A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 170

Chapter 31: Development (5)

The water park buzzed with activity.

Being a weekday during the off-season, it was filled with more young adults than families.

They moved in clusters of three to five, heading towards the various attractions or simply enjoying the water.

The water park’s upbeat theme song played on the speakers.

Excited screams already echoed from the outdoor wave pool, one of the park’s main draws.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Just thinking,” Junhoo replied calmly to Ayoung’s question as she walked beside him.

“It’s more than just ‘thinking,’ isn’t it? You’re thinking about your patient, aren’t you? You always get quiet when you’re thinking about patients.”

“You got me. I can fool anyone else, but not you, Ayoung.”

“Have I only known you for a day or two, Seo Junhoo?”

Ayoung wore a slightly smug expression.

Ayoung was right.

Junhoo was indeed thinking about his patient.

More specifically, he was contemplating the awakening surgery in two days.

He was considering how to apply the insights he’d gained from observing his teacher’s surgery earlier that day to Myunghun’s surgery.

“Since we came to have fun, why don’t you try to relax a little?”

“It’s strangely difficult.”

“Does your time off not feel like leisure? Does it feel like you’re being lazy? Is that why you can’t just sit still?”

Ayoung’s words struck Junhoo deeply.

Every word hit the mark.

“Did you learn to read minds while I wasn’t looking?”

“Maybe?”

Ayoung smiled and continued, “I read in a book that when you truly rest or space out, your brain organizes your thoughts, which improves its efficiency.”

“…….”

“If you believe that resting is helpful, wouldn’t you be able to rest without feeling guilty?”

“I’ve learned something, Teacher. I will serve you well.”

Junhoo looked at Ayoung playfully and bowed his head.

Ayoung’s cheeks flushed. She seemed to have misinterpreted Junhoo’s gesture, thinking he was checking her out, which made Junhoo slightly embarrassed as well.

Because Ayoung was wearing a bikini.

Looking at her as he usually would felt a bit awkward.

He didn’t quite know where to look.

“Ahem. The bikini looks great on you. But that’s why I can’t make eye contact.”

“Did I wear something too revealing? People keep staring, and it’s embarrassing. It’s not like I wore it for other people to see.”

“Then who did you wear it for……?”

“Who…… who else would it be? Of course…… Hyejin! Hyejin always brags about her figure, so I wanted to deflate her ego.”

Ayoung smiled awkwardly after speaking.

Junhoo smiled along with Ayoung.

Junhoo’s gaze was still directed past Ayoung, towards the snack bar.

After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived at the wave pool.

The group put on their life jackets and entered the pool.

The water, which had been lapping around their ankles, quickly rose to their thighs, waist, and chest.

“Does everyone know how to swim?”

“I do.”

“Me too.”

“Tch, am I the only one who can’t swim?”

Ayoung, Hyejin, and Taeseop answered Junhoo’s question in turn.

Taeseop was the only one who couldn’t swim.

“Even though I can’t swim, I’m a national champion when it comes to splashing around. Take this!”

Taeseop yelled and waved his hands.

The white spray of water that Taeseop created washed over Junhoo.

However, Junhoo tilted his head to the side and easily avoided the spray.

Junhoo had faced the fierce killing moves of the demonic leaders in the Murim world [a fictional world of martial arts and cultivation, often found in Asian fantasy novels].

Avoiding water splashes was as easy as blinking.

“Oh, you dodged it? Everyone, attack! Defeat Seo Junhoo!”

“Attack!”

“Attack!”

Under Taeseop’s command, Ayoung and Hyejin began splashing water at Junhoo.

The three of them created sprays of water.

They also scooped up water with their hands and shot it at Junhoo, but Junhoo dodged it all with fantastic movements.

Swish, swish.

Swish, swish.

He changed direction by stirring the water with his hands.

And by actively using his head, Junhoo didn’t swallow a single drop of water.

“You guys are trying to team up on me? It won’t work!”

Junhoo unleashed the third form of the Sea Dragon Palm, the Great River Overturn.

The palm containing internal energy [qi or chi, the vital life force in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts] was fully extended.

When the palm pushed against the water, to exaggerate a bit, a wave the size of a house was created.

It was large enough to cover Ayoung, Hyejin, and Taeseop all at once.

Alarm flashed in the eyes of the three as they looked at the wave.

Splash~

As the three giant waves crashed down, Ayoung, Hyejin, and Taeseop looked like drowned rats.

Their hair was soaked and plastered to their faces.

“You treacherous demons. You have revealed your sins.”

“De…… Demon? What’s a demon?”

“Ugh. I swallowed a lot of water. Cough, cough.”

“I surrender. I surrender.”

Taeseop and Hyejin each said a word, but Junhoo didn’t hear them.

While playing in the water, he had momentarily returned to his childhood.

Illusory Flower, Mirror Moon.

Junhoo seized the opportunity to unleash his rising martial art.

Illusory Flower, Mirror Moon was one of Junhoo’s favorite palm techniques.

Junhoo pushed against the water and extended his palm, and it seemed as if his hand had split into ten.

That’s how fast his hand movements were.

Ten large and small waves swirled around, and the three were thoroughly defeated once more.

They were at a loss, with waves pouring in from all directions at different times.

The three of them were no match for Junhoo alone.

* * *

Junhoo was sitting on an outdoor bench, drying his wet body.

Taeseop was sitting across from him.

Ayoung and Hyejin had gone to buy snacks and had left their seats for a moment.

“Are you Poseidon or something? What’s with creating such big waves and acting up?”

Taeseop shook his head, looking exasperated.

“Was it a bit much?”

“Well, it was nice to see you having fun. It’s like I’m seeing this side of you for the first time.”

“That’s probably right. Maybe.”

Even in Junhoo’s memory.

It was the first time he had played so carefree, like a child.

Ever since he had experienced the Murim world and returned to modern times.

Junhoo had lived a life as if he were being chased by someone.

He was always busy practicing martial arts.

Or accumulating internal energy.

Or studying medical knowledge.

“How can someone who’s so good at having fun not have fun all this time?”

“I guess it’s because I’m not used to it.”

“Then get into the habit now. You need the joy of playing to endure the harsh realities of life, right?”

“I guess so. This is nice sometimes.”

Indeed, after playing for a while, Junhoo felt refreshed.

It felt like he had shaken off all the emotional baggage that had been weighing on him.

“By the way, Ayoung looks amazing today, doesn’t she?”

“Ayoung is always popular anyway.”

“Don’t state the obvious. Let’s be honest here.”

“How much more honest can we get?”

“You know Ayoung likes you, right?”

Taeseop threw a fastball [a direct and straightforward statement or question].

Junhoo’s pupils flickered slightly at those words.

“There’s nothing romantic between Ayoung and me. We’re just close friends.”

“That’s what you think. Have you asked Ayoung directly?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I ask something like that?”

“You could subtly test the waters. That’s how relationships usually start.”

“No way. Let’s not talk about this.”

“Why not? I’m having fun.”

Taeseop adjusted his posture.

He leaned towards Junhoo, looking straight into Junhoo’s eyes. It was as if he was determined to get to the bottom of the story about Ayoung.

Why is this guy acting like this today?

Did he eat something wrong for lunch?

“Seo Junhoo, do you know what? You’re the most despicable guy in the world.”

“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?”

“Why? Do you think I’m wrong? I don’t think so.”

A sneer appeared on Taeseop’s lips.

“Put your hand on your heart and tell me. You really didn’t know? You didn’t know Ayoung liked you?”

“…….”

“How can someone who’s so good at his job, so perceptive, and takes care of patients and their families not know how Ayoung feels? You and Ayoung have known each other for over seven years already, you know?”

“…….”

“Six years of medical school, plus one year of internship. Even a snail would know how Ayoung feels. Am I still being harsh?”

Junhoo lowered his head at Taeseop’s rapid-fire questioning.

He had no excuse, even if he had ten mouths.

In fact, Junhoo knew.

He knew that Ayoung harbored feelings for him.

Junhoo had been deliberately ignoring those feelings, even though he knew.

“Do you perhaps, dislike Ayoung?”

“There’s no way I could dislike her, right?”

“If you don’t dislike her, then confess boldly today. How long are you going to keep Ayoung waiting?”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. I’m not confident in taking care of the people around me. If I dedicate myself to medicine and treatment, Ayoung will end up being neglected.”

Junhoo saw the Heavenly Miss Chun from the Murim world in Ayoung.

Heavenly Miss