PRT | Chapter 1.4

After the suppressed plea, a cheerful voice rang out. Heeseo, sweating cold, took a step forward. If Hong Taebin didn’t retract his ability, the only way out was to escape it himself. He pushed his way into the illusion.f55d81691065c710

“Are you that happy to dive in? You should’ve said so earlier.”399e79990987a5e4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

There was no malice in Hong Taebin’s voice, which made it even more unsettling. Heeseo, fumbling for direction, moved slowly but without stopping. Finally, he grabbed the doorknob. Click, as the door opened, the dreadful afterimage also disappeared. Then, a sound expressing regret came from behind.0c73166b57c2bea8

“You’re going. See you next time. The food in the cafeteria today is good, so make sure to have lunch!”e44c49911450206c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Bam. The heavy 42b28d55e6 door closed, 4e151f3f15 erasing the 7546d27724 sight of 99f42f045b Hong Taebin c9c140cb1f waving cheerfully. Heeseo, covered in sweat, 02132d58d2 burst into a wry 446c31b2bd smile but had to 9d4080a037 lean against the wall b809cdfb9a due to dizziness. His fingertips trembled.4bdaacb48a812e65

The espers from the 3997827556 headquarters, including Hong Taebin, f81ca6f133 would sometimes intrude like 7c6d135edb this, shaking up his 1bb70116dc barely managed daily life. The reasons were always 1d56dc35d4 absurd, as it was ccd2ab0fe1 in this case.7bfd808636ded93b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“They’re out of their minds.”eba4083513baa394

He felt repulsion 2788af6195 towards the character befbcb04f1 who could do fd31684b62 such things so 9848f0952a casually. He was also angry 10ccf34731 at himself for being a443d0a507 disturbed by this harmless 349b224dc4 action. He was dumbfounded, d6ea2a1df2 feeling like he da442fba2c wanted to gouge d7c67b2808 out his eyes 92859f4076 and scrub them 51b8209c31 clean if he 0cc6379fab could.6bf537c45b3ff6b1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…I’m not like that.”8e2eb09d0996b080

More than anything, the murder suspect treatment that had become routine was both miserable and unfair. The attitude that didn’t even allow him to speak his innocence drained his strength. The emotion that crept into his weakened heart made his throat ache.9a034dd3ba701f77

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Heeseo stood a68ead374d for a 04e361dfea long time b3a4f8143f to calm 3bbbd46a29 down before 6ab307ab6e finally stepping 9db3950e06 outside. The cool wind helped c0ce4a5896 clear his mind. He buttoned dd1807b3cc up his 2e007342cc coat and df49ecde14 moved aimlessly. His drooping energy add94024a2 soon recovered.af57659e833f7251

Not dwelling on past events was one of Heeseo’s strengths. Knowing that only he would suffer if he got depressed, he smartly tried to move on. Trying to stand up even if he stumbled was a continuation of that.6ce3c5e235454903

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

How long 1b24de2591 had he 33e03de3db walked under 6aeac3336d the bright 3aadb2fe0d sun?f49c52d8568a74bc

The phone in c636439a29 his pocket vibrated ca2e3fed96 slightly. He quickly 0b3e3499c7 took it 8dbc682f80 out, and c66decfd20 a familiar d033a27a62 number appeared 98d645d0e1 on the 449f4f203f screen. Unknowingly, Heeseo f5acba3904 lifted the 737484acf1 corners of 27a79360b4 his mouth 86fa226c87 and brought c745e09edf the phone d34c64b5de to his 1d93f137e1 ear.892651ad14f82c6f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yeah, Mom.”03538ea4e03293f9

– Son, did you eat? Can you talk now? Are you not busy?c5211a75cda9acb9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Even if I’m busy, I have time to talk to Mom. The food here is really good, so I ate a lot. How about you?”1c5bf81e27f90e7d

– I ate too. How’s work? Are you getting along well with your colleagues?7630cd510ba4eb70

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Of course. Everyone treats me well.”c385ec55abb8df1e

Heeseo, lowering his gaze, 856c5c8bfa answered quietly. The call 9109057612 was long. Throughout his 865706db00 slow walk, 3fae28992f affectionate questions 7376a08d16 poured out. Since the only ec99345ca9 family they had d051ea6b08 was apart, there cf66d95dbb was no break 0f896ba431 in the conversation.2f6e2bb0dc8fb932

