A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 107

The Martial Surgeon – Episode 107

Chapter 19: The Competition (2)

‘This is insane. Absolutely insane.’

Yujeong watched Jun-hoo tackle the dance challenge, thoroughly impressed.

She knew Jun-hoo had a knack for dancing back in medical school.

But she never imagined he would go this far.

In fact, Yujeong’s proposal was this:

To create just ‘one’ of the most popular dance challenge videos.

Though short, the shorts video couldn’t be filmed lightly.

It had to showcase a reasonably substantial dance within that brief span.

Or go completely comedic.

Jun-hoo’s concept leaned towards the former.

Thus, some dance practice was necessary.

But guess what?

Jun-hoo watched the challenge dance video only once and perfectly replicated it.

His limbs extended freely and gracefully.

His movements were precise and sharp.

His sense of rhythm and timing rivaled even idols.

And that wasn’t all.

Jun-hoo’s appearance was top-tier actor material.

Smooth and fair skin.

Intense eyes and thick eyebrows.

A prominent nose and vibrant lips.

When that appearance met the dance, sheer awesomeness exploded.

It was like watching a male idol dancing in scrubs and a gown.

But what was even more bewildering.

Was that once Jun-hoo got fired up, he nailed 20 dance challenge videos in a row.

“How is it? Looks like we got enough, right?”

“……”

“Yujeong? Yujeong?”

“Huh? Oh. We filmed everything.”

Yujeong barely managed to answer, snapping out of her daze.

She was still in a daze.

It felt like walking on clouds.

“Jun-hoo, now that I see it, you’re a dance machine. How can you watch a video once and copy it perfectly?”

“I have a good memory. And I used my body a lot in the past.”

Jun-hoo shrugged with an indifferent expression.

He didn’t even seem tired.

From medical skills to dancing.

There was really nothing Jun-hoo couldn’t do.

Isn’t the term ‘complete package’ used for situations like this?

“But will this really work? It just seems so-so to me.”

“Trust me. There’s definitely a chance.”

Yujeong confidently continued.

“It’s an era where doing anything ‘well’ works. Being ‘good’ looking, dancing ‘well,’ or eating ‘well.’”

“……”

“Your channel is pushing your ‘good’ looks, isn’t it?”

Yujeong emphasized the word ‘well.’

In Yujeong’s view.

Jun-hoo’s shorts challenge video was more than enough to be chosen by the algorithm.

[Handsome Doctor’s Spectacular Dance.]

Could there be better content to grab the attention of NewTube [A fictional version of YouTube] viewers?

People tend to think doctors can’t dance well.

Jun-hoo would magnificently shatter that prejudice.

“I hope it goes well. Thanks for giving me the idea and helping with the filming.”

“Is that all you’re going to say? Don’t you dare try to get away with just words when you hit it big later.”

“What do you want?”

“Buy me plenty of bulletproof coffee.”

“Ah… that greasy coffee?”

“Uh-oh, careful what you say… 100,000 bulletproof coffee consumers might rise up in protest?”

Drrrrr.

While chatting with Jun-hoo.

The first-year resident entered the conference room.

“So, you were both here. Jun-hoo, are you busy by any chance?”

“No. I’m free.”

“Actually, I came because I have a favor to ask.”

Yujeong was slightly surprised by Daejin’s words.

Daejin always helped those around him.

He never asked for help.

Seeing Daejin asking for a favor was refreshing and shocking.

“Asking for a favor looks great on you, senior.”

Jun-hoo seemed to think the same, as he joked.

“Hahaha. Really? Well, it’s not a big deal…”

* * *

Weekend morning.

Jun-hoo, having a rare and precious day off, left home in his workout clothes.

The spring weather in May was fantastic.

The sky was high and blue, and the sunlight was warm and cozy.

The breeze gently blew from behind, teasing Jun-hoo’s hair and caressing his skin before running away.

The canola flowers planted in the apartment complex’s flowerbeds were in full bloom.

It was like a yellow paradise.

Enjoying the spring weather, Jun-hoo headed to the nearby subway station.

Soon, a car stopped in front of the crosswalk.

Honk! Honk! Honk!

He looked at the car that honked.

Whoosh, the car window rolled down.

A familiar face appeared beyond the window.

It was Seong-ho.

