A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 442

The sky above was piercingly clear.

But Jun-ho’s heart was dark.

A massive, murky cloud named ‘Si-ho’ was gathering in his chest.

Si-ho had been released from prison six months ago.

The thought sent shivers down his spine.

That bastard could do something terrible to his family, Ah-young, and his friends.

He hadn’t retaliated immediately after his release. Could he have turned over a new leaf?

Jun-ho quickly dismissed such naive thoughts.

He knew Si-ho was biding his time, sharpening his fangs.

Once he was fully prepared, he would definitely make a move.

Jun-ho was frustrated because he couldn’t predict when that would be.

Si-ho’s release made Jun-ho realize how much time had passed and how light Si-ho’s sentence had been.

The secret murders Si-ho had committed.

Only three of them had been exposed to the world. And then there was the time he’d stabbed Jun-ho.

Yet Si-ho had only served about 12 years.

A slap on the wrist, that’s what it was.

Did he pour money into settlements with the victims’ families?

Or did he hire a law firm that could make even a flying bird fall from the sky?

Jun-ho couldn’t know for sure.

Come to think of it, even people who kill others while drunk only serve a few years.

And there are school bullies who inflict lifelong scars on their victims and still attend school without any punishment.

There are also many people who slander others with false accusations and still live well.

A bitter smile appeared on Jun-ho’s lips.

In Jun-ho’s personal opinion.

The level of criminal punishment in South Korea was too lenient.

It felt more like scolding the perpetrators than punishing them.

If someone committed a crime worth 10, shouldn’t they pay the price for 10?

Isn’t that justice?

Isn’t it also justice to alleviate the victim’s unfairness as much as it is to rehabilitate the perpetrator?

Jun-ho suddenly shook his head.

To block thoughts that were getting too deep.

Anyway, after hearing about Si-ho’s release, he had contacted his parents.

He told them to always be vigilant and careful because there were many dangerous and heinous incidents these days.

As for Ah-young, after much deliberation…….

He told her the truth.

He told her that Si-ho had been released and that she needed to be careful.

He didn’t want to scare Ah-young, but it was an unavoidable choice.

Losing Ah-young to Si-ho was even more frightening.

Waiting around anxiously is a waste of time.

I need to find another way.

Jun-ho picked up his phone when the car stopped at a light.

He made a call.

-Who is this, if it isn’t the fresh-smelling military doctor?

A playful voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Is now a good time to talk?”

-Perfect timing. I have about 10 minutes before the conference starts. But what’s up?

“I have a favor to ask urgently.”

-An urgent favor? That’s unusual. From Seo Jun-ho of all people.

The person on the phone was Kyung-soo.

Jun-ho’s neurosurgery resident colleague.

An assistant professor in charge of outpatient care and surgery for the cerebrovascular department at Shinwon University Hospital Seoul Branch.

“Can I get Si-ho’s contact information?”

-Si-ho? Why that bad guy?

“He was released recently.”

-Ah…….

Kyung-soo’s groan conveyed a mix of meanings and emotions.

Kyung-soo must have been shocked, though not as much as Jun-ho.

-He’ll be coming for you soon, 100 percent. For revenge.

“That’s what I’m saying. I don’t care about myself, but I’m worried about my parents and Ah-young.”

Jun-ho spoke rapidly.

“Si-ho—no, he doesn’t even deserve to be called ‘senior.’ Anyway, it’s been a long time, but is there any chance Si-ho’s contact information is in the emergency contact list?”

Jun-ho asked with anticipation.

Neurosurgery residents shared phone numbers, both then and now.

Neurosurgery life was incredibly demanding.

To chase after and catch anyone who deserted [referring to residents leaving their demanding posts].

-That makes sense. I don’t remember ever throwing away the emergency contact list.

“……”

-Sometimes the emergency contact list is used for alumni association contacts.

“You’re quick on the uptake, Kyung-soo. I need a favor.”

-It’s okay, it’s not a difficult task. But it just means it might be there, not that it definitely is?

“I know that much.”

-What are you going to do after you get the contact information?

“I’ll try to coax him into meeting me, if possible.”

Jun-ho said, biting his lip.

The chances of a meeting were low, but he had to try.

He was in a crisis.

He had to do everything he could.

You never knew.

There was a chance that Si-ho, who you never knew where he would turn up, might unexpectedly want to see Jun-ho.

And if he met Si-ho…….

Honestly, Jun-ho didn’t know what to do with Si-ho.

If this were the Murim [a martial arts world often depicted in Korean fantasy novels], it wouldn’t even be a question.

Si-ho would have died on the spot at Jun-ho’s hands.

Jun-ho believed that there were people in the world who deserved to die.

But Jun-ho was in the modern world, not the Murim.

How should he deal with Si-ho in the modern world?

He hadn’t committed a crime yet.

Would it be socially acceptable to take action first because he seemed like he was going to commit a crime?

Suddenly, both temples throbbed.

-Okay. I’ll contact you as soon as I find it.

“Thanks.”

-If you’re grateful, come to the Seoul headquarters after your military service. Everyone’s waiting for you.

“I’ll have to see about that then.”

Jun-ho smiled and hung up.

* * *

He arrived at the unit.

Jun-ho parked his car in the parking lot and moved towards the regimental barracks.

In front of the barracks, many soldiers were already waiting with their packs.

Everyone was well-equipped, probably because the weather was chilly.

Ear muffs covering their ears.

Gloves on their hands.

Army-green neck gaiters.

Hand warmers held like treasures, and so on.

Even with such precautions against the cold, everyone was stamping their feet from the cold.

Come to think of it, the 4-night, 5-day winter training started today.

He remembered the regimental commander earnestly asking him to take care of the soldiers so that they wouldn’t get hurt or die.

Well, even if he hadn’t been asked.

Jun-ho was always sincere with his patients.

Thud. Thud.

Jun-ho crossed the parade ground.

He arrived at the far west end of the parade ground, receiving salutes from the soldiers.

The ambulance was parked there.

“Attention!”

“Attention!”