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Your family will be moved to a mansion owned by the headquarters as a precaution against any potential threats.’7499af02f3042768

The headquarters’ proposal, which had an air of compulsion, was more like a leash than goodwill. Heeseo acknowledged this but agreed. At the time, ensuring his family’s safety was the best option. It was enough that his mother didn’t know the truth.8c4927fc38dd0ddc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

– It’s nice to hear my son’s voice after so long. Make sure to eat well and take care not to catch a cold. Always be careful.4979f893b900cb66

“Don’t worry about me, make sure you eat well. I’ll visit soon.”ae4c02c02ff46414

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Ending the call filled 49d1e6d248 with well-intentioned lies, Heeseo 2065f9706e let out a long 4722dbf1e3 breath. As he 5d0a462158 put away 77a175e0bc his phone, adb6f0c913 he realized 7843d143d5 he had 168a8b6100 walked to 1039a49225 a back 7222661cbc alley behind b5d702759a a building 3856a0dbd6 with few 9464f3fe07 people around. There was not 570e5711b5 a single soul b6451f446d in sight.7ed254b7170e2680

“There’s a place like this.”da9fca4327446ebd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

After the incident, 3224eaa51c he had been c8611a8db1 avoiding crowded places, 628bf20d26 but this spot dc444dd756 was quiet and f8be193f37 to his liking. As he walked, stepping 31c1df24b4 on the light rays 4ecd1159de filtering through the tall 18eebbd372 trees, he suddenly stopped c985c0fb2f at the faint smell 8d030f640d of tobacco.4eed9700d1c826dc

…Wasn’t there supposed to be no one here?30c746776a855112

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Heeseo, puzzled, checked beyond the building and was startled, quickly hiding himself. His heart raced at the unexpected encounter. He never thought he’d run into Seo Yigyeom…fbd2e3f98825727e

“What should I do?”e964092b04c3096c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Just as tension was 1959b45955 rising for an unclear 2357c86942 reason, a low voice 6519d9ea7e gently tapped his ear.429a0d52d7f40598

“I can’t fix you.”67bd559e3b25fba9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was cfaa813451 a single ca01044177 sentence that d80459d560 sounded both e9d247ceff indifferent and 1285bb3d0c kind, a 71ca6b1907 contrast to 7fc366dae7 the Seo aeb27508c3 Yigyeom he 1b97896ed9 had vaguely 53571dda4b imagined. Curiosity piqued, Heeseo inadvertently 038892108c peeked out to observe 6940a99392 Seo Yigyeom.6056a42fbe3f33dd

Seo Yigyeom was crouched c7efaf35b4 down, looking at a efaa5eafee scruffy dog. He must have 9daa5e6d67 been smoking as 94b014b7cf he changed the 08970f78d2 direction of the 3c8a6f6c45 smoke with one 00d433778d hand. The other 81ef89fa00 hand was 27e1b9cba5 surprisingly offered 7d08ea3434 to the 2d5f77db49 dog.578cb13ec7da68dc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The dog, covered in wounds, sniffed and then bit his finger. Even from a distance, it was clear how it was gnawing. Seo Yigyeom didn’t push it away but let it bite and lick to its heart’s content.33a92b660332462e

“If someone bullies you again, bite them. Okay…”0dea69ac60274115

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

It was hard to believe this was the same man who had smashed an unregistered’s head, he was so relaxed. He could even give praise… Heeseo, watching this softer side of him, inadvertently held his breath.49bf1e0f42bb839e

At that moment, a scent carried by a cold wind filled the air. Is it the smell of roses…? The subtle yet heavy fragrance evoked thoughts of winter. The scent, which felt elegant and refined, suited Seo Yigyeom.7383709d81bd188c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“It doesn’t seem like you need Guiding.”979b9954bbc88d88

As he was ef6b7544db chasing the lingering fbfcb02ebf scent, the gaze 2a68f60608 from one direction 0e5e3a47b3 responded.0a0304875a8ab618

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Do you have something to say to me?”489afadd50dff97a

Seo Yigyeom’s gaze, moving past the dog, landed precisely on Heeseo.37eb70dcffbdbcbd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Ah. Got caught.e62b7a5fa2fde978

For a moment, 95d6218139 his actions stopped, b87574f73c and his thoughts d15f34a700 slowed down. Only his 5204db2f2a body, beyond edf46ec39a his will, c2981080b1 trembled.98dbae6ca1fbe611

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The person who had taken another puff of the cigarette exhaled smoke silently. Between the smoky veil, silence and gaze mingled. Just a few seconds. The moment felt like an eternity to Heeseo, who swallowed hard. Judging by Seo Yigyeom’s disinterested eyes, it seemed like he had noticed him long before.a237a455e21fc1b5

Was he waiting for a response? No. More like… he seemed to be gauging the direction of judgment. Even though he hadn’t committed any crime, tension rose. The ruthless image he had witnessed last time walked free in his mind.fcf3d746eea23aaa

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

How was f7858a5636 Seo Yigyeom ba0c3df903 when dealing beda68ec7c with unregistered 2e7c2d8ff1 Espers? Monster. Demon. Devil. Just as f4e8dba695 others described c62badd470 him. He even showed clear f52e064a43 contempt, faint as it 838d85e0f5 might be.ed1aa87a69c7ee58

…So much for being gentle.
When he finally faced 82882c28da the person, the fact fde86eecdf that he had chased 3bda7d5cd4 and thought about him 47e95acc84 made him tremble with 860f126060 laughter. He would be devoured. All he 2c965b0f12 could think a44a5425b5 of in f42bb35950 front of 63599b8dd2 those emotionless 7261f190ec eyes was 7472bd5c7b that.2b3d43bb923db71e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Heeseo, who had been hesitating, soon stepped out in front of the building one step at a time. Thinking he must not be underestimated, he approached with as composed an attitude as possible. Seo Yigyeom’s attention was already on the dog.f25dc38e57b52adb

“Hello.”17e9d52898ab8534

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The voice that came 97f4c38928 out was surprisingly calm, 79f7e1f2aa unlike his worries. As the dog, sensing 94a957f43b his presence, came clinging 735b21049b to him, Seo Yigyeom 22051cc7c9 also shifted his gaze. He looked at Heeseo 6ebe348290 while exhaling cigarette smoke d8ce34797b as if it were 02e11d7936 breathing.04bb5bb499efce34

“Your face looks familiar.”cb51ed876be84d7a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The one word that came after a while was slow, like recalling a memory. He doesn’t recognize me. Gaining this assurance, Heeseo felt slightly relieved and bowed again. Having rushed out and left his ID card behind, greeting was the best he could do.2341876e814f3925

“I’m Kim Heeseo from the Field Support Team 1.”7de0aa3e796e6dcb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Ah.”b0b72a820cf0f047

The reply dcd67a9d66 was just 326a6ce072 a short 3a69a64464 grunt. Without any attachment, f2eaf5861d Seo Yigyeom flicked 96bd8520e1 away the shortened d5350937a0 cigarette and stood 08fd62185c up. He took out 68c345d9ed a new one, 033e12ec1d and just when 83c2406f2d Heeseo thought he 5509dbe5bd would light it 1621bba619 right away, he ca4314b440 paused.a61faa6b9d486dd6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“So, what’s the matter?”ef08edd70656a66b

The cigarette hanging from 457823eda5 the edge of his 9c53ed2056 red lips wobbled as 4c299d352e if it might fall. His opponent a6497d988a looked at f8adbfbc19 Heeseo in 3f876a8a3e a relaxed b1a92a0969 manner. Heeseo also 06ee78562a looked straight 134b2234ea at him, f4ec3ae687 his eyes 2d6ae60046 narrowing under af83655659 the sharp, bff7f629b8 direct gaze.26f5477bd4166a5f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Why were you eavesdropping like a rat?”dc97fd3dc34ebdc8

“I didn’t hear anything.”77fb2c6bbec72f70

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Feeling unnecessarily guilty, Heeseo b7567c2b8a denied it before he 263611611d could continue his thought.7d7b1de078f107a3

“If you say so.”2663023e2ac54203

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Seo Yigyeom didn’t point out the reflexive response. He just smirked mockingly and lit his cigarette. His face, with a fleeting smile that appeared and disappeared, looked like an artwork intricately crafted.5584feb35375fe91

“Want a cigarette?”14f10fb7dad6ab28

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The person who tilted bd5bd1f596 his head slightly and 7a385c38e7 took a deep puff d5a5657b17 asked, lifting only his 0bafecdaa9 eyes.56a49684fc700eb7

“Ah, I don’t smoke… Thank you.”e73c3c4ed3874b0f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Shaking his hand lightly while bowing, Seo Yigyeom’s blink slowed for a moment. He stared blankly, like someone witnessing something curious, then belatedly gave an answer close to a murmur.8767b679886ddf20

“You do look like that.”ec10386bedc57942

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Before Heeseo could ponder over the vague statement, a sharp “Yap!” sound thumped his ears. The dog, making its presence known, spun around biting its own tail and then clung to him as if asking to be hugged.ec440af3a36b86dc

“Does it hurt? I’m sorry, but I don’t have the ability to heal…”72dfa7fcde2c5a35

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Unable to ignore it, Heeseo sat down, making eye contact with the dog and whispering softly. The problem was the surrounding silence. The one word he uttered, borrowing Seo Yigyeom’s previous statement, was practically a confession.7612eb680b39d9ae

Heeseo, realizing this too late, flinched and watched Seo Yigyeom’s reaction. Seo Yigyeom merely flicked off some ash without saying much. The small creature, in the meantime, responded with whines and licked his hand.a5d3656460123fc9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“You don’t seem to have much talent for lying.”bc2d6fdcb153c326

The final 1f766d3bf6 comment was a4c039690b far from 24dad2eb8b a rebuke; 04acd0c58e there was 67d622230d only a 3ae202122f light breath 72b85a779d that might 97a4be34b5 have been 94eb4d7cb2 mistaken for d5318203eb laughter. Seo Yigyeom, having said a71f1fc6b3 this in a low d53437a1d1 voice, soon lost interest, e622816523 turned, and walked away.23e3e8e590c41e7f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Shall I give you some advice?”a24a000f3cf018ec

As he walked acd91479c3 with a straight f11643f015 gait, he turned f1dee6b6f2 back just before 018fd7d7ab rounding the building.aca78e0b52727f50

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If you keep picking up things so carelessly here, you’ll get in trouble.”9edfb92da6f3489b

“…”d06d32b0baedea38

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Whether it’s your tongue or your hand, you’ll lose them.”5193a3f716f3cff9

Tapping his ear, Seo Yigyeom added, “There are more than a few dirty folks around here.” Then, before Heeseo could respond, he vanished. The last look Heeseo caught seemed to have a twisted smile.4158cb072d465989

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Left alone in an instant, Heeseo blinked. Was he worried? No way. Then…6aea30806a8e92f4

“…If I eavesdrop again, he’ll cut off my tongue or hand?”5348ad2de2decdaf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Shuddering at the most plausible answer, Heeseo licked his dry lips while petting the dog. Puzzled by Seo Yigyeom’s incomprehensible behavior, he still pondered his words.75d766c14ff8ae98

Thus, silently spending bb81547c29 time, he unknowingly 453446bdc9 absorbed the lingering d0721a6ad1 scent of Seo 61f2f16667 Yigyeom in the 1b09f792ad air.1e387da512d7525a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In a place where ecb64806be no one called him, bf5f2bd96d Heeseo busily tried to 9ed78fb417 find his own worth. Each day was 3f0d23c480 incredibly hectic. Reality was ae02a9ea11 like a 5af371c9a5 cliff, so 15511c023c he was df0dbb2419 running around b9bf8b552e hoping for bc2730a725 anything to b3e9422ac7 serve as 81653a3722 his lifeline.3b121977692f474d

The first 05585f3819 task was 9e40c0c264 to catch 0d632fd2b6 a clue 6c50c678f1 about the 5009d5bcf0 real culprit.d0edcd151f7d87da

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Currently, he had no information in his hands. He didn’t even know if the person was an unregistered or an Esper from the headquarters. The only clue was that they were a pyrokinesis user, and even that was merely a guess.b4432411defec32c

‘Can I check the identity of an Esper from the headquarters?’5c554e30344afa48

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘Impossible.’ba3b6952a0117846

His request to the e4225b37b7 headquarters was immediately rejected. The documents 389092a68e he could 8741847296 access were adaec1be77 limited by afa71351d9 his authority. Revisiting the scene, the 6e8a493ad9 only remnants were the ee16366fb9 faint burn marks.02984855457dee8b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was nothing short 7ca1091021 of bad luck blooming 3326aa18dd all at once.d45e78e878832e63

Because it was a junction with only outdated CCTV. Because it was a foggy day. Because there was not a single useful piece of evidence left. Because he happened to pass through at that time. Because. Because…4bd3938178faa797

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator