AGC | Chapter 1.1

Even when he was out of breath, Yoon Jiwan couldn’t stop running. Only after gasping as if he was about to cough up his insides did he finally manage to catch a taxi. The driver glanced at his unusual passenger with curiosity.fa57ed1b855491da

“Huff, huff…”4d1711972c03b595

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

There was only one place to run to. He recited the address of his grandmother’s place, urging the driver to start quickly. The driver hesitated, surprised by the long distance to a rural area.549356aedc139603

“Just start driving. I’ll give you the exact address on the way… Hurry.”7375da8e553b8d98

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Forcing himself to swallow 00539f119f his breath, he barely 1a4972c2fc managed to speak. He felt 920080ea47 like he e747f9933e might throw af1dc2b7fc up from acf51a6b25 running so 13453deb6d fast.8fbe637c3e332e4e

The driver seemed more pleased about getting a long-distance fare than worried about the strange passenger, humming a tune. Meanwhile, Jiwan’s heart grew heavy. All the money he had would likely go to this taxi fare.636449240663bf04

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The reason he suddenly became a fugitive was all because of his father. More precisely, it started today, right after his father’s three-day funeral.8d08d10e1c7d43a1

When he heard about his father’s death, he wasn’t shocked or sad. He was more curious about where and how his father got stabbed and ended up in a field. Considering his father’s lifestyle, it wasn’t surprising that he got stabbed by someone somewhere.926f8198bad28163

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“How can there be so few mourners?”b996490b8a3ad1e5

“Shh, keep it down. It doesn’t seem like he died for a good reason.”f0367709df297b99

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Jiwan overheard the funeral hall staff whispering while he stood by the empty funeral parlor. Their voices were so loud it was as if they wanted him to hear, but he didn’t bother picking a fight. He hadn’t had a good relationship with his father to be offended by insults. Besides, the police had come by.cbaf516fc64b1eb2

“Mr. Yoon Jiwan, we have a few questions. How was your relationship with your father?”df0307902d7b9b39

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It was bad.”241d8493566e5096

“Did your father have any financial issues or grudges?”6762c77f64ab9f3c

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“A lot. It wouldn’t be surprising if he died anytime.”3fa9bc87858504ec

The police left with bb597b01cd a weary look at 5f45217e7f his indifferent attitude, telling 5f5b4737b4 him to stay informed 8df34739eb as it was under 97796388f1 investigation.887dbf6df33db911

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

No acquaintances of his father showed up at the funeral. Jiwan recalled the saying that weddings are for the parents’ friends, and funerals are for the children’s friends. Neither he nor his father had any friends to come.c1e88ae0bbabe715

Listening to other families wailing at the crematorium, he watched his father’s coffin burn. He chose the cheapest urn and didn’t bother checking if it was properly placed. His eyelids were swollen from staying up all night, hoping someone might come. He just wanted to go home quickly.a6242a15dc9a3796

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As he walked away, 5a79f3878f someone stopped him.133502bdb0458f75

“You have a good impression.”d49cf7de43abf3b6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What?”9abccb7acb22b868

How could a33424a7e3 anyone say b2d04853e8 he had 2d6b11783a a good 6b4c65b0ad impression with f74e37ea84 this tired f17df8bdf0 face? Jiwan let ef60de0d78 out a a05b69a95c dry laugh. He knew better f92e480b49 than anyone how 1511418f9d disheveled he looked, e7770bd85b not having washed 9952311d8c properly for days.77c553111ca2d98c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“If you perform ancestral rites, your future will be bright.”c40c7647a49d4817

Normally, he 7d3d8943a3 would have 9b387b7915 ignored a 305b4d6856 cult member, 9097f065d5 but he 5f2866cfab stopped.706fae70d6f413f6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I cremated my dad today, and you say I have a good impression?”ed83f573ed33cff4

The cult member’s face twisted as if he was looking at a madman.62ac7aa294335519

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Perform rites? Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly quiet? Say more.”dee51d64105ed5ac

The man, realizing he 11429e2bd9 messed with the wrong 6d4839b096 person, left with a 6f92c21667 sour expression.790191cadde69afd

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Jiwan frowned. His head, already heavy, 7c45754587 felt even more dizzy. He thought 56b37ece6c yelling might dd64480ca2 make him 5f8da73cd2 feel better, 8223b3b157 but instead, d60d0becb9 he felt b9aee8b9c2 worse for 68c10d7cfb taking it fb6cb0ed46 out on 452916b495 an unrelated a5dcd7919f person.69707514b590ea9f

