Chương 74: Holiday

Ch 74 - Holiday With his first-semester final exams over, Evan got his report card and found exactly what he expected: not a single low score. School was no longer something he had to worry about for the next few weeks, leaving him with a much more mundane problem. He had no idea what to do during the holiday. Evan desperately hoped his break wouldn't consist of nothing but training. That would be too depressing.

The thought of spending every day swinging a sword or doing mana exercises made him feel like a salted fish flopping around in misery. He accepted that Reid's grueling TLC had made it impossible for him to skip training, but he refused to become the kind of maniac who thought about nothing but getting stronger. Should he study more? No, his grades were already great, so there was no reason to waste his free time on schoolwork. The System had also returned to its usual silence and hadn't given him any new Quests.

He considered going back to District 20 to meet up with Marcus and Yuyan, but dismissed the idea. They'd be busy with their own activities and spending time with their families, so there wasn't much point in going back until after New Year's Eve. As for hanging out with Reid...

"Chairman Choi is asking you to join him for the holiday?" Evan asked. Reid nodded.

"Yeah. It seems it's time for me to repay the debt I owe him for that piece of Mithril he gave me."

"What does he even want you to do?"

"Something about seeing how the Choi Group operates." Evan made a face at that. Was this some attempt by their grandfather to get them to join the Choi family? What a stupid idea. Flaunting all that wealth and luxury wouldn't impress Evan, much less Reid.

"So, do you want to come with me?" Reid asked.

"I'm not forcing you since I know you hate this type of thing." Evan hesitated before answering, "I'll think about it." He mulled it over for a while, but he still couldn't bring himself to feel enthusiastic about going with Reid. He could already imagine all the boring events Chairman Choi would make them attend just to show off his company. Frankly, Evan would rather waste his time playing games. Thinking of games, his mind naturally turned to Hiroto.

He pulled out his phone, called him, and the other boy soon picked up.

"Evan? What's up?" Hiroto asked, with the sound of a game OST playing in the background.

"Just wondering what you have planned for the break," Evan said.

"I think we're heading to a private island resort somewhere in the Eastern Sea. Mother said winter is a good time to visit somewhere warmer. She said we're going east, but I'm not sure where exactly yet." Then why don't they just stay inside the Tower? It isn't affected by the weather outside, Evan thought.

"What about you, Evan? Are you going somewhere with your brother?" Hiroto asked.

"Probably not. Chairman Choi wants to drag Reid to some boring corporate events, and I don't think I want to be there."

"Oh..." Hiroto paused. He also knew about Evan's connection to the Choi family, though Evan suspected that both Hiroto and Carmen had known the truth long before he had. It seemed his family background had been something of an open secret all along.

"Then, if you don't want to go there, how about coming with me instead?" Hiroto asked.

"Coming with you?"

"Yeah, to the island."

"Isn't this a family outing? Wouldn't I be intruding?"

"Not at all. There'll be other kids there too. It's technically more of a youth social gathering." Oh, great. Instead of being surrounded by adults making connections, Evan was now being offered the chance to do the exact same thing with people his own age. The whole situation brought back memories of those dark days when he had forced himself to socialize with people he didn't particularly like, hoping to build connections that might prove useful someday. In the end, none of it had amounted to anything.

He had just been a bum who couldn't even finish school. Despite wanting to reject the invitation outright, Evan forced himself to consider it. After everything that had happened in the Secret Dungeon, the relationship between Hiroto and Reika had become even stranger. She was no longer as cold toward him as she had been before, but she wasn't exactly friendly either.

The whole thing reminded Evan of dealing with a feral cat that couldn't decide whether to rake his face with its claws or accept the snacks he offered. It was progress, at least. Maybe being saved by Hiroto during the fight against the phoenix had cracked another wall between them. Now that he thought about it, perhaps it would be a good idea for Evan to be there to keep an eye on things.

It would be a shame if their relationship, which had started improving, fell apart because of something that happened during the holiday. Who knew what could happen when a group of arrogant teenagers was running around on a private island? He still remembered how Reika had been cornered by those girls during the Ruiz Foundation gala. Yeah, it would be safer if he went with Hiroto. Though his resolve to join had only grown stronger, Evan couldn't help lamenting the situation.

When had his life started revolving around worrying about teenagers' sibling relationships and mental health? More importantly, how had that somehow become his responsibility instead of their parents'?

"Sure, I think I'll go with you. Though don't you think you should ask your parents first?" Evan asked.

"Don't worry. They won't mind at all! And I'm really glad you're coming!" Hiroto said. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Based on his voice alone, Evan could easily picture the bright smile on his face. With his holiday plans settled, Evan sent Reid a text to let him know. The reply came almost immediately. [That's great! I hope you'll have fun there! It's good that you're spending time with your peers.] Peers, huh?

Most of them probably wanted nothing to do with him, much less considered him a peer. That was especially true now that he was stuck with Definitely the Villain Aura, which made him seem even more unpleasant in other people's eyes. The trip was only two days away, giving Evan more than enough time to pack. He would be staying on the island for the entirety of his two-week holiday, while Reid would be occupied for at least half of it, courtesy of Chairman Choi.

After that, Reid had said he might join him if it was feasible so they could at least welcome the New Year together. Just as Evan began thinking that life might give him a little peace, Carmen barged into his room without even bothering to knock.

"Hey, haven't your parents taught you any manners?" Evan shot her a glare.

