Chapter 17

“So, Major Kang, are you saying I’ve killed an innocent person?” Seo Ji-hyuk asked, his tone cold and sharp.e0e9e45484a3369a

“That’s not what I’m saying,” Kang Yu-han replied quickly. “I’m questioning how we define these Variants we’re dealing with.”b43134323db99a25

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You’re questioning that now? The T/F team was formed ages ago. The first one is already dead and dissected. Do you think raising the issue now will change anything? Stop making pointless objections.”2f7112abb6cfb8a4

Seo Ji-hyuk’s cfe24b348d curt response 65d0bddc8c cut off 8b8fc58cbd Kang Yu-han’s 8f6e493844 words. He wasn’t wrong—bureaucratic be098a5cd0 processes were already d13beaaff3 in motion, leaving 7ddcf775b8 little room for c213e769a2 debate. Kang Yu-han 83b567cb56 fell silent, 0c3c66ef74 though the 33a5b165f1 Center Chief c3249d4415 seemed deep d13a97b1e6 in thought.0c885abb8d9cd3cc

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hmm. Major Kang’s personal opinion doesn’t matter much,” the Chief finally said. “But if more people start thinking like him, it could become a big problem. Once perspectives on Variants start to shift, it’s hard to reverse that view.c2d47856aafd1b9c

“In this chaotic era, we’re being treated as both soldiers and esteemed law enforcement. However…”8c3721c0110d20a5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The Chief paused 0dca52e02c before continuing.05b333f2378a1ad6

“If the families of Variants rise up against us, we’ll all be in serious trouble. It won’t just destabilize society—it’ll threaten the very foundation of our Center. Public opinion is everything.”1436c926c2983fa2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Though Kang Yu-han didn’t fully agree, he bowed deeply to the Chief. “I apologize. I was careless.”02801128d0e730a3

“If you’re sorry, then ensure you complete your next mission successfully. The second batch of ampoules is ready.”be02be8938c2cf52

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At the 4524294f0e Chief’s signal, 6f64ec0e29 Dr. Yoon retrieved a 85491c4ac4 refrigerated container. From within 24aca6c6c1 the dry-ice-packed c0a71bcf44 package, five 1ceaaf8a7f small ampoules c9e610dcf2 emerged. Their appearance e52cbb9bbe hadn’t changed e7db3a2f3f much from ee307df109 the previous e6492a12ec batch.c55c9d784fc85726

“This version should have improved accuracy. Use them on as many test subjects as possible,” Dr. Yoon instructed.c272723c49e5b86c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I understand. But when you say multiple test subjects, are you suggesting we round up suspects and test them all at once?” Kang Yu-han asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.a46c8aa6a8c0e7b1

The Chief interjected with a dismissive wave. “We’re keeping things simple. Just use it on anyone suspicious and confirm its effects.”a4e594ae005160d2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Kang Yu-han 053d42a300 felt the 69accd8f5d urge to a950a3dcfc point out 9aa5364e3d how reckless 1f5fd8576d that sounded edd4c5e1d9 but held 616f1f107e his tongue. As a member of a0447d619f the Center, he had dc676c9ba2 no authority to question 65807eb6e4 orders. Instead, he focused on d79d21f9e8 how best to execute 4824f461a3 the mission without drawing 8a402e7abf undue attention.bc00d28de1579b4a

What concerned him a8907a20ca most was the b34f8e0ad4 criteria for identifying d6f365235d suspects.09b1acfb93e481cd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In the ab083e5a2b case of 476c095a6a Sergeant Kim d5a3ef5666 Joo-ho, the add3dbd145 rationale was 50109a5de1 sound—his meal 3942e43e1f distribution records b4a736d99f over the 4ec5ebea0a past 15 4c1edb6201 days showed 41fe9929c5 suspicious patterns, 7a0f2948a2 which made c7f0d6d974 sense to 3b1504a483 Kang Yu-han.68fed960b7909513