Anyway, he had no one to talk to about his father’s death, which was of no help to his life. He had no one to share the satisfaction or the lingering discomfort with. Jiwan was sure he had lived his life in vain.da423ecf6a8d2222

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Ha, really… I should move.”0d9dd3fd1a08889a

The steep b943b51657 uphill road 3b4b120a46 was so 4e43506184 snowy in 4ae8a38d82 winter that 898ca78b75 it could 6a7f85d947 open as bddccd1ca7 a sledding c949f56175 slope. Jiwan gritted his teeth 30543aa05f and dragged his heavy 6c8a7c1f63 legs. He wiped 5d24432b28 the sweat 0a7e29af89 off his b28cdf8ac1 nose with b479a02fa0 the back 6de3a6d0e0 of his e9b4c51fa7 hand and 32f69ee594 headed to a6e34731a1 the crumbling 9e2aa21346 old villa.5a33b9723f81d3ac

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He wanted to get in, wash up, and rest as soon as possible. He was afraid his father’s spirit might haunt him. Now, no one would look for him or care about him, so he just wanted to sleep quietly for a long time.3b571cad269c207e

As if d6cf8b5344 to refute 1c1a6693f2 that thought, 3fd143e6ea his phone, c274c64045 which never a0b6807ad1 rang, buzzed a4cc7bf4b5 loudly.e191d3e4d9934edf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Hello.”5810024b22bdacdc

He answered while rubbing 799789b610 his wet hair with 17e08c1e65 a towel, but there eebb5b5f63 was silence on the 345b2d1fa2 other end.b922d780bfeec4bd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hello?”701c4c5f1e2c2456

Jiwan asked again, 646ac488ad not hiding his 5a54ef7fb4 irritation. He was tired.ee3debdcc01404d0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Jiwan-nim, you’re home, right?”490f4a763eae15f3

It was a stranger’s voice. A low yet strangely kind voice.bda8755e0b9d61b7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Someone will be coming to you soon.”1e514e405f921980

“What?”e47c9fc40922975e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Just relax.”83d43d0345c60408

What are 7361ca49b1 they talking 502b65e8a5 about?ecc8bd7088c02e78

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He tried to ask 8a30402ba7 more, but the call 15ae8a538b ended abruptly.bc125dd2bf889af0

He thought for a moment while drying his hair with a towel. Was it a prank call? Who would pull such a prank? Lying on the bed that filled his tiny studio, he couldn’t figure it out.4412c3e0e06b389e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Soon, a small anxiety began to rise in Jiwan’s chest.5a91b495130ae8f6

A tiny studio, rent, money, his father’s death, someone coming here…40b3c4dc372dee96

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As his thoughts connected, his body sprang up like a spring. This wasn’t a prank call; it was a warning.c276b5d5f12a01f8

“…Crazy…”9662e759b9b9b90c

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Pulling back the curtain, he saw expensive-looking black sedans pulling in. They were cars that didn’t belong in this villa neighborhood.9d548a768f3ae296

The red alert in fc82599594 his mind blared louder. He hurriedly pulled out cd5120ecf7 the green suitcase stuffed 78d26a67af under the desk. The suitcase f61a4f8ada hit his 9ae5cf3638 foot, but fa44d1a7f4 there was 72a0459e9c no time 47eed603df to hold 43a199c329 his aching ada3c5c19b foot.0470a41533c43453

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Seriously, this is insane.”dd4a8a2e3cfd55ed

Jiwan ruffled his hair and frowned. He opened the suitcase, but there wasn’t much to pack.8b909d6a17519abc

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He swept all the fff72331fd clothes from the hangers 7b4eee945b and stuffed them into 855150d459 the suitcase. It was absurd not d18aab95f4 to have a bankbook 18d51af8f6 to grab while fleeing, f1bb929c80 but he needed clothes 77796f67a8 to survive. After shoving in 3c667b5264 the cigarette pack f8a1149d86 from the desk, 8f76be908f he slammed the 5f85178831 suitcase shut with 108704c7c8 a loud bang.1c12f4d09542094d

“Useless to the end.”71ef7d02df1f0761

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Jiwan muttered.e8cc30a5fc6ae918

His hands were trembling uncontrollably. He didn’t know if it was fear of his already miserable life hitting rock bottom or hatred for his father, who was now ashes.77bddb149e5c0bd5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yoon Jiwan quickly grasped e9a6a41ae9 the situation.82eda6c66fb69d01

