Clatter
Kim Cheolsu’s face flushed as he stepped out of the trauma surgery ward.
Thinking back to the earlier situation, his heartbeat seemed to grow louder.
He shook his head while walking forward.
“That can’t be.”
No matter how much he thought about it, Hasaebyeok couldn’t possibly like him.
The whisper of words from the Republic of Korea’s top idol echoed in his ears, but Kim Cheolsu ignored them and quickly strode down the hallway.
Since he hadn’t yet accomplished the purpose of returning to the military, he had no intention of entertaining trivial things like romance.
Brrring..!
Brrring…..!
At that moment, his phone rang loudly.
Kim Cheolsu steeled himself and answered.
“Hello?”
“Is this Lieutenant Colonel Kim Cheolsu? I’m Major Yang Ho, Chief Secretary of the Medical Command.”
A foreboding feeling passed through him.
So it was Vice Director Park Jeonghyun who reported him after all? Kim Cheolsu tensed and said,
“Yes, that’s me. What is this about?”
“Vice Director Park Jeonghyun just called the Medical Command. She said Lieutenant Colonel Kim Cheolsu brought in a civilian patient and performed surgery… Is that really true?”
“Of course it’s true.”
Major Yang Ho was a bit taken aback.
No matter what, someone violating regulations so brazenly was unsettling. Narrowing his eyes like a snake, he questioned,
“You knew beforehand that this wasn’t allowed, yet you still did it?”
“That’s right. But nothing is more important than a doctor treating a patient. What exactly is wrong with that?”
Hearing Kim Cheolsu’s shameless reply, Yang Ho was left speechless.
Still, biting his lip as if unwilling to back down, he said,
“You’re not unaware that the Medical Command belongs to the Ministry of National Defense, are you?Even if your posting changed, that doesn’t mean you can operate on civilians at will. This is, as Vice Director Park said, a serious breach of regulations that could lead to a disciplinary committee under the Ministry of National Defense. Do you understand? This could become a grave problem.”
“Then open the disciplinary committee. That’ll do.”
“… Excuse me?”
Yang Ho thought he misheard.
No soldier likes punishment. Even a minor penalty like a pay cut or three months’ suspension can jeopardize future promotions.
Given Kim Cheolsu’s rapid rise, he might not even make general later on… So Yang Ho truly thought he heard wrong.
He couldn’t understand why Cheolsu was being so defiant.
‘Does this man not care about promotion? What’s going on?’
But Kim Cheolsu’s eyes blazed as he said,
“You can open the Ministry of National Defense disciplinary committee and attack me all you want. I said it twice already — still don’t get it, Major Yang? Your inability to understand is getting annoying.”
The shift to informal speech revealed his immense anger.
The situation was reversed, and Yang Ho cautiously replied.
“… I didn’t mean that a disciplinary committee would definitely be convened, Lieutenant Colonel. Please calm down and hear me out…”
“Hmph! It’s an honor to have the lofty Chief Secretary of the Medical Command consider my feelings. But remember this — even though I operated on the Military Police Chief, it won’t go your way in the future. Discipline or whatever, go ahead— even if it means taking off this uniform, I will do the surgeries I want. I became a doctor to save and heal people.”
“…!!!”
Only now did Yang Ho understand why so many soldiers liked Kim Cheolsu, while high-ranking officials disliked him.
He wore the uniform but didn’t live the soldier’s life. Kim Cheolsu seemed determined to live as a doctor until the day he died. Why he returned to the military was unclear, but the situation was obvious.
If Kim Cheolsu left the military, the military organization would suffer a loss. Losing such an excellent clinician was a massive blow. Finding a replacement would be difficult. The older generals wouldn’t let Yang Ho, who stirred up this mess, off easily. They’d either kill or save him.
Cold sweat dripped from Yang Ho’s forehead as he sensed great danger. The Chief Secretary changed his tone to appease him.
“… I may have been a bit harsh. My apologies, Military Doctor. Please forgive me. Regarding the disciplinary matter, I’ll tell the Commander to minimize it as much as possible…”
“No, Major Yang. I think it’s better to proceed with the discipline. Just go ahead and fire me.”
“… What? Wh-what do you mean…?”
Stunned, the Chief Secretary of the Medical Command was met with Kim Cheolsu’s furious words. He was deeply offended by the earlier threat. So he poured out a plan he’d been harboring in his heart for some time.
“Anyway, the Critical Surgery Team won’t discriminate patients anymore. Civilian or soldier, anyone dying will get surgery. But the Medical Command probably isn’t happy with that, right? So punish me however you want. We will keep operating on patients we want to save.”
“W-why go this far? We could have ended this nicely. Even the Military Police Chief and other military seniors think highly of you. Why make such a fuss? If you keep this up, we won’t be able to protect you!”
The increasingly angry Chief Secretary spat out threats.
But Kim Cheolsu calmly replied, “I said it before — do whatever you want. I have no intention of giving in to military fools like you. Goodbye.”
“W-wait…!”
Click!
Kim Cheolsu hung up after saying his piece.
He had no patience for politics or regulations. If he couldn’t operate on the patients he wanted, there was no reason to stay in the military.
He resumed walking, muttering to himself, “Go ahead and try. If I was just going to be dragged around by pathetic military fools, I wouldn’t have reenlisted. There’s no reason to follow rules made to benefit the higher-ups.”
This was his mindset. Who made the military regulations — or, on a larger scale, the Medical Laws? He had zero intention of abiding by provisions that favored high-ranking officials.
After all, those kinds of people break or manipulate the rules to save themselves when they’re sick.
Step, step
Step, step
Step…
As he exited the military hospital, he vowed. Whether the Medical Command or the Blue House, he would forgive no one who interfered with him.
“Bring it on. No matter what anyone says, I won’t back down easily. To save more patients, I won’t retreat before anyone.”
*****
Meanwhile, Major Yang Ho, Chief Secretary of the Medical Command, wore a troubled expression after ending the call.
He slammed the phone down in anger.
“Damn it… What kind of confidence is that? Threatening the Medical Command?”
He had completely forgotten that he himself had threatened first. Turning to Medical Commander Jo Taejun behind him, he said, “Sorry, Commander. I don’t think words will work… What should we do?”
Jo Taejun, who had been listening to the call, replied, “For now, let him rampage as he pleases. Even a genius doctor can’t succeed in every surgery. Let’s wait for the downfall of that proud S University clinician.”
“How long should we wait?”
With a bitter smile, the Medical Commander said.
“Hmm… Not long. Those slippery eels always cause trouble. Wait a bit longer. He’ll cause such a scandal that even the Army Chief of Staff protecting him will flee. Just wait until one patient he operated on dies. Then we can easily deal with him.”
“Yes, understood.”
Looking out the window of the Medical Command, Jo Taejun wore a chilling expression. Even a genius doctor who defies him can’t be left alone. Otherwise, the power the Y University graduates hold in the Medical Command will be shaken.
After the Secretary left, Jo Taejun remained alone in the room, staring out and spitting,
“Kim Cheolsu… Truly arrogant, like an S University man. Fine, do as you please for now. But your end will be a brutal ruin.”
*****
Four days passed, and it was now July 14, 2001. Four people stepped down from a military jeep that had arrived in Seoul a day earlier. Dressed casually and looking excited, Shin Seyoung said,
“Wow!! Seoul Station! Seoul Station! We’ve arrived in Seoul! Lieutenant Colonel, have you been here before?”
“Yes. My school was in Seoul.”
“Oh, right. Then I guess I’m the only one here for the first time…”
Shin Seyoung blushed shyly, having never been to Seoul before. Kim Cheolsu comforted her,
“Seoul or Hampyeong, there’s not much difference. Actually, I don’t particularly like Seoul. There’s a saying: If you close your eyes in Seoul, there are thieves everywhere waiting to rob you.”
Hasaebyeok interjected.
“That’s right. It’s basically the same. So, what are you planning to do now, sir?”
She subtly asked about Kim Cheolsu’s schedule.
He said, “Hmm… Today is Saturday. Since we arrived a day early, we have some free time. Let’s meet the celebrity friend who’s sick first.”
He recalled his appointment with the director of Catholic Hospital at lunchtime tomorrow. He hoped the meeting would go well. Otherwise, handling the disaster on the 15th would be difficult.
Securing influence at Catholic Hospital, located right in front of Express Bus Terminal Station, was crucial.
Hasaebyeok smiled and said, “Great. Then let’s go meet my friend. Captain Oh, get back in the jeep!”
Oh Hajin took the wheel and looked back.
“Is everyone aboard? Then let’s go! Haha! Driving with beautiful ladies gives me extra energy!”
Vrooom!
From the back seat of the military jeep setting off again, Kim Cheolsu smelled the air of Seoul. More polluted than Hampyeong… The hustle and bustle of busy people. Everyone’s faces showed no leisure; they seemed rushed.
He sighed, thinking he never expected to return to Seoul so soon.
*****
Napping briefly in the back seat, Kim Cheolsu realized the sun was already dipping low in the sky.
Screech…!
“We’re here.”
But the jeep stopped at a surprising place. Kim Cheolsu looked around, confused.
“Seyoung, is this right? This is the Shilla Hotel, isn’t it? Why at the top-class hotel…?”
“Yes, that’s right. Everyone must be hungry, and since we’re meeting a friend here, let’s eat first.”
“This place must be expensive…”
Oh Hajin looked uneasy, but she smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover everything today. Now, let’s go inside!”
Following Hasaebyeok, Kim Cheolsu thought, waiting at such a luxury hotel… He became curious about the identity of the patient they were about to meet today.