The older friend who had been his inseparable buddy since medical school, a three-time college entrance exam taker [In South Korea, it is not uncommon for students to retake the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) multiple times to improve their chances of getting into a prestigious university].

“Hyung [A Korean term used by males to address older brothers or close male friends], long time no see.”

Jun-hoo greeted him as he got into the passenger seat.

Seong-ho, like Jun-hoo, was dressed in workout clothes, a short-sleeved shirt and shorts.

“I know, right? It’s hard to see your face since you became an intern. And to make matters worse, we’re not even in the same department.”

“I guess we’re not meant to be.”

“What’s with the cheesy ‘meant to be’ stuff.”

Seong-ho cringed at Jun-hoo’s joke.

Vroom, vroom.

The car they were in sped off towards Mok-dong.

There was a reason why Jun-hoo, on his day off, didn’t rest at home but joined Seong-ho in workout clothes.

Today was the day of the Shinwon University Hospital soccer club’s game.

-I’m sorry, but could you play soccer for me this weekend? I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to play soccer right after collapsing from cardiac arrest…….

A few days ago, Daejin had asked Jun-hoo for a favor.

And Jun-hoo had readily agreed.

Daejin, who only ever helped others, had mustered the courage to ask for a favor, and Jun-hoo couldn’t possibly refuse.

Just in time, Seong-ho, who was already a member of the soccer club, contacted him, and Jun-hoo made plans to travel with Seong-ho.

“Hyung, what’s this? Did you get a girlfriend while I wasn’t looking?”

Jun-hoo noticed the ring on Seong-ho’s hand resting on the steering wheel and asked.

“Well, that’s how it turned out.”

Seong-ho was embarrassed.

“You should have notified me the moment you started dating. Is this how we are with each other?”

“It hasn’t even been ten days since we started dating. We’ve been in a vague ‘some’ relationship all along [A Korean term referring to the ambiguous stage between friendship and dating]. I was planning to tell you soon anyway.”

“Who are you dating?”

“Hyejin.”

“Ah… Hyejin?”

Jun-hoo nodded, understanding.

Hyejin was one of their medical school classmates.

She was the quiet and inconspicuous type.

But Seong-ho had mentioned several times that he liked that about Hyejin.

“Now that I hear it, you two seem like a good match. Did you confess first, hyung?”

“Of course.”

While traveling to Mok-dong.

Jun-hoo happily listened to Seong-ho’s love story.

Watching fires, watching fights.

Isn’t the next most interesting thing watching other people’s romances?

“Jun-hoo, why aren’t you dating yet? With your face, geez… you could confess to a random woman on the street and succeed.”

“I don’t think I should. I mean.”

Jun-hoo smiled bitterly and shook his head.

If love is something to be given and taken, Jun-hoo wasn’t confident he could give love to someone else.

The department he was aiming for was surgery, where he would be called to the hospital even on holidays.

And Jun-hoo’s ultimate goal was to become the world’s best surgeon.

So, he couldn’t afford to spend even spare time on dating.

He would have to devote even that time to training.

The situation was similar in the Murim world [A genre of Korean fantasy fiction featuring martial arts and cultivation].

To become stronger.

To avenge Jeok Il-do.

Jun-hoo couldn’t give proper attention and affection to Cheon Sojeo, whom he was dating.

He had done terrible things to Cheon Sojeo.

He didn’t want to repeat the same mistake in modern times.

“Still, you might find your match if you look closer?”

“Closer?”

“Well… like Ah-young…….”

Seong-ho mumbled Ah-young’s name.

“Ah-young isn’t interested in me. Don’t you know that yet, hyung?”

“Ugh. You’re so frustrating. Never mind. You’re so good at seeing patients, why can’t you see a woman’s heart?”

“Don’t say weird things. You’ll just make things awkward with Ah-young.”

“Just know that if I get frustrated, it’s all your fault.”

When the conversation briefly paused.

Jun-hoo checked his NewTube channel on his phone.

After posting the dance challenge shorts videos.

The channel’s subscribers skyrocketed.

The shorts videos all had nearly 800,000 views.

Along with that, the subscriber count was 50,000.

The regular videos had reached 20,000 views.

It was truly an explosive rise.

-Wow! You have such a surprising charm. How can someone so handsome and gentle dance so well?

-Is your main job a doctor? Or an idol?

-Eye candy. It’s practically an eye vacation.

The videos were overflowing with comments of admiration and playful remarks.

So, these days, Jun-hoo couldn’t comment on every single comment like he used to.

Is this how parents feel when they watch their children grow?

A proud smile appeared on Jun-hoo’s face.

* * *

A soccer field located in Mok-dong.

People wearing vests with the Shinwon University logo were stretching.

The people were diverse.

Staff from the administration department, HR department, male nurses, interns, residents, professors, and so on.

According to what Jun-hoo heard from Seong-ho.

Jun-hoo was the only surgical staff member among them.

“We must win today’s game. We can’t lose to Korea University, no matter what other hospital it is. ”

Choi Hoon, a professor of respiratory medicine who was the president of the club, scanned the team members and said.

“That’s right. I’d rather collapse on the soccer field than lose to Korea University. We even bet on who pays for the team dinner.”

“Let’s all do our best. Fighting!”

The teammates looked at the opposing players warming up on the other side and boosted their morale.

Shinwon University and Korea University.

These two had been rival universities for a long time.

This antagonistic relationship was maintained even in the hospital.

So, the losing side in today’s game would suffer a serious blow.

“You’re a face I’m seeing for the first time today…….”

Choi Hoon said, looking at Jun-hoo.

“Hello. I’m Seo Jun-hoo, and I’m here as a substitute for Daejin-sunbae [A Korean term used to address senior colleagues or alumni] from the gastroenterology department. He recently collapsed from cardiac arrest.”

“Oh dear…… that’s unfortunate…….”

“Are you good at soccer?”

Min-chul, who was next to Choi Hoon, asked.

“Uh, well…… I’m decent.”

“Decent isn’t going to cut it. How about you play goalkeeper?”

“Okay. Leave it to me.”

Jun-hoo nodded.

If he used his martial arts, Jun-hoo could dominate not only local soccer but also the world stage.

Even if Jun-hoo just sprinted.

What is commonly called ‘dribbling and running,’ no one could catch up to Jun-hoo.

Jun-hoo would be using footwork, not just simple running.

Others didn’t know, but.

Jun-hoo was a character who was a foul in and of himself.

But Jun-hoo was planning to fit in appropriately in today’s game.

And goalkeeper was the perfect position.

“Shinwon. Shinwon. Fighting!”

The team members put their hands together and shouted ‘fighting’ before scattering to their respective positions.

Seong-ho was a striker, so he was at the forefront.

Jun-hoo was a goalkeeper, so he guarded the goal at the very back.

“Haaaahm.”

Jun-hoo yawned as he watched the game.

Honestly, he couldn’t get nervous even if he wanted to.

Jun-hoo lacked the confidence.

The confidence to concede even one goal to the opposing team.

Then, as the ball moved back and forth in the center a few times.

Whoosh!

A sharp pass cut through the defenders.

The Korea University striker who received the pass fiercely charged towards the goal.

Bang!

The striker, having shaken off all the defenders, shot with all his might from about 5 meters away from Jun-hoo.

“……”

“……”

In that instant, the faces of the Shinwon University defenders stiffened.

How could a novice goalkeeper block a shot in that situation?

It seemed inevitable that they would concede the first goal.

In fact, Jun-hoo, being a novice keeper, didn’t even move, as if his body was frozen.

But soon, an amazing thing happened.

They thought they would give up a goal without resistance.

But the opposing striker’s ball narrowly missed the goalpost.

“Tch!”

The striker clicked his tongue and turned around, and the defenders breathed a sigh of relief.

“We almost died there. I thought it was going straight in.”

“We were definitely lucky. Jun-hoo wouldn’t have been able to block it.”

“Is the sky helping us today?”

Listening to the defenders talking from afar, Jun-hoo chuckled.

Everyone didn’t know, but.

Jun-hoo didn’t fail to block the shot; he didn’t block it on purpose.

The moment he amplified his vision with internal energy.

He had confirmed that the striker’s foot had miskicked the ball.

It was soon proven that Jun-hoo’s goalkeeper skills were not just luck.

First half.

Even though the Korea University strikers launched a barrage of attacks.

Even though the Shinwon University defense had gaping holes.

Shinwon University did not concede a single goal.