“You…?”
Shin Se-young was startled and asked cautiously.
“Why did you suddenly rush to Seoul…?”
“It’s difficult to explain right now. Just prepare yourself first.”
“You…?”
Though surprised, Shin Se-young wore a complicated expression. But Kim Cheol-soo couldn’t explain everything in detail. He couldn’t reveal that he had seen the accident that day in a dream. After all, it was hard to trust in such things, and there was no certainty that the accident would actually happen.
After finishing his meal, Kim Cheol-soo spoke.
“Please tell Captain Oh Ha-jin that he also needs to head up to Seoul. There might be a situation where immediate action is necessary. Both of you take good care of your health. I’ll leave first. Also, since you are now assigned to the ‘Critical Patient Unit’ directly under the Medical Corps, gradually hand over the duties you used to handle at Hampyeong Hospital to others. Of course, continue with the work you want to do—I’ll be doing the same.”
Officially, he had been transferred to a higher unit, but he intended to keep doing his medical duties for the time being. He just wanted to prevent overworking the nursing officers. Shin Se-young smiled and replied.
“Yes! Understood. Don’t worry.”
At the mention of “unit,” Shin Se-young’s expression stiffened.
She didn’t fully understand Kim Cheol-soo’s orders, but she trusted him.
So when he said they might have to move to Seoul for the unit, she began thinking about what things she needed to prepare.
Curious, she asked.
“Are we leaving immediately?”
“Yes. It’s best to be prepared to hold out for a few days. Bring a change of clothes, too.”
Kim Cheol-soo was speaking hypothetically about an emergency, but Shin Se-young was flustered.
“… Are the three of us, including Captain Oh Ha-jin, really going to Seoul?”
“Hmm, it’s hard to explain. Just prepare as best as you can. It would be best if we all go together in the military jeep, like last time.”
“Understood. I’ll pack everything tightly in my backpack and get ready.”
Though somewhat suspicious of Kim Cheol-soo’s unusual orders, Shin Se-young shook her head and resolved to trust him.
This was a man who had never once given a wrong order.
She decided to trust him this time as well.
*****
Kim Cheol-soo went up to the sixth floor, which was the office of the medical department.
He entered a room marked ‘Medical Corps Critical Patient Unit Headquarters’ and was greeted by a magnificent view.
He walked to the window by the glass wall and opened it.
A blast of hot air rushed in, but it felt good.
Kim Cheol-soo spoke to Captain Oh Ha-jin, who followed him into the room.
“You took on a lot of work without being told. I’m a bit surprised. When did you decide to seize this office?”
“Sorry, sir. Were you displeased because I took so many initiatives?”
Ever since the morning’s personnel assignment was announced, Oh Ha-jin had acted proactively.
Based on the information he had, Kim Cheol-soo and Medical Department Chief Park Jeong-hyun had a rather tense relationship.
So Oh Ha-jin thought it was a two-birds-one-stone move to make the chief’s office the headquarters.
Of course, he could have reported to Kim Cheol-soo first, but he felt this minor matter didn’t require prior notice.
Kim Cheol-soo was a man who only cared about patients and operations; he was likely to oppose any office-related schemes.
So Oh Ha-jin had barged in before the chief even saw the personnel assignment letter and seized the office.
His approach resembled a military operation, which was quite different from Kim Cheol-soo’s style.
He was bold and practical, quick-thinking and willing to take risks for advantage.
Kim Cheol-soo saw this at a glance and sighed.
“You have quite a political sense. If I were in your position, I wouldn’t have thought of such a clever plan. Seizing the medical department chief’s office… I’m genuinely surprised.”
“Actually, I didn’t report it. You immediately react to patients, but dislike political matters like this. But even I admit I crossed a line this time. I apologize, sir!”
Oh Ha-jin bowed deeply at 90 degrees.
Kim Cheol-soo, with a bitter look, asked.
“Was it worth it to take the chief’s office by force? I want to hear the full explanation.”
“Yes. With this personnel reassignment, we were assigned to a higher unit. But if we set up headquarters in Hampyeong, the local medical staff might be shocked. So I preemptively took this office. The chief’s office is the best spot in Hampyeong Hospital, and it’s convenient for managing emergency helicopters on the rooftop. Holding this position lets us dictate the pace to the opposition. Also, it weakens the momentum of Chief Park Jeong-hyun.”
… Truly creative. I’m not good at politics, so I never thought of this.
Kim Cheol-soo was surprised.
Since he had started as a radiology officer, he was ignorant of politics among the officers.
So Oh Ha-jin’s words sounded unfamiliar but interesting.
Kim Cheol-soo took an interest and said,
“Go on. So, the chief can’t cause trouble for us now?”
“Yes! Park Jeong-hyun is the type to be intimidated once he’s overpowered. He’ll rage for revenge, but deep down, he’ll realize his position is weak. Every time he comes to Hampyeong, he’ll see his shabby office and feel it.”
Oh Ha-jin had even considered the psychological aspect.
Kim Cheol-soo nodded in agreement.
… I see. Though it’s not really my style, it’s an effective method. Just taking one room to tie the opponent’s hands—well done. This time, you did well.
“T-thank you, sir!”
Oh Ha-jin thought Kim Cheol-soo would punish him when explaining his independent action. Most senior officers were stubborn and thought only their opinion was right. They tended to issue unreasonable orders.
Even though Kim Cheol-soo was a middle-ranking officer, Oh Ha-jin assumed he would be the same. But Kim Cheol-soo acknowledged the appropriateness of his move. Surprised, Oh Ha-jin pledged loyalty.
“I’ll do my best to support you from now on. Loyalty!”
“Good. As long as it’s not about patients, handle things as you see fit. I don’t want to get involved in dirty politics. Now, you can leave. Oh! On your way out, meet with Lieutenant Shin Se-young. I have a task for her.”
“Understood. Loyalty! I’m leaving now.”
*****
As Kim Cheol-soo left, he looked out over Hampyeong Military Hospital through the wide glass window. Patients walked around in hospital gowns… beautiful nurses smiled while wearing their nursing officer uniforms…
Military doctors bore three diamond insignias on their epaulets. Kim Cheol-soo glanced at the two bamboo flower insignias on his own epaulet. Lieutenant Colonel.
He hadn’t even been in the army long, yet he had already become a lieutenant colonel.
This rank was thanks to Oh Ha-jin’s prior preparations, who had already pinned an additional bamboo flower on his spare military uniform in the locker of the changing room. Though they had only just spoken, Oh Ha-jin’s subtle support and political sense had impressed Kim Cheol-soo.
Having subordinates who could cover one’s weaknesses was important. Especially to survive among many generals and VIPs in the future. Kim Cheol-soo looked coldly out the window again and said,
“Anyway, holding this office has great symbolic value. There won’t be much opposition inside Hampyeong Hospital now.”
He wasn’t entirely pleased with the change, but authority was necessary to save more lives. For now, the most important thing was preparing for the possible accident in Seoul on the 24th.
Kim Cheol-soo thought he might have to request reinforcements from the Seoul Military Hospital. A disaster might really occur at the Express Bus Terminal Station.
He leisurely sat in Park Jeong-hyun’s seat, gazing out the window, when the phone rang.
Click…!
“Yes. Lieutenant Colonel Kim Cheol-soo speaking.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Kim, congratulations on your promotion. This is Major Hong Se-woong of the Military Police. Thank you for saving our chief. You said you didn’t want to perform brain tumor surgery… but I sincerely appreciate it.”
“I just did what any doctor should do. By the way, do you have plans this weekend?”
“Huh? Weekend… I don’t have anything in particular. Usually, I spend time with my family.”
“Then please help me just this once this weekend.”
Hong Se-woong readily agreed to Kim Cheol-soo’s request.
“Tell me whatever it is. If I can help, I’ll do anything.”
“Could you assign a military police company around the Seoul Express Bus Terminal on the 24th?”
“Huh? You mean a military police company? Are you trying to move something that day?”
Kim Cheol-soo answered Hong Se-woong’s question.
“It’s just a precaution. I can’t explain in detail yet. Just get ready and act as needed. I’ll give more details later.”
“Understood. Moving a company isn’t a big deal anyway.”
“And one more thing. There’s a university hospital near the Express Bus Terminal—the Catholic Sacred Hospital. I want to have a lunch meeting with their director on the 24th.”
Major Hong Se-woong found this request odd. Indeed, there was a university hospital near Line 7’s Express Bus Terminal Station.
But there was no reason for a genius doctor from S University to request a meeting with a mid-level university hospital director. Besides, Kim Cheol-soo didn’t care about anything except patients.
He couldn’t understand why he was making such a request. So Hong Se-woong hesitated and fell silent.
*****
Kim Cheol-soo frowned and said,
“Did I ask for something difficult? If that’s the case, I guess it can’t be helped.”
“Ah… no! Of course not! Before you join the unit, the Military Police Chief instructed us to comply with any requests from Lieutenant Colonel Kim. I personally am very grateful. I’ll arrange a lunch meeting with the Catholic Hospital’s director on the 24th.”
Saving the Military Police Chief had earned Kim Cheol-soo great favor. Hong Se-woong promised he would definitely arrange the meeting. No one would refuse when the army’s military police were involved.
Kim Cheol-soo’s plans were smoothly progressing. He finally relaxed.
“Thank you.”
He was tired but was already showing the demeanor of a man in power. He was gradually adapting to the military organization.
This was the nature of a genius—quickly adjusting to new environments and systems, and taking initiative. Kim Cheol-soo calmly took a sip of the water on his desk and said,
“Also, this is a really minor thing, but may I mention it?”
… Of course. Please, say anything.
Hong Se-woong noticed that Kim Cheol-soo’s atmosphere had completely changed in just a few days. Even over the phone, he exuded charisma comparable to a general.
So Hong Se-woong had no choice but to listen more attentively. Sensing this, Kim Cheol-soo spoke in a calm voice.
“I want to report the instructors involved in the training base assault case. I heard they are currently visiting Hampyeong Hospital.”