"No time for manners! Haven't you seen the news?!" Carmen said, shoving her phone in his face. Resisting the urge to swat it away, Evan reminded himself that it was one of the newest premium models on the market and far too expensive for him to break. He grabbed the phone and read the words on the screen: BREAKING: Former Stellaris Idol Lim Yeon-ah Vanishes, Kidnapping Suspected. Beneath the headline was a photo of the woman during her idol days, smiling brightly at the camera.

"She's missing?" Evan asked.

"Yeah! I was already worried because I couldn't get in touch with her about our upcoming collaboration," Carmen said.

"Then I talked to Ines and Olivia, and they said they couldn't reach her either!" Scrolling down, Evan skimmed the article. According to the report, regular customers at Yeon-ah's father's restaurant had grown concerned when it failed to open as usual. Acting as good neighbors, they went to check on the family themselves and found the front door unlocked, but the house was empty. At first, they assumed the father and daughter had simply gone grocery shopping or stepped out for the day.

When neither returned the following day, however, they contacted the police. Olivia and Ines had also reported them missing after repeatedly failing to reach Yeon-ah. A search was now underway for both father and daughter. There were no signs of forced entry or a struggle, and nothing appeared to have been stolen from the house. It was as though the two had vanished, leaving everything behind. As Evan mentally ran through possible culprits, only two possibilities came to mind.

The first was retaliation from the CEO of Muse Tune Entertainment. The second was debt collectors. Evan had long suspected that Yeon-ah and her father were struggling financially. Despite everything Yeon-ah had earned as an idol, the company had likely taken the lion's share of her income, leaving them buried in debt. If they had failed to repay what they owed, perhaps someone had come to collect. Pursing his lips, Evan handed the phone back.

"Okay. I've read it."

"That's it? That's all you have to say?" Carmen put her hands on her hips.

"What else do you want me to say? She's missing, and it's not like there's anything I can do about it. This is a police matter, and the best thing we can do is wait for updates." He had already gotten involved in one kidnapping case before, and he had no intention of doing so again.

"Sometimes you're so heartless, you know that?"

"Do you want me to burst into tears? Sorry, but I'm not that kind of person. Besides, between the two of us, you're the one who can actually do something. If you're so worried about Yeon-ah, why don't you use that pocket money of yours to hire some detectives?"

"Already did! You don't need to tell me," Carmen shot back.

"Ugh... how am I supposed to enjoy my holiday when I'm worried about Yeonie?"

"Hold on. You're going to the retreat too?"

"You think I wouldn't? It's a pretty big gathering for kids our age, and I'm expected to attend. Let's not forget that I have to support our dear Hiroto, don't I?" Just how many rich kids were going to be there? And what were their parents even doing? Were they all just shipping their children off together like this was some kind of luxury daycare? For a moment, Evan wondered if he should regret agreeing to go instead of accompanying Reid. But it was too late to back out now.

He had already committed to the trip, so all he could do was hope nothing too annoying happened while he was there.

While Evan set off to enjoy the holiday with Hiroto, Reid headed to the Choi family's main residence. With winter settling in, many wealthy families preferred spending their vacations inside the Tower, where they could escape the bitter cold outside. Upon arriving on Floor 80, Reid was met by a chauffeur and driven through the residential district toward the Choi residence. A wide stone drive ran through the grounds before reaching the mansion.

Three stories tall, it had a broad central structure with two long wings extending from either side and a columned entrance above the front steps. The front grounds were spacious, with trees lining the property and smaller buildings visible beyond the main house. A butler welcomed Reid and escorted him to Chairman Choi's private office. The spacious room was decorated with dark walnut bookshelves and featured panoramic windows overlooking the estate. An opulent executive desk occupied one side of the office.

Chairman Choi sat on one of the leather sofas arranged around a low coffee table, while another gentleman who appeared to be in his forties sat on the other. He bore a striking resemblance to the old man, though his hair remained jet black, and a pair of dark-rimmed glasses gave him a more scholarly appearance.

"There you are, Reid. Come, sit down," Chairman Choi said, gesturing toward the empty seat. Reid walked over and took his seat. The butler stood nearby, waiting until Reid had settled in before pouring tea into his cup. Once he'd finished, he gave a slight bow and left the office. Chairman Choi began, "I've been meaning to introduce the two of you. Reid, this is your uncle, your father's younger brother, Choi Young-il. Young-il, this is your nephew, Reid." Young-il offered his hand with a warm smile.

"It's good to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Reid replied as they shook hands. Taking a sip of his tea, Chairman Choi turned his attention back to Reid.

"I notice you've come alone. Your brother wasn't interested in paying his grandfather a visit?"

"He's with his friend, Hiroto," Reid answered.

"Ah, Masaru's son." Chairman Choi nodded.

"I remember wondering why Evan chose to stay so close to him. Back then, they were both F-ranks, and I thought their friendship would only make them easy targets for the other children. It seems I was the one who underestimated Evan's eye for talent. An F-rank awakening into an S-rank is something I never expected to witness in my lifetime." Young-il smiled.

"It's certainly reassuring that Evan has become close to the heir of the White Wolf Guild. Relationships like that are invaluable." Reid offered no comment, though he knew his brother's hackles would rise if he heard this. Evan would no doubt despise anyone trying to turn his friendship with Hiroto into political or business capital.

"Now, let me get to the point. I'm sure you've been wondering what I expect in return for the piece of Mithril," Chairman Choi said. Reid lowered his cup and met his grandfather's gaze.

"I trust you don't think repaying your debt is as simple as accompanying us around the Choi Group. Should you ever choose to join the family business, that would simply be your duty, not repayment. No, what I want from you is quite simple. You will attend the Year-End Charity Gala, and I will introduce you to the Mayer family's daughter."