Who is this old man?

"Now that you know the reason I called you here, if you want me to help you become stronger, then tell me everything. Who are you? Why do you have these types of powers, and how can you copy someone's power?" Listening to all of Nana's questions, Alex started seeing stars. After getting his thoughts clear, he told her his story about how his parents left him, how he survived, and learned about his power from the old man who taught him.

Listening to Alex mentioning the old man, Nana asked with interest, "Who is this old man?" Alex replied, "Oh, the old man was a good person. He taught me the basics of my power, but after some time, he died, and then I left his house."

Nana started thinking about the old man, feeling that something was not right. She asked, "What was the name of that old man you spoke of?" Hearing her, Alex said, "His name... What was his name? Oh, I remember, his name was Bob, something something."

Listening to that, Nana snapped, "What? How can that be? No, you are lying." Seeing her get angry, Alex spoke, "I never lie. What I am saying is true; Bob taught me the basics of my power." 

"You fool, speak his name with respect. He was Bob Jackson, once the vice-leader of the Order and my father," saying that, a drop of tears started coming from Nana's eyes.

Yes, Bob was Nana's father. Nana was the daughter of Bob and Alice, her mother, a simple commoner lady whom Bob fell in love with. During that time, Bob was just a 2-star mercenary, but people still respected him. Since her mother was a commoner, people always looked down on her. Despite the hardships she faced, Alice always stayed happy, and two years after their marriage, Nana was born, becoming the light in Alice's dark life. 

Bob and Alice were happy, but their happiness didn't last long. Bob was assigned a mission estimated to take 3 years to complete. Bob didn't want to go, but Alice assured him that she would be okay, and he should do the job as it was important.

However, the mission took 7 years to complete. When he came back home, he found out that his house was sold, and they had moved to the slum. Upon hearing this, he ran as fast as he could toward the slum. After asking many people, he found their home.

Entering inside, he found Alice sleeping on the futon, her face pale. Bob hurriedly sat beside Alice, and upon opening her eyes, she saw Bob sitting next to her crying. "Oh, Bob, you returned. How was your work? Why are you crying?" But Alice, what happened to you? Why do you look like this?

Hearing that, Alice spoke, "Oh, this is nothing, just a small fever." Bob knew Alice was lying but didn't ask too many questions. He asked just one, "Where is Nana?" Hearing that, Alice spoke, "She is out for work. It's my fault. If I didn't become sick, she wouldn't have to go through that." Hearing her, Bob said, "It's not your fault; it's my fault that I left you two alone for 7 years. It's all my fault," and started criticizing himself.

"Mom, I am back," saying that, Nana entered the house, but upon seeing a man beside her mother, she asked, "Father, is it you? Did you come back from your work?"

Hearing nana's voice, Bob turned around, tears streaming down his face. Nana was shocked, seeing her father after so many years. Alice smiled weakly, glad to see Bob back.

Nana, with a mix of excitement and confusion, asked, "Father, where have you been all these years? Why did you leave us?"

Bob, with a heavy heart, explained the challenges of his mission, the unexpected delays, and the hardships he faced. He apologized to Alice and Nana, expressing deep regret for not being there for them during their struggles.

Nana, realizing the sacrifices her father made, hugged him tightly. "It's okay, Dad. We missed you, but we understand. What matters is that you're back now."

Bob wiped away his tears and looked at Nana with gratitude. Alice, too weak to speak, smiled with tears in her eyes. The family, though reunited, had been through a lot, and the scars of those years apart were evident.