“Hmm? But what’s this? Why do you have bruises on your arm? You weren’t beaten, were you?”
For a moment, Kim Cheolsu’s expression turned serious.
“Ah… no, it’s nothing. I’m fine. It’s nothing at all, Doctor. Just some minor injuries from training. Please don’t worry.”
Trying to cover up the bruises by pulling down the trainee’s sleeves, Kim Cheolsu stopped him and lifted the patient’s shirt.
The trainee’s upper body was covered with hideous bruises. Not only on his arms, but bruises were everywhere.
These were not injuries from training.
He had just witnessed the worst cruelty inflicted on powerless soldiers in the army.
Assault—clear signs of assault—were all over his body.
Kim Cheolsu’s anger flared up, and he shouted.
“Those bastards…! So that’s why the instructors stuck close by. Were they afraid the trainees would tell the military doctor? Is there anyone outside?! Bring the sergeant here immediately! Hurry!!!”
*****
The sergeant who was hastily called in looked ashen.
Until just moments ago, he had been yelling to chase Kim Cheolsu away, but now he was afraid of why the major had called him back.
“W-Why have you summoned me?”
“Do you know why this guy’s body looks like this? Anyone can see he was subjected to cruel abuse. Look at those dark bruises. How did his whole body end up like this?”
“I… I really don’t know. Please forgive me. If this gets out, I’ll be done for. I have a wife and children waiting for me at home. I can’t lose my job.”
“So you do know something. Speak up. If you tell me, I can help you.”
“…… I really don’t know. I’m innocent. I was just following orders from above. Who would do such a thing…!”
The sergeant spoke as if frustrated, saying he had no knowledge. But Kim Cheolsu wasn’t a military prosecutor and couldn’t make an immediate arrest.
After thinking for a moment, Kim Cheolsu concluded the sergeant probably didn’t know the full story behind the abuse.
Someone of a sergeant’s rank wouldn’t have beaten the trainee personally or ordered the assault.
So, after some hesitation, Kim Cheolsu decided to coax him.
“I’ll admit this patient to the hospital and protect him. That way, he won’t be tormented anymore. But you have to go back to the unit and not tell the higher-ups that I’m aware of this situation. Instead, investigate who’s been bullying him and report back.”
“An investigation? Me? I don’t know anything…”
This guy was definitely uninvolved.
Judging by his reaction, he seemed unaware of the abuse.
If that was the case, using him to track down the culprit would be an effective method.
“Right. Go back and quietly find out. The culprit must be among the training instructors or fellow trainees. If you find the perpetrator and tell me, I’ll make sure you won’t be held responsible.”
Mentioning appropriate incentives brightened the sergeant’s expression. He had expected the military doctor to blow the whistle and cause trouble, but this was a relief.
He quickly agreed to cooperate.
“Sniff… sniff… I couldn’t tell anyone. I was afraid it would get worse and come back as a bigger problem, ruining the rest of my military service. But now that you’re helping me, Doctor, I feel relieved yet worried. What if something goes wrong and I end up in the brig… I’m scared.”
“The brig? No way! I won’t let that happen. It’s hard to explain now, but get admitted to the hospital first and heal your body and mind. When you feel brave enough later, tell me who did this. Then I can catch that bastard before he leaves the training camp.”
“……”
No Gi-nam looked downcast, intimidated, and said nothing.
That was why Kim Cheolsu had negotiated with the sergeant.
Since the non-commissioned officer had nothing to do with the abuse aside from command responsibility, he would actively help identify the culprit. Meanwhile, Kim Cheolsu could distance himself.
Having been in the military for a long time, Kim Cheolsu could easily see through the predictable thinking of non-commissioned officers and officers.
Though such irresponsible attitudes were unpleasant, they could help solve this incident.
Kim Cheolsu gave a glance to Shin Seyoung, who had been watching from afar with a pained look.
She approached with a warm smile and helped No Gi-nam to his feet.
“Let’s get you admitted now. I’ll show you the way.”
“Ah. Yes. Thank you.”
No Gi-nam’s face flushed bright red like a beetroot as the pretty nurse officer smiled and supported him.
For a moment, he forgot his painful reality and took steps on his partially casted body.
Since his legs were not injured, he should adapt well to hospital life.
Watching No Gi-nam and Shin Seyoung walk away, Kim Cheolsu bit his lip.
Though a long time had passed, the military showed no signs of change.
He never expected such a miserable incident to happen right here in the training camp where military life had just begun.