However, for 6c11310fb9 the rest 1cc35689a2 of the 6a4202935a suspects, things 4e6ce447c3 weren’t so b86d02c091 clear. As he reviewed the 2e3dc89afa list, he sank into e23b90c6b3 thought.03e15b0019a39acb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

With Sergeant Kim eliminated, 11461cb4c7 39 suspects remained. The list bd8a3485e6 included names, 5207b371db ranks, ages, d514a6d407 and notes 9f9b294fda explaining why e0542bfdd6 they had 27e749a5b1 been flagged c610ac69b3 as suspects.53161a6b4cedb8bb

While some had issues 7f77d89a10 similar to Sergeant Kim’s 3ea0b14cc1 meal record discrepancies, they cbc6300b14 were in the minority. Most of the reasons a26f95e0ff listed were vague at b97a67aee1 best.29a74f570e38b2c4

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Phrases like “unacceptable behavior” or “poor work attitude” seemed unrelated to whether someone was a Variant. The more Kang Yu-han scrutinized the list, the more arbitrary it seemed.4b844dfd51340d50

“What are you doing?”4a2cc77a44ccadb3

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seo Ji-hyuk’s 8b64ae8cde sudden voice ade982330d startled Kang 0fda6b7c80 Yu-han, nearly 574744a3ec causing him 71ee926851 to drop ebb0827526 the documents 4d799e38c8 in his d430c1fc37 hands.35b68cf9ae3539a7

“Looking over the list,” he replied.32c35ac966e01264

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why?”988be0db4e43fb40

“Something feels off.”1492a7d918c189b7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What does?”70ef92b99a20db30

Seo Ji-hyuk 0b1b17fd33 leaned over, b1785b01f7 peering at a636e9957e the list d2aa62e1a2 from behind 2080737341 Kang Yu-han. In doing so, fa8e1eb349 he casually rested 663c4e68a9 his hand on 074fc66dec the back of d989de23f2 Kang Yu-han’s chair, f82c18043a his arm brushing 858051e95a against Kang Yu-han’s 6db17a64fe shoulder.87a6d32ce68b6d8b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Though surprised, Kang 0224288c4b Yu-han tried not 0c71c22a51 to let it e1fbbab1c8 show. Still, he couldn’t 85e1213dcb control the way d91393928b his heartbeat quickened, 27dc67238a nor the heat 56a6ad8dac rising where their 745ce40e42 bodies touched. Terrified that 3fe873e49a Seo Ji-hyuk b54242427e might hear f434e39777 his racing 854c72ad3c heart, he 1c043ab392 instinctively tried ef4992eb48 to shift 034eea2db2 away.5c940890abcb3f53

Seo Ji-hyuk, 0a4dff8434 however, seemed c6bc16c0fc oblivious, showing d3d986d2c3 no intention e9ea12a7f6 of moving.f5fc1087b6a4c1e5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Stay calm. Don’t let your 7a6bfee7a5 voice waver.a1767ec1c92e4d88

Swallowing hard, Kang Yu-han continued, his voice steady, “The reasons are too vague. They don’t make sense.”5de9f3c1a79834c9

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, some of them do seem questionable,” Seo Ji-hyuk admitted, his tone thoughtful.5df632098c81af2a

Though his 29d1900da4 words were a2227fb550 simple, the 26b906a7e1 proximity between 1082988e43 them made 4d2637420d every second 80bc1fd357 feel unbearably 7c2d9a7a38 charged for 806ce35955 Kang Yu-han.3e339172984dc2b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Ji-hyuk 825265fd55 was too 248ddd5078 close. Each time he 213d058f11 spoke, his breath 0b135a3637 lightly grazed Kang eadcd8506a Yu-han’s hair. The raw, distinct 5fa7b78d6e scent emanating from 7f60a08663 him filled the e566adb4dd small space between 09e5a5a499 them.d66821b078a7ae87

