Kim Cheolsu stepped out of the operating room and entered the patient’s family waiting room.
Though exhausted, he needed to inform them of the surgery’s outcome.
Inside the waiting room were three people.
The Military Police Chief’s wife and son, and a stranger whom Kim Cheolsu had never seen before.
He felt that this stranger was no ordinary person and cautiously approached the wife.
She asked nervously, “Doctor, how… how did the surgery go? Was his operation successful?”
“Yes. The surgery was completed successfully. He needs to be monitored in the ICU for a few days, but don’t worry too much. The Military Police Chief will wake up healthier than before the surgery.”
“Really? Thank you. Thank you so much… We couldn’t bear the thought of losing him… We were very worried. I sincerely appreciate it, Doctor…”
The son, who looked to be in his 40s, wore a military uniform and already bore the rank of Major on his epaulets.
He repeatedly bowed his head, expressing his deep gratitude.
“Thank you for saving my father. I will never forget this favor, Doctor. I currently work at the Army Counterintelligence Command. If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Anyone who dares to harm you, I will tear apart everything about them—even down to how many pairs of underwear they own—and make them pay.”
The father was the Military Police Chief, and the son was already a Major working at the army’s top intelligence agency, the Counterintelligence Command—clearly an elite military family.
Kim Cheolsu had no desire to get close to such formidable people, but he could not ignore their kindness.
So he responded out of courtesy.
“Understood. If anything comes up, I will definitely let you know. You can’t enter the ICU, but if you have questions, please ask Lieutenant Shin Seyoung. She will provide detailed information about the patient’s condition.”
“Thank you for your consideration. May we wait here in the waiting room until my father wakes up?”
“That’s up to you. We must accommodate the patient’s family’s wishes. I will notify the guard post, so you can come and go if you need anything. I’ll also arrange for you to use the medical staff’s on-call room to sleep. I’ll clear a room so your mother can use it.”
“Thank you. It’s such a major surgery, so we’re quite anxious.”
After finishing his conversation with the family, Kim Cheolsu was about to leave the patient waiting room when someone called out to him.
It was the stranger from before.
He whispered meaningfully in Kim Cheolsu’s ear.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
Kim Cheolsu followed him into the corridor, curious about who this person could be.
No matter how he looked, this man did not seem like a civilian.
“But who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”
“Me? Haha! Are you a soldier who doesn’t even recognize the Army Chief of Staff’s face? I’m General Heo Gwanghyuk. We spoke over the phone. Although I’m in civilian clothes now, that’s a bit disappointing. You should’ve at least looked me up, man! Aren’t you a little careless?”
“… General, what brings you all the way here?”
Kim Cheolsu didn’t play along with the joke.
Instead, he stared at him suspiciously.
After all, this was the man who had pressured him into performing the surgery.
He couldn’t shake the suspicion that he might try the same again.
Heo Gwanghyuk sighed and spoke with a tone of regret.
“You really dislike me, don’t you? But I’m the Army Chief of Staff—don’t you think that expression is a bit much?”
“I’m a bit tired right now. I’d appreciate it if you could get straight to the point, General.”
Though Heo Gwanghyuk revealed his identity, Kim Cheolsu didn’t even salute and looked annoyed.
He silently thought that this doctor truly had no interest in power.
But that didn’t leave a bad impression.
He felt Heo was different from all the other doctors he’d dealt with and found him more likable for it.
Heo chuckled heartily and said confidently.
“I was the one who sent the Military Police Chief here. That’s why I came—to hear the surgery results directly. The Military Police Chief is someone I hold dear. Also… honestly, there are some matters between us that need to be sorted out. I thought you might resent me for pushing the surgery. It’s best to clear up misunderstandings quickly, don’t you think? Haha!”
Misunderstandings? Kim Cheolsu wanted to say, “You forced the surgery, didn’t you?” but held back.
He wanted to listen first.
If the General had come all this way, he must have something to say.
“I sent an official letter of cooperation so you could freely have surgery at other hospitals, just as you requested. But honestly, I wasn’t sure if that would satisfy you. The letter doesn’t carry formal legal authority. So I carefully prepared something you’d want.”
“… What do you mean?”
Kim Cheolsu asked, curious.
When the Army Chief of Staff gave a long preamble like this, it was surely no ordinary gift.
Heo smiled and said confidently.
“Tomorrow morning, you’ll be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. I’ve already discussed it with the Director of the Defense Medical Command, a Major General. You’ve saved a considerable number of patients, all from very difficult surgeries. Among them were celebrities and generals, which raised the prestige of military hospitals quite a bit. Haha! Even Ha Saebyeok from S.E.A is currently at this hospital, isn’t she? The military authorities decided it’s time to reward you. So, what do you think of my gift?”
“Thank you. But Lieutenant Colonel is the same rank as the head of General Surgery, isn’t it? Does this mean I’ll be transferred somewhere else?”
“Yes. We’ve given that a lot of thought. It seems you like Hampyeong. Plus, you want to perform surgeries at other military hospitals… So we created a team that suits your preferences.”
“… Excuse me? What do you mean?”
Kim Cheolsu was growing more confused.
Creating a new team? That was on a whole other scale.
Of course, the Army Chief of Staff was the top figure in the army and a four-star general, so he could do as he pleased.
Still, surprised, Kim Cheolsu asked, and the General explained.
“You’ll be promoted to ‘Head of the Critical Surgery Team’ directly under the Defense Medical Command. How do you like that? It’s the perfect position for someone who loves surgery. Since it’s under the Medical Command, you’ll be able to perform surgeries at any military hospital you want. Your headquarters will be here at Hampyeong Hospital, and you’ll travel to other hospitals as needed.”
“This appointment considers that all military hospitals are subordinate units of the Medical Command… This is truly an unexpected gift. I don’t know what to say except thank you, General.”
Kim Cheolsu bowed his head in gratitude.
This unprecedented appointment gave him everything he had wanted.
The promotion was welcome, but the creation of a surgery team directly under the Medical Command was truly surprising.
It broke the usual rule of non-interference among military hospitals and granted him very special authority.
For example, he would have the right to oversee patients and perform surgeries at any hospital.
In effect, he was assigned to the superior command of all military hospitals, which put him in high spirits.
Even the previously unlikable Chief of Staff now felt more like a friendly neighbor.
As Kim Cheolsu bowed, Heo Gwanghyuk smiled and said.
“I’m glad you’re pleased with the gift I prepared. Since you accepted this proposal, the new appointment order will come out tomorrow morning. Assemble your surgery team with whichever medical staff you want. I thought it best to give you autonomy.”
“Thank you, General. I will continue to lead in performing surgeries on more patients.”
“Don’t overwork yourself. Though with your personality, I’m sure you’ll work hard. That’s all from me—I have to call the Medical Commander now. Lieutenant Kim, well done on the surgery and have a good night.”
“Thank you, Sir! Loyalty!”
Kim Cheolsu saluted as the General left.
Now that Heo had received a proper salute, he smiled and walked down the corridor.
Kim Cheolsu couldn’t believe the situation.
He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel shortly after re-enlisting.
And he had been given command of a surgery team directly under the superior Medical Command.
It was a clear expression of trust from the military authorities, granting him exclusive rights based on his surgical skill.
He felt good knowing he had been recognized by someone important.
Wearing a gentle smile, Kim Cheolsu headed to the locker room.
After changing his clothes, he left Hampyeong Hospital and looked back at the darkened building.
“My return to military life is off to a smooth start. Now, I won’t have to worry about annoying pests and can perform surgeries freely.”
*****
Woof!! Woof!!!
When he arrived home, exhausted, the only one greeting him was his dog.
Kim Cheolsu excitedly petted the white dog, which was running around the yard, then, completely drained, he entered his room.
He was too tired to even spread out his blanket and collapsed on the cool floor.
He had spent a long time performing surgery late into the night.
But his heart grew heavy thinking of Shin Seyoung, who was probably still at the hospital at this hour.
She was truly a nurse who seemed like a reincarnation of Florence Nightingale.
No matter how young she was, her stamina couldn’t be infinite, yet she constantly offered him great help.
Kim Cheolsu considered Shin Seyoung his first recruit for the Defense Medical Command’s Critical Surgery Team.
There would be much work ahead, but she would gladly accept the challenge.
Next was Captain Oh Hajin from Anesthesiology.
He was also personally close to Kim Cheolsu and an excellent anesthetist.
Then he would need senior and junior clinical assistants to truly support the surgeries.
To be honest, Kim Cheolsu had been performing most surgeries alone, but he couldn’t continue that way.
There were physical limits, and it would be better to bring in talented personnel from other departments.
There was someone who came to mind, but he decided to hold off for now.
“Captain Bae Jihan… I still need to observe him a bit more, but I think he has plenty of talent. Plus, since he’s from Neurosurgery, he can help me.”
Bae Jihan had keen eyes and noticed that Kim Cheolsu wasn’t even looking at the neuro-navigation device.
Besides, as he belonged to the capital hospital’s neurosurgery department, his surgical skill was essentially guaranteed.
He was an indispensable asset during neurosurgery.
Kim Cheolsu was already envisioning the new surgery team as he drifted off to sleep.
Tomorrow morning’s appointment announcement would cause a stir, not only at Hampyeong but at military hospitals nationwide.
It would be like a bomb going off—utter chaos—but Kim Cheolsu wasn’t worried.
He fell asleep, exhausted, looking forward to tomorrow with peace of mind.
“Mmnya… mmnya… I want to eat beef radish soup tomorrow morning… I’m hungry…”
Unaware as he sank into deep sleep, the pocket watch in his pocket slipped to the floor with a thud!
The watch burst forth with a dazzling light that illuminated the surroundings.
The pocket watch floated up in midair, glowing brightly even lighting up the giant jujube tree in the yard.
It drifted alone as if suspended by magic, swirling around like a will-o’-the-wisp.
—Whooosh! Clack! Clatter!
The golden ghostly flame zipped swiftly through the house, causing mischief.
It knocked books off the shelves silently standing in the study, grabbed several kitchen knives, and began playing with them.
Almost as if it were alive…