Legendary Broken Player - VRMMORPG

Chapter 156: Chapter 156 - Ivana's Secret Pain

Chapter 156: - Ivana's Secret Pain



Ivana stood beside Broken as he explained the plan to the others.

"Broken," Booba was the first to respond. "I want to come with you. There's no way I can let you go alone, you know."

"No, Booba. I'll move faster on my own, so you don't need to come. I promise I'll catch up soon enough."

Elincia then spoke up. "Are you sure, Broken? We would all feel much safer if you weren't traveling alone. I can come along too if needed; I can travel quickly as well."

"No, I don't think that's necessary. Polly can run fast, and I'm confident I can catch up and meet you within a day. Besides, Ivana will be with me, so you can rest easy. She's over level 200 and more than capable of protecting me," he tried to reassure them.

After hearing his explanation, everyone agreed to head to the capital first, while Broken would take a detour to Deadbay City with Ivana.

To save time, Broken and Ivana quickly left the village, riding Polly. The white fox darted swiftly across the barren desert roads, Broken seated in front while Ivana clung tightly behind him.

The two sat in thick silence, neither daring to break it. Then, unexpectedly, Ivana's voice cut through the tension.

"Broken... May I hug you from behind?" she asked with a soft chuckle.

Broken couldn't help but sigh. "It's okay, though. This will be a long journey, so make sure you feel comfortable."

"I mean, I'm sleepy," she yawned, "so I wish I could sleep holding onto you." As if on cue, she immediately wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek on his back.

"I enjoy journeys like this," she then said.

"What kind of journeys?"

"The quieter ones."

Broken pondered for a moment about her mention of "quieter." He knew Ivana as someone cheerful and always friendly with everyone. But even someone as sociable and cheerful as she needed some peace and quiet, didn't they?

He decided not to delve further. Perhaps she missed her mother? After all, his detour to Deadbay City was also to meet Fokil, and Ivana was returning home. Although she had expressed interest in joining him on the journey to the capital.

He could feel Ivana's cheek against his back as Polly continued to sprint with all her might. The sound of the wind blew gently, with only the rhythmic pounding of Polly's paws breaking the silence.

Every now and then, he heard a faint whimper coming from Ivana. He pondered if she was crying and felt a strong urge to ask her what was wrong. However, he found himself unable to form the words.

Is Ivana crying? Or am I just hearing things? he thought.

Ivana then turned back to Broken, watching his face for a moment. A thin smile appeared on her face, although her cheeks were still visibly wet with tears. "I was going to tell you this," she said. "I guess I'm too late now, you've found out on your own."

Ivana lowered her head, unable to hold back her tears any longer. "Because of her death, I wanted to become an adventurer, a shielder, so I could protect those I care about and do more for them," she said, her voice clearly breaking.

Broken hesitated for a moment before gently placing his hand on her left shoulder, slowly pulling her closer. She sobbed as she leaned her forehead against his chest. "I don't know

what to do anymore," she said.

"You're an adventurer now, right?" he replied gently.

Still sobbing, tears continued to fall from her eyes. "I tried to become a chef so I could make the best food for her, to help her get healthier... but I couldn't even make something that would keep her alive longer," she said, still regretting what had happened.

Broken then slowly wrapped his arms around Ivana as she continued to sob, her tears soaking

his shoulder.

"You did your best... Ivana," he whispered.

Ivana continued, her voice shaking with sobs, "I wanted to do more for her... to repay all the kindness she gave me. I miss her so much."

Tears streamed down her face as she added, "I'm all alone now... I didn't know it would be this hard to go on. I tried to forget by taking up this new activity, becoming an adventurer,

and fighting monsters..."

"But even so, I'm still trapped by regret... and it gets stronger every time I come back to this

city and stand in front of her grave."

As she spoke, fully revealing everything she was thinking and feeling, Broken felt a sense of relief. At least now, he could help lighten the burden she was carrying.

Time passed as Ivana tried to calm her sobbing, revealing the hidden sadness behind her cheerful facade and her constant efforts to show kindness in front of others. This was the

weakest moment in her life.

As she opened up, pieces of the puzzle in Broken's mind began to fall into place. Ivana's sudden transformation made sense now - it was the events in her life, connected to Gia's death, that had changed her. She even mentioned her reason for becoming a chef.

But then, something caught Broken's eye. He glanced at the date on Gale's tombstone and noticed the year of his death. Thirty years ago? he wondered. Shouldn't Ivana be in her early

twenties?