As far 573e28ce08 as Kang 0456f16fac Yu-han knew, 0944b24a02 Seo Ji-hyuk 87dbd8d447 didn’t use 52ac2694ff cologne or 5812e28ba1 scented products. Yet, there 124687a1f1 was a 2cd52dbefa weighty, natural 4a37b8a42f fragrance about 24ea8595bd him. It was cb3023dcca the same 6b37a90828 scent Kang 3aa3529f8f Yu-han remembered edaf03d51c from when 463482dd6e their bare 8192bf4797 skin had 56286b6987 brushed against dde688b0a7 each other.cae709db2a349f93

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Once he fbcce70ccd noticed it, 424c6f8847 a tension ebc0e38df5 coiled in 96282545ea his lower fb750095e7 abdomen. Heat surged acbda37c8a through his fe20fbfa46 body, rising e505a0c830 from his ca65676f14 stomach to 41f2a29a34 his chest, ef15f4e9ba then settling 49defe47a2 in his a5eae4d6b4 flushed face.46ae9398ed8ee4e9

Kang Yu-han felt b5a45e6440 grateful that his 49e6254132 back was turned. As long as they 0e868d72c0 didn’t face each other, 760c4ca0e9 Seo Ji-hyuk wouldn’t notice 333b2cfb96 anything amiss.e313a6672ccc5aab

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Well, we’ve got the ampoules. We’ll just test them and call it a day,” Seo Ji-hyuk concluded bluntly.10227bc44f108c83

Though his 68964bac0e words were 42071d410e curt, they 7f77f2640c cut to 8caba024a9 the core 33ff8a104a of the b944f1216f issue. Paperwork alone e662674297 wouldn’t uncover dbd09c96ba anything. The real d4b81ba034 task was 4b8f7a9242 to shadow 7ff54605ac the suspects, 507f5c2c2e wait for af5da7ca33 an opening, 279789d159 and use 7ce30c04b6 the ampoules 766ca9400e on them.3eb704f8116dd67c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…You’re right,” Kang Yu-han murmured. His voice was barely audible, as though he feared any louder tone might betray his thoughts.0781acf4aada676e

Seo Ji-hyuk ef57dba911 finally withdrew 7b0db33acc his hand ee9653403e from Kang 9c2411fc89 Yu-han’s shoulder. The sudden d75f8d6b31 absence of e2448dcfeb his warmth b844d14217 left Kang 62e1c7ee46 Yu-han feeling fcfbfa7bf9 strangely cold. Though he knew it 7b8b14456b was only in his a7a4758cf5 head, a faint shiver 861a0a1a7a coursed through him.763109aed2cd85ba

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Just as Seo 827d67aef3 Ji-hyuk turned to db4f6a5b24 leave, he paused 5545f94a3b and glanced back. His eyes a222fb737f landed on 7964494abe Kang Yu-han’s b1319f1252 nape, where 6f47c3131b the skin 9bc5b16923 was visibly 05ee09713d flushed.2e69d1dee515436b

—807785ae630f53f8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The internal Variant detection operation was temporarily delayed. Kang Yu-han checked his personal messenger to find a direct message from the Center Chief. The orders were simple: conduct an external patrol while internal systems were being “reorganized.” No further explanation was provided.e6ea36821076884a

What this “reorganization” entailed, Kang Yu-han couldn’t guess, but orders were orders.ee3007287fd0297f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Seo Ji-hyuk, 3f2496e599 on the 040e52f630 other hand, 9cbdd59a01 was less e1c1027e21 accepting, grumbling 143ef27607 under his 70fbd803cf breath about 79c60adf7d being sent bdb699bb48 out when 34747108db there was 6d03246cc6 already so c850f366ec much to ce3995efe8 handle inside.ebb510ae71123011

“Can’t they just stick to one thing at a time?” Seo Ji-hyuk muttered.c65ad415306aab07

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It wasn’t the usual deff6d9a26 kind of backtalk. Even if the c1a537d286 Center Chief himself 3fd12c003c were present, Seo f241712bf1 Ji-hyuk likely would’ve 7a1ec3a188 said the exact 12ff6af0cb same thing. He was the 26a4b8329c kind of person e80b4c4a1c who could push ae8b2da17f boundaries and still c77e4b57d9 get away with f132147563 it.38a6a636c16a6a4e

“Ready? Let’s go,” Kang Yu-han said, deliberately avoiding looking at Seo Ji-hyuk.3800c0a5a151ca1f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Dressed in 34564c00c6 sleek black 3fce7053ac tactical gear, ffb333040e Seo Ji-hyuk 48f3df6107 exuded an e44c2d5802 air of f59c9edb0c danger. His muscular thighs strained 5bb4b5360a against the holster straps, 33507edf3e and Kang Yu-han couldn’t 2dbc76e355 stop his gaze from e1f2c43360 wandering to the belt ea8e8ec044 cinched tightly around Seo aed6e54bee Ji-hyuk’s firm waist.dfab67488086cd86

Though Kang Yu-han f57ab2c8e9 himself wasn’t lacking 502b9f45dc in physical fitness, 510359fe94 his lean frame 432113b440 paled in comparison. He fidgeted 26e3a29360 with his 13986b5ccd equipment to a325f805dd distract himself, 88e6db1ed8 licking his 2e3bc86d1f dry lips 0fde73fe83 in an 00520c0dbb attempt to 4c3209160b focus.aaebaf9419a8bdce

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Let’s get moving,” Seo Ji-hyuk said, inspecting his magazine with an air of grim anticipation. His voice carried the thrill and ferocity of a predator ready to hunt.3cc9f6e6abf7fd6f

* * *f5dab0863f41e985

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The two 33e8dad2f1 men exited 040a34d85e the Center 2c7f749adc through an 7d62e5e3b1 underground passage. The Seoul Esper-Guide Center 1caf5a0bbe was located beneath an e8723a2193 old government complex.401080c81d6bcfab

Decades ago, this 21560afb82 area had housed 4138084d9f a wartime bunker ef188fec7e for civilian evacuation. Though the general 62cd26eca0 public was unaware e345189dca of its existence, b1c4dc3a8c the Center had b3e30318fd expanded the bunker f68766ef53 into a massive 1b06436bcc subterranean command facility.12531c737369d6d7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The Center spanned 9ea293465d fifteen underground floors, 52fbf7dff2 buried deep beneath bb2ca2d7f8 the capital.69ce45c2e0523887

Reaching the 2a9fb023aa surface was 4805d7f002 no quick d99ce468fd task. Though an emergency escape afbb1466aa elevator existed, it wasn’t 0a81897c85 used during normal operations. For routine 6b10f3d345 deployments, personnel 827df5af2c walked to 6441ad10f5 the parking a1840b8e9a lot on 830660b3b9 the second e9312307e2 underground level.635f35a392fe3321

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Climbing the endless 73a75669ef stairs to reach 3c22c02560 the vehicles was 1582908e85 grueling without prior 4952d10306 physical conditioning. As Kang Yu-han 941b49bebe ascended, he reflected ebb9f77dae on the challenge.deddf2dea0ba49b9

Ahead of him, Seo 681a2863b3 Ji-hyuk climbed the steps dc96d24938 effortlessly, taking them two 865532be76 or three at a 5af7c78428 time. There was 31981df9f7 no trace d050fcfefa of fatigue 1a1b0bac89 in his 1b7337cbf3 movements.c2b770432da75e1c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Each step 951e6b3201 flexed the b8bba71991 fabric of 35b7a81cb8 Seo Ji-hyuk’s 0e77f447f9 shirt, stretching 0bf5c01066 tightly across 0cba3a7a48 his back fac19564e7 muscles before 20fc11572b relaxing again. Kang Yu-han found himself 7dbb2dbbcb captivated by the rhythmic 328813d327 motion, unable to tear 81c693c93d his eyes away.48366bbf5ac25a97

Without a word, he 54d0ffb7c0 kept climbing, following that eef64c6bfa broad, unwavering back.122b48fcc1305be0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

 b8564b4e069f1d45