NABC Chapter 157: Chapter 157 - A Shared Sorrow
Chapter 157: Chapter 157 - A Shared Sorrow
Chapter 157: - A Shared Sorrow
Ivana released her embrace from Broken, forcing a wan smile on her face as she wiped away the tears streaking her cheeks and eyes. Taking a deep breath, she looked up. "I'm sorry..." she paused for a moment, her voice trembling, "...thank you."
Broken acknowledged her words with a gentle nod. Then, they both turned back to face the two tombstones standing silently before them.
"Gale is..." Broken murmured hesitantly, still uncertain how to broach the topic. His mind raced with confusion and curiosity. Thirty years? Could it be that Ivana isn't Gia and Gale's biological daughter? If not, then who is she?
"Was he your father?" he finally asked.
Ivana slowly shifted her gaze from the tombstones to Broken and shook her head solemnly. "Gia raised me from a child, even though I'm not her biological child. I've always considered her my mother," she said softly.
Taken aback by her revelation, Broken turned to see her face, now bathed in the golden warmth of the setting sun. He was struck by the gravity of her confession and the weight of
her past.
"Yes..." she continued, her voice quivering slightly, "I don't know who my real parents are..." Broken nodded, absorbing this new truth. The realization intensified his own pain, knowing that he and his sister also lost their parents under mysterious circumstances. They spent years in uncertainty, not knowing if their parents were alive or dead. Their bodies were never found, their whereabouts a lingering question. This mutual sorrow gave him a deep empathy for Ivana, who grew up not knowing her own parents.
"You don't need to worry about me, okay," she said, offering him a reassuring smile.
Broken shook his head, not knowing what else to say. He glanced away, his heart heavy with guilt. Unable to do more than nod sympathetically, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the evening air. After a few moments, he turned back to her.
"Shall we head back? The night is drawing near," he suggested softly.
Ivana nodded slowly, and they began their descent down the slope. Broken gently took Ivana's hand in his, providing her with a small comfort. She turned to him, her lips curling into a soft smile.
The sun set in the hazy sky, casting golden hues as they walked in comfortable silence.
Having more allies would undeniably be advantageous, especially since Broken was well aware that he couldn't achieve much on his own. The assistance he received from Freya had already proved invaluable, and having more help would be immensely beneficial.
Moreover, exploring and engaging in more monster hunts would also allow Ivana to grow and develop further. As a Special NPC, the potential she could unlock in the future remained an
exciting mystery.
Broken nodded slowly, absorbing the gravity of Fokil's request. "I'll leave this decision to her, sir. If she's willing to come with me, then I have no objections."
Fokil nodded in return, a rare smile breaking across his weathered face. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "I have high hopes for you both."
There remained one thing that lingered persistently in his mind. Broken felt the urge to uncover the true identity of Ivana. For some reason, his curiosity about this matter had deepened, especially after discovering that Ivana had suddenly transformed into a Special NPC.
"Sir, regarding Ivana... there's something I need to ask you," he stated.
"What is it?"
"Did you know that Ivana is adopted?"
Fokil furrowed his brows momentarily. "Yes..." he replied. "I don't fully understand the whole story, but yes... Gia adopted her when she was around... four or five years old." Broken nodded thoughtfully at the response. "Do you know how she was adopted, or any information about her real parents?"
Fokil paused, his eyes reflecting a distant search within his memory.
"No, kid... unfortunately, I can't help you with that. I don't have any information about her biological parents."
That was all the information Broken could glean from Fokil, and it didn't seem nearly enough. But then, how important was it to know who Ivana's real parents were? Did she care about it? Did she ever wonder about it herself?
Broken logged out of the game and logged back in the next day. He set out for the plaza to replenish his supplies and sell some items that he didn't need. His inventory space was limited compared to those who had surpassed level 100 or even level 200, so he had to manage his items carefully, making sure to retain the materials necessary for crafting.
As he and Ivana had planned, they were to meet that morning in the central plaza. He eagerly anticipated hearing her final decision on how she intended to proceed with her life from this point forward.