He swore to catch the ringleader and make him pay, then continued treating patients.
There were still many patients, so there was no time to rest until lunchtime.
As he walked toward the cafeteria after seeing patients for a long time… someone called out to him.
It was singer Ha Saebyeok, her face masked.
“Excuse me. Let’s have lunch together today, Major.”
Coincidentally, Kim Cheolsu also had something to discuss, so instead of going to the cafeteria, he headed up to the trauma surgery ward.
Captain Bang wasn’t there, and he passed by trauma surgery nurse officers who glared at him before entering a single room.
Thud
Closing the door left just the two of them in an awkward silence.
Ha Saebyeok looked at the two meal trays on the table and said,
“Let’s talk while we eat.”
“Sounds good. I’m starving anyway.”
The lunch menu wasn’t bad, but Kim Cheolsu couldn’t focus on eating.
He kept thinking about the subway flooding accident that had appeared in his dream.
With a serious expression, he pondered how to respond to the accident that would happen six days from now.
To do that, he first had to go to Seoul—and he planned to see the celebrity patient she had requested.
Ha Saebyeok glanced around nervously and got to the point.
“Have you thought about the celebrity patient I asked you to see last time? He’s a heavy-handed guy, so the compensation will be high. If you don’t want the money, I can get you anything you want. Do you have a favorite celebrity? I can arrange a meeting.”
Embarrassed to make such an offer as a top star, Ha Saebyeok squirmed and avoided eye contact.
Still, it was an effective incentive—if Kim Cheolsu had been a normal man.
He shook his head.
“Thanks for the generous offer, but I’m not really interested in celebrities. I’m a military doctor—I don’t plan to accept any money. Anyway, I have business in Seoul that day, so I can see the celebrity patient too.”
“Oh my, really? That’s lucky! Thank you, Doctor. I won’t forget this favor—”
Ha Saebyeok’s bright smile was truly beautiful.
Kim Cheolsu felt his gaze linger unintentionally and deliberately looked away.
He reminded himself that now was the time to focus on patients.
Besides, he didn’t want to get deeply involved in the complicated entertainment industry.
He had his reasons for returning to Hampyeong.
After that, they exchanged various trivial conversations.
Ha Saebyeok explained she was still in the military hospital because reporters and malicious fans had come looking for her.
Her agency had asked for her to stay hospitalized longer to avoid the noisy situation.
Kim Cheolsu thought it was fortunate the surgical patients were stable and not moving around.
Changing hospitals would only delay rehabilitation.
After finishing their meal and about to leave, she clicked her fingers and said,
“By the way, did you hear? A new deputy chief of medical affairs arrived at Hampyeong Hospital. What was his name again? Park Jeong… I can’t quite remember.”
“I see. I’ll meet him one day. If you’re done, I’ll be going now. The weather’s nice—try going outside for a bit. Rehabilitation is important.”
“… Okay. Thank you, Doctor.”
Thud
Hearing the door close, Ha Saebyeok let out a long sigh.
“Doctor, you really don’t care about celebrities, do you? I’m grateful you’re treating my friend, but you’re way too professional and cold with me.”
She had been loved by many people, but seeing the doctor’s stiff attitude surprised her.
“Even though we were alone in the same room, you had no expression…”
With beautiful, sad eyes, Ha Saebyeok smiled bitterly, recalling Kim Cheolsu’s serious demeanor.
*****
Heading out the door toward the cafeteria, Kim Cheolsu ran into someone.
A man wearing the rank insignia of a major on his shoulder.
He had a stern demeanor and seemed taciturn.
His owl-like, piercing eyes made him look even more intimidating.
Wearing the insignia of a different unit, he approached Kim Cheolsu and spoke.
“Are you military doctor Kim Cheolsu?”
“Yes, that’s me. Who are you? If it’s nothing urgent, please tell me later. I have afternoon consultations to attend to.”
Kim Cheolsu eyed him suspiciously and tried to avoid him.
No matter how he looked, the man didn’t seem to be a patient.
He radiated the scent of strong authority.
Kim Cheolsu despised such power and tried to keep his distance, but the man showed no intention of letting go.
As soldiers brushed past them, the stranger grabbed Kim Cheolsu’s arm firmly with one hand and said with a serious look,
“I am Major Hong Se-ung, dedicated aide to the Military Police Chief at Army Headquarters (Brigadier General = One-Star).
Military doctor, may I have a moment to talk? This is very important. It concerns the safety of the Chief…”