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.
At that moment, Broken noticed a notification on his system, indicating that Ivana’s affinity towards him had risen to 68%.
***
Broken then made his way back to Fokil’s Smithy, proudly displaying his Legendary-grade knuckles to the Master blacksmith.
Fokil extended an arm, giving Broken a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You’ve really been pushing beyond your limits, haven’t you, kid?” he remarked, his voice a blend of admiration and concern. “So, what’s your next plan?”
“There’s a lot on my plate, but I plan to seize every opportunity that comes my way. I’ll take it slow and steady, just like always.” His tone grew even more resolute, “Craft more items, and gather more power.”
“I’m thrilled to see that fire in you,” Fokil said. “I knew I made the right choice by passing down the Blacksmith class to you.”
“I’m deeply indebted to you, sir.”
“You’ve dedicated yourself to this craft,” Fokil continued. “If you can keep creating more Legendary-grade items, that alone would make me very happy.”
The two of them slowly made their way to a sturdy wooden table and took a seat on chairs that creaked under their weight. Fokil took a moment, contemplating his next words before finally speaking.
“So, about Ivana… Can I ask you a favor?”
“Ivana…” Broken’s voice trailed off as he pondered. “What can I do to help, sir?” he inquired.
“She is a kind girl,” Fokil began, his voice tinged with a mix of fondness and concern. “Her smile never leaves her face, and everyone knows her as someone cheerful and always willing to help others without expecting anything in return. With her skill as an expert chef, she could easily secure a comfortable life at the palace. But she chose to stay here for Gia.”
Fokil paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “But since Gia’s death, she seems to have lost herself.” He took a deep breath as if gathering the strength to go on. “I know she has something special in her, something that could be beneficial to you in the future. So, I’m certain it would be very helpful if you invited her to join you in your adventures.”
“Can I ask you to let her follow you?” Fokil’s face was etched with worry. “She has no one left in this town, and I’m afraid I can’t do anything more for her.”
Ivana had previously mentioned to Broken that she wanted to embark on adventures, explore new horizons, and do many things. She even confided in him that, if given the chance, she’d like to join him on his journeys. Knowing that she possessed a combat class and could at least defend herself had gradually reduced his initial doubts.
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.