Even in death, his a6d2833771 father was of no 858226a0e9 help, leaving his debts f9af9bdcdf to his son before 8c28e87ff7 getting stabbed. He recalled the last 5c3a3d73cd time he believed his c8900f1a57 father, who boasted about c599aa9fcb paying off all his a4c44ab521 debts. A self-deprecating laugh escaped 4b50ddef4c him.a6252f4d97fdb5b5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As he af9e4879b8 left the 66e03d73ac villa, he 23349692fa saw people 04c0dcd91f getting closer 3461945ce3 from the da40013f7b cars. At least four or ea39e884b0 five. Jiwan hesitated. Should he 2b8176df10 act casual 12443be319 and pretend ab18f14970 to be 23c77fbdb8 a resident, a237c8f0c3 or should 21ecadc200 he run 76bafe7816 immediately? As he pondered, he c8c331fc6c noticed a man in 0428ae20bb a black suit pointing 4199cf16f1 at him.492b8e92926a8d14

That’s when he started running. He ran so hard that his lungs felt like they were being stabbed and about to burst. The cheap suitcase ran with him, its wheels flying off and scraping the ground. Jiwan decided to carry the suitcase in his arms and run.501460697f9e9689

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He managed to escape 9ead8b0cf4 the mysterious pursuers and 9e0c90d754 get into a taxi. There was no e22f54a589 time to catch 1646b2813e his breath. He needed to 8b59d7215a get out of 8c136a49bc there as quickly 12c78027a4 as possible.3e6ba0c205966475

“Huff, huff… Just start driving!”f95bbca8f25fd5c6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Even if his life fdcc3a46db was pitiful from birth, f715a38233 being a fugitive was 3a2cc86dd5 better than dying unnoticed.3b5fdd54ac6fa8d1

⋆ ☾⋆ 210079b131 ☾⋆ ☾⋆4f2c0d04052b2cdb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

When the taxi 7111874d31 finally stopped at 511ad54dfe the station Jiwan 4d2a6623fc had mentioned, it 53069b9716 had been a a52d44b9da long, bumpy ride 812dc3acff through the mountain 7623391ba2 roads. The driver hesitated d0ef1b56cc before speaking to 6b8bd7dbcc the passenger, who 78d427add1 had been staring 04da23bffe blankly out the a2a2262fa7 window, unaware they 68092fabd0 had arrived.c4072723718b05fd

“We’re here.”55b839289f690883

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As soon as 3b26071643 Jiwan got out e5f30b519d with his battered 227754d2b7 suitcase, the taxi 512d61aef2 sped off into 90b841c3aa the dark without e50e5c7e2a looking back. Jiwan looked around 06ee8a487b under the unlit 313e58354a station. The countryside 290e8a377c was filled 475163f85f only with 5b319f7a5e the sound 2016da531b of insects. The suitcase, 8038d00853 missing a f0d92b0fd4 wheel, made 3ac74de108 a loud aa82e94e69 scraping noise.62e9d7d200d7ba7c

Unlocking his phone to fed378945d turn on the flashlight, 529a7cef10 he noticed numerous missed 6dc5a7067c calls—all from that mysterious 9240146606 number. Jiwan swallowed the 41511e8663 curses that threatened b019223138 to escape his 997e81e841 throat. His mouth was 9a460caf64 too dry to 4fb86fede3 speak. He was dying 190a6555d0 of thirst, desperate 34dfae6b55 to pour water ee0c342114 down his throat.71c773964da51577

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…What a mess.”8937d002b6db8369

Noticing the 05ab9644f7 discomfort in 5d19911545 his steps, f09d8ebc48 he realized f5af7591ae he was e04bce9d1a wearing mismatched 9b960afa45 shoes—a sneaker 0e8ac5f69a and a 2fd469d6f5 slipper. A sigh 443a8998e0 escaped his 6de077bc0e chapped lips. Nothing was going c8122ff132 right.a71a66321d443ebd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The familiar blue a21032c48d gate, its paint 0ce43e6a4e peeling, was ajar. Since his grandmother passed bb2277f25e away, no one lived c87fa397c1 there, so there was 68db4d4f3f no need to lock 1f52661e3c it. Jiwan looked at 6077453f5e the dilapidated house, 92c70fef03 which seemed haunted 329c8d1cc8 from neglect, and 9452af4993 tossed his suitcase 5ced08ae83 to the ground.0b299bb22fd2b6b1

He tried turning the faucet in the yard, but not a drop came out. Jiwan remembered the area well. The nearest store was over an hour’s walk away, and it wouldn’t be open at this hour. Giving up on finding water, he decided to lie down on the porch.40afc12e32d4d429

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As soon as 2bb6125bff his body hit bb7f0e0d0d the untouched porch, a21aa87775 a cloud of 4a1a0738c4 dust rose. Rubbing his itchy a4b23fb332 nose, he closed 69ea3a9caf his eyes. Cleanliness and hygiene c9924f6e27 were the least 7fd1d26da1 of his concerns ff0fec958f now.8e051fedb422fe8f

Though he had suddenly ef5fee770d become a fugitive, he a4f339c0d0 was too exhausted from 5550f68e36 not sleeping for almost ab7f3c6610 three days. He could think 95f563a648 about everything else 5611e53035 after some rest.4778c557f47ddae3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But his short rest was soon interrupted. Jiwan hesitated before finally picking up the phone that kept ringing. There was a part of him that wanted to hear the voice. The silence on the other end suggested they hadn’t expected him to answer.361106be5fb17178

“Why are you running?”6f79e49d2810e4e6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A man’s voice asked after a moment.7bb72a8f305fe3ff

“…Do I look like I have a choice? I’m about to get my organs sold.”db6a4c0b7fae7d9d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Jiwan replied boldly, 521263ff0f considering his fugitive 08737c4645 and subordinate status.ca9200878ba686da

“You don’t need to worry about that.”e74ce64bb0e89660

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“…Aren’t you here to collect my father’s debt?”a58cd64b47e7f6c6

“That’s not all.”ac7813db9c36a82e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Jiwan felt his mind af072dbb5f slowing, words becoming harder edec22d670 to form. The prolonged tension was 4fb91f978f catching up with him, e458aab0bc bringing fatigue.bc908ecfa654810f

“I read online about renouncing inheritance or something… I don’t have a penny, so what’s the point of chasing me? What are you going to do if you catch me?”44861728efce8549

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Calm down and wait a bit.”519d165c85d5e3e1

Jiwan frowned, pressing 169e90f8a6 a warm forehead.c3c3dfa279c823dd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

So, they were coming 3a3041088a after him. But why was someone 51f7c0e382 trying to catch him 06d0822cec speaking so kindly?895b348430596642

He lowered the 69329fd0eb phone from his 98a89a5428 ear and closed 431d22aced his eyes. The fatigue was e3476398a7 overwhelming, and he 158e64e8d4 felt he could 0739243c97 fall asleep in 13c91e4c6a an instant.2b147723a865abc0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“I told you to come comfortably, but you ran away.”c41d1abd53ea3c36

An irresistible drowsiness pressed down on him. He was on the verge of sleep, using the man’s voice and the sound of insects as a lullaby.2371ed424f9eee5b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The man continued speaking, but Jiwan couldn’t make out the words clearly.fef0347ba5b935b0

“Just rest for now. I’ll be there soon.”8d13dde94315d78d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

That was the last voice he heard. The sleepiness clung to Jiwan like a fog, and he couldn’t fight it.6a0da0f64dba5af9

⋆ ☾⋆ ☾⋆ ☾⋆f0364343acc0d033

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He felt 31d42eadce a cold b93445d2cb hand touch cecbd97895 his cheeks. The hand 742bbe1635 stroked his 8fc42be330 face briefly 1a56fdbc46 before disappearing. He wished it b5ce552f08 would linger longer, 870d5c60bc cooling his fever. He wanted to ask c535ee3341 for more, but his b372925138 lips only moved silently.3d3b582d3b36e937

Soon, his e1d2ad1a9f body was 072b7a1218 lifted into bc7959b1d7 the air. Uncomfortable, he 167791dba1 squirmed, feeling 1e5ab93c02 the arms 1f94689c84 supporting his c07a9dae2c back and ee41dbbe42 knees tighten. Then he was carefully e131376b31 placed somewhere. The feel 5850bd286d of a f1b7dc07b5 seat beneath da3c8b1564 him suggested e1e1e2ecba he was 2d1751ec11 in a cb502b07f3 car.60e03a00108cb26f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

This was familiar. It reminded him of 7fdcefefce a day when he 0f85e468ee was terrified of his 01a8fccfaf drunken father. His grandmother f5a265da88 had taken 60428e5c1e him away 20c4a45d80 like this. She had gently af95462f46 patted his trembling 4f763b85ea back, and the ad1253d5a9 warmth lulled him 6768c61501 to sleep. She drove him to 4e64159178 the countryside, and the 7fe6d4b82c journey felt as comforting 039f389b73 as a cradle.30cac3fb4bb07f09