PRT | Chapter 3.19

Seo Yigyeom had considered the possibility that it might not be someone with pyrokinesis, but he couldn’t narrow it down to any particular side. Currently, only Heeseo, who had faced the real culprit, knew the truth. He had no intention of doubting him or adding his own bias. Starting to doubt would only slow down his thinking and eventually cloud his judgment.95aa68be9657f66b

A spark fell from the burning cigarette. Watching it fall from red to black, he thought of ‘Hwadam’. Or more precisely, the strange man he had encountered there.942e636bf0055643

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Hwadam was full of Espers. Their energies mixed chaotically, filling 3e2402e824 the space. Just stepping in 910a72b555 was enough to e574de30bc make your stomach c853cdf30a churn. Invisible presences crawled like insects, 7dbd313271 covering your skin.7c2b1bbaef20da38

However, the man at the center, called the chef, left no trace. He was strangely clean, which only drew more attention. Unlike Heeseo’s calm, clear presence that seemed to ripple quietly, this man was wrapped in an incongruous purity.ea4222d1a6548140

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hide your presence. Make sure I can’t sense your wavelength.”418a99e5b1d90639

“Suddenly?”7698c53d548d736e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Kwon Joon, although puzzled, suppressed his energy. He was an extremely skilled A-class Esper. His presence quieted down in an instant, like drawing a straight line, yet he couldn’t hide the fact that he was an Esper.60c9b8318e063276

Tap. Seo Yigyeom flicked off the a529fbfa24 cigarette ash, his face showing 7b8ea232ec deep thought. He had never b6f50f19bb failed to detect 3aaac4e5bf an Esper before. Even without trying, 318b174db3 his sensitive nerves b192775293 immediately caught on. His judgment was always 10934d19f0 correct, leaving no room 0704cbf1a8 for doubt.4118fbbfcfb0aea5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…”e98671b343d821fc

Then, what was that?9a80cf16c58aa7d9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The man, called the main chef, was an ordinary person. He emitted no energy at all. Yet, he strangely caught Seo Yigyeom’s eye. Heeseo’s fear and agitation also lingered in his mind. Even if still unstable, he was an S-class; he wasn’t one to crumble without reason.16690e80ff1caf67

“You, how far are you looking?”644f527f4c62c9c0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At that moment, a question 1c8a6f8434 broke through his thoughts.dbbee902d025791a

“How far are you going to use Heeseo?”b38b4c3537f5d395

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Use?”5af523a5e1ef1900

“If you’re going all the way, handle it appropriately. He’s still young; you shouldn’t hurt him.”3815ca626864f74b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Yigyeom didn’t get angry at Kwon Joon’s presumptuous words. He just recalled Heeseo running away in panic and gave a crooked smile.f67fcfaaeec03993

“I am treating him well.”e8bb0bd6b1f57c94

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…”3f37d30166f20234

“You should pay more attention too.”90ecc46680a7f3a0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Yigyeom laughed, pulling his lips up, then blew a long stream of smoke toward Kwon Joon. With this silent action, Kwon Joon shook his head and stood up. Being quick to read the room was one of Kwon Joon’s strengths.4328d8e2266ccc89

“You know the Gate situation is bad, right?”e161024d4d122fe1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I know.”607383e85076f813

“With the article coming out, the atmosphere’s even worse. It’s good to do something, but do it with some discretion.”8e996586ab9c3c38

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s your turn to act with discretion now, isn’t it?”ced6d38f8a967520

Seo Yigyeom responded indifferently, keeping Kwon Joon within his sight. That’s enough, go now. With this brief dismissal, Kwon Joon shrugged and stepped back. Thud. Silence descended with the sound of the door closing.2e75fdffaaa8a143

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Exhaling smoke like a sigh, 713f6bba5f Seo Yigyeom leaned back into 9bcc43b28f the couch. The leather squeaked under his 09d3d78897 weight. Ignoring it, he relaxed his c1a74bccd2 entire body and closed his aec8ba04ca eyes while extinguishing his cigarette.9cd22c47d825b721

Fatigue overwhelmed him in a0b540627d an instant. He was tired. This sensation brought about 1bf7dcc6a6 a subtle feeling of 679c4a6e0f suffocation. Even without a tie, his b734d60d99 neck felt constricted. Seo Yigyeom irritably 66092fb9c0 undid a couple 1bdc51eb0e of shirt buttons.e51c5f44be9a4942

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Handle it appropriately…1c28d0c3056712e4

With a short, mocking laugh, he covered his eyes with his arm. He had to admit, giving away the house wasn’t part of the plan.bb055b01d84c5d46

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Initially, he had no intention 78ecb285ae of getting involved to that bf4d93ac14 extent. It was an area beyond 5bb6f06a44 responsibility, something more intimate. Yet, he not only ddc7741f72 stepped in but also de980814fd adjusted them to his 1225af79e3 orbit.89523585cbdaec1f

“I did something unnecessary…”9626e108ee674eb2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Upon reflection, it brought no benefit, yet he didn’t regret it. It was strange. What was so special about Kim Heeseo, who struggled to survive?406f98d7bbc27801

From Seo Yigyeom’s perspective, Heeseo was frustratingly stubborn, making himself tired with his straightforwardness. Yet, he never thought of him as foolish. Rather, his honesty was oddly compelling. In Heeseo’s relentless effort, Seo Yigyeom saw his own struggle to survive. They were nothing alike, yet in some ways, they felt similar. Maybe that’s why his gaze lingered.2c35195212548da7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Moreover, Heeseo didn’t ask for guiding. He didn’t emit the dirty wavelength typical of Espers that tore at nerves like a beast. For Seo Yigyeom, Espers were always just vile creatures using him as a tool, but Heeseo was different.8258469235b156bd

“I feel like you’re at a loss, Guide-nim.”9950eed43abab900

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The unusual one even 37dfc338fe dared to worry about 1812f1150b him. That presumptuous concern was 9a01fa56e4 both irritating and thirst-inducing.80b14c980e8e89b9

“That kid…”6a2996a319cc8e0f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The gratitude he expressed every 6c0f900264 time he received guiding, treating 7d6e192bb0 it as something precious despite 6c4a813193 it being something that could 144002bc05 be easily dismissed, lingered in 322752f4b7 his mind.9403197894d7defa

“Ah…”f38421a056874f75

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Thinking of Heeseo 432dd054ab dulled the sharpness c892dba582 of his nerves. Remembering how he 324f56f1a1 had run away 97943fbe42 in panic just ef53158fc9 because of a 6ddf5e5fea kiss made Seo fe0b4ca90d Yigyeom smile again. Even the eyes hidden under 0542561b5f his arm smiled along.fc698fcb80a95701

Acting like a 671d8ea20e child after doing 0730274a66 worse things.403823e1c85b5e1d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Heeseo, who had turned his b82ba6687c entire body red from his dcf93f5e50 neck down, came to mind. Seo Yigyeom blinked slowly and 67bf448ee0 moved his crossed leg. Unlike when he kissed 977930f2fd the branch head, it fa8db516d8 felt like his lower fda1c68f8d half was getting tight.3cac0660e9c2830c

“…”94d9c079be14e253

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A thirst akin to 4250ec9015 the urge to smoke b329a59ffb surged. Licking his red lips, ba23897e86 Seo Yigyeom looked towards eba88ae26b where Heeseo had stood. Was he upset? Ignoring the reaction below, he 3011f458be calmly kept thinking of Heeseo.dddf736afcc0b107

As time passed, aadcd9b5fc the unpleasant sensation 79f816eb83 faded, and bit 7744841ada by bit, he 93ca8ef4e7 started to enjoy 43c4647e62 it.96b982b677627f9b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The Gate that tore through space was capricious. It appeared regardless of whether the weather was bad or the sun was shining brightly. It stood firm in this world where it didn’t belong, at any time.35f5af63b5065af4

Today, the weather a7ac4ea0a5 was exceptionally clear. The sky was 9028e3f772 cloudless, and the a3bfe3cc8f gentle breeze felt 0f3430ef4e almost like spring. In the center a685277df3 of this tranquility, 6c5ee605d1 the Gate, black a380b3ea43 and flickering, stood 5c53fbd090 out starkly. This unwanted entity 6eb30e2278 distorted peaceful times, 92a5ad5cd0 leaving traces across cbdc5fdabc the city.ec82182e3a364fdf

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ending the situation.”8f0e520921ff26a6

This resolution was easy. Despite the Gate being f82266d3d3 large, its danger level 5615c1ec56 was between D-class and c98d2af7ed C-class. Heeseo, who had been expelling 9db162b873 various creatures, watched the Gate d01c40d48a diminish, clenching and unclenching his 0ad2318254 fists. His face, looking straight ahead, 68ecba19c0 was not at ease. Something seemed to press down 0f948788ae on every part of his e88ea0d29d body.0491dbfbbbc4c865

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Heeseo, haven’t you seen Seo Yigyeom lately?”0c07d1ec5a184773

“Ah… No.”3154afafe9da289d

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Heeseo gave a brief answer d73aa607d2 to Kwon Joon, who approached ebf38a4737 with a question in his 1b797dcc4a eyes. Thinking of Seo 374d569603 Yigyeom naturally made 7ad11de0ef his tongue feel ecfdfa88ed numb.9f139f6b739f5b10

“Guiding? Wasn’t Seo Yigyeom supposed to do that? Did you get it from another guide?”b4115292416fd205

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“No. I didn’t get it.”0ad0eac758a1cd30

Where had he left his 5ea13c74d4 partner? Kwon Joon was unusually 5613ddba7c inquisitive today. Heeseo shook his head, 7033250cf9 looking at him with b22443bb0f puzzled eyes, and Kwon 7ab7741e44 Joon just shrugged with 94650b6810 a smile, indicating no 9da94463a5 particular intention.4782178d45af2233

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“You seemed a bit uncomfortable, so if you’re okay, that’s good.”5960361234c53086

“I think it’s just because I’m tired. Thanks for worrying.”11ac057eba3cce14

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Finishing his words, Heeseo pressed his nails into his palm. He vaguely felt that it wasn’t just fatigue that was bothering him, which soured his mood.6dac78ab2ef88a80

His physical condition was not bad. His abilities manifested as he willed, and the risk of energy amplification was low, but that was all. There was something within him that didn’t dissipate.dc4c3137994c95de

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He was aware that this was a side effect of the absence of guiding. He couldn’t not know, not after experiencing the guiding Seo Yigyeom occasionally provided.00eea5e68e34ef4c

Since that day, seeing Seo Yigyeom kiss another woman, he hadn’t gone to his office. Somehow, he felt awkward and turned back whenever he thought of him. There were no calls from Seo Yigyeom either.a02415e05042ff8f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…”61ffd50f78bc4790

The scene he witnessed accidentally left a deep mark. Even if he didn’t want to think about it, he unconsciously drew that image in his mind. Seeing Seo Yigyeom kiss someone else was, absurdly, quite a shock. Knowing he wasn’t exclusive to him, yet he still felt shaken. Somehow, the unfamiliar side of Seo Yigyeom made something inside him drop with a thud.8c1b9223d884088c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As he pondered this, he sighed like someone who had lost something they had never held. In the end, he felt embarrassed by his own reaction, his face heating up. He felt foolish for attributing meaning to Seo Yigyeom’s actions.e10d0fc4fb79d484

…Wasn’t he even ashamed?89f29f3401af5475

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Kim Heeseo, who couldn’t help but think of Seo Yigyeom again, let his lips droop. It wasn’t a fully conscious action. While he was chewing over the memory of Seo Yigyeom, who had met his gaze so nonchalantly, his clear face became soft and malleable.ade86d93127e6ebf

His hand, tightly gripping the phone, felt it through the tension. Heeseo’s complexion darkened even further. Even though he was deliberately avoiding Seo Yigyeom, the absence of even a single message was bothering him.c2ba87a69ad32e6a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

They had agreed 53dcf354e3 to stick together, d14b8b225e after all.ee04f072186c5b26

Heeseo let out a long sigh as if to punctuate his thoughts. With a bit of his strength drained, he dropped his gaze and kicked a pebble. He didn’t even notice Kwon Joon standing beside him, watching with a strange look in his eyes.e308b36923764e00

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hey, Esper-nim.”1381dada7a94ac93

“…Huh? Oh, Heeseo. What’s up?”876462b2d34bae7c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Kwon Joon’s response was slow, as if his mind was elsewhere, but Heeseo didn’t mind and continued.740bdfd51963e03b

“Do you often get guiding that goes beyond contact guiding?”e54526be5c4987ef

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Hmm…”e9c5d7ffaf10e9c1

Kwon Joon gave a adcf83cfda troubled smile, squinting his 7b9a95478e eyes.31d2809c94705967

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Well, it depends on the situation, but it’s pretty common at the headquarters. Even Team Leader Ha would get it when it’s dangerous, right?”45a17752b4d3840f

The answer that followed was as casual as ever. Ah… Heeseo let out a small ‘I suppose so,’ his throat vibrating. Before Kwon Joon could say anything more, Heeseo bowed his head in a quick greeting and turned away.8efc90afba7ad2e7

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Heeseo’s condition was similar even on the way back to the headquarters. He stared blankly out the window, capturing the fleeting scenery. Even Lee Chilhyeon, glaring sharply from a distance, was ignored.234e13142908cbfc

“Hyung, did you see this?”999f681f78f29082

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The silence in the car 6f69b46bab was broken by Hong Taebin. He lightly nudged Heeseo de1b0dca46 and showed him his 620bf42a12 phone screen. On it was a d1b9fbd8e2 video of Heeseo subduing c26c2bf464 an unregistered Esper at c9bab34478 a crosswalk a few 4e3476d3b6 days ago. The video was f884029b3f quite clear and fc2bcdd17f long, possibly because 075f6a3c95 it was uploaded 37f29851c9 to SNS by 9b384c7dbc the onlookers.fdc179500f791cb3

“The comments are all praising you.”0b318ec7fe069301

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

By then, the video had 215a97de1d garnered many views and thousands 926084e80a of comments.82a0a62632630686

There are people like this e27f491fa2 at the headquarters, damn amazing
Look at this, c919672882 so freaking handsome
Serving the country in 890b9972b6 all sorts of ways90243fcfb62b0099

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Heeseo, after reading a few eye-catching comments, awkwardly scratched his neck. Hong Taebin was tapping the heart on the admiring comments and the report button on the hateful ones, quickly scrolling through. He even reported one that just said ‘?ㅋ;’ making Heeseo chuckle. Hong Taebin also hummed softly while moving his hands without hesitation.8db2abb1067dff14

Heeseo’s eyes, which followed the hand movements, became unfocused, looking not at the present but the past. The movement of his long eyelashes slowed, his amber eyes staring blankly at one point.01dc607b0a314d5b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Did Seo Yigyeom 1fb4e34a94 see this video c3099fcd41 too?684e225b61b425ad

At the end 0930131a29 of it all, 68953b237c Seo Yigyeom came 95c451717d to mind as 5e19d6e8a7 if it were e75d3763ad inevitable. Since he knows everything, c8eb77bf42 he must have seen 5c6624e856 it. No, knowing how 6127516451 he hates wasting eff98ffeb5 time, he might c3b4648416 not have. As these thoughts dbf971bc2a stretched on, the 1c69b91018 inside of his 7d5ed03267 tightly clenched hand 297006de3e started to sting.30b3f8172a9f0c8f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator