The senior man nodded, tears welling up. "I know, but I still need to bring him back. That stubborn child would always hunt far and wide, never returning until I called. This time shouldn't be an different... This time, I must call my stubborn child back home..."

The senior man's voice carried a weight of grief and age. Nicole found it impossible to deny him and responded, "Alright, let's bring him back home."

The senior man gathered his belongings, grabbed some dry food, and stepped out with a hunting rifle. He asked Nicole, “Young lady, do you know how to use this?"

Nicole nodded. She had learned from Roscoe back in the village, though she wasn't particularly skilled. She confessed, "I can use it, but I'm not very practiced."

"No worries. As long as you've handled it before," the senior man said confidently. "We're facing a serious threat this time. We need to be ready to defend ourselves."

Despite his age and having less to lose, the senior man felt Nicole was too young to face such danger. He then brought a large bucket and announced, “Let's get moving."

Nicole noticed the bulky bucket and asked, "Sir, what's inside that? Isn't it a bit too heavy?"

The senior man shook his head. "It's not heavy, not heavy at all. It's filled with good things."

He didn't elaborate, and Nicole didn't probe any further. She offered to help carry it, but he declined.

Nicole packed her dried meat and rifle. The senior man, hardened by years of mountain life, moved quickly despite the weight he carried.

A journey that would have taken Nicole four days on her own, they managed to complete over half in just a day and a half.

They traveled during the night and rested during the day to steer clear of wild animals. Once they found a safe spot, they settled down to sleep. Exhausted, Nicole fell asleep almost immediately.

Meanwhile, back at the senior man's mountain hut, unexpected visitors had arrived.

The leader, wrapped in a black jacket and wearing a crisp crew cut, appeared both handsome and stern.

Just then, Alec called out, "Sir, could this be your wife's bracelet?"

Jarrod took the bracelet, inspected it closely, and replied, "Yes, it definitely is."

Still uncertain, Alec asked, "Sir, how can you be so sure?"

“Look here." Jarrod pointed out a distinctive mark inside the bracelet and casually remarked, "It's unmistakably hers."

The bracelet bore the distinctive MQ Jewelry logo, its presence an anomaly in the modest surroundings of the thatched hut.

Nicole, not one for ostentatious adornments, favored practical gold pieces. As a result, she had MQ Jewelry send her their latest gold creations every season.