perfectly tailor any garment to fit your body. They even had scrolls with spells specifically for that purpose, although their effectiveness was limited. But unfortunately, such conveniences didn't exist in the real world...

This pretty dress and shoes will remain confined to my wardrobe...

Next, I picked up a leather suit. This must be Cala's leather suit. The smoothness and quality of the leather were surprising, almost as if it were crafted from some exotic Dreamland crocodile. I know Cala's suit is made of the skin of an exotic crocodile.

I rolled my eyes, wondering what the results of a DNA analysis would reveal.

Fuck, did I really imagine it all? But how did these clothes end up in my wardrobe?

Next to the suit, I noticed a pair of boots made from snakeskin. OK, I know they were made out of some Dreamland snakes I killed almost a year ago. The leather was exquisite, unlike anything I had ever touched before. How did I manage to acquire such fine boots?

Both the boots and the leather suit were slightly oversized.

I carefully sat on the edge of my bed, holding one of the boots in my hand. I couldn't resist examining it, marveling at its flawless craftsmanship and the comforting smoothness it exuded. But as my gaze lifted, I caught sight of the belt. It was a wide belt with three leather straps, and there, attached to it, was my inventory box. My Mephisto inventory box! My heart seemed to freeze momentarily, and then it began pounding in my chest, racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Could it be? This small box held the potential to validate my perception of reality. If it truly worked, then what did that mean? Was my memory accurate? Did magic truly exist? The answers I sought were within my grasp, waiting to be unlocked.

I hesitated, unsure if I had the courage to touch it. Gathering my resolve, I reached out. The fear made me close my eyes as I let my fingers make contact with the leather surface. I could feel its texture beneath my touch.

Slowly, I opened my eyes, hoping to witness something extraordinary. But to my dismay, there was nothing. A sense of disappointment washed over me instead of the elation I had anticipated.

It was just a small leather box, too compact even for my mobile phone. There was no opening, no hidden compartments or menus to explore. It simply existed as a diminutive leather box with a tiny space inside where I could store my ID and a bit of cash. Nothing more. I could even bend it due to its elastic nature.

As I released my grip on the box, my heartbeat gradually returned to a steady rhythm, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of a letdown that filled me.

I let out a sigh of resignation, accepting the answer before me. It became apparent that I had purchased these items for cosplay purposes. The only question that lingered now was how did I afford them? Had I taken out a loan, or were they surprisingly inexpensive? It didn't make sense within the confines of my usual budget. Perhaps, the material wasn't genuine leather at all but rather some form of plastic. Yes, that seemed like a plausible explanation to reconcile the situation.

OK, that and the fact that I did not remember when and how I bought them...

How could this shit happen to me?

Should I talk with Lola about this? Should I call my parents?

No. I already thought about that and decided not to.

Lola would blame it on drugs, and my parents would send me to a hospital.

Well, Dolores, let's not get discouraged. It's time to continue my research journey. Maybe knowing more about what I did would help.

First, I should pay a visit to Matt. Unfortunately, all my contacts are stored in my phone, which is currently in his possession, if my memory serves me right. So, making a phone call to him might be a bit tricky. However, since it's a holiday, there's a good chance I'll find him at home, eventually with the rest of the band.

I decided to dress in practical attire for the journey ahead. I opted for a pair of comfortable blue jeans, a blouse, a jacket, and a sturdy pair of sports shoes. If I was going to walk a certain distance to reach his place, I wanted to ensure I was comfortable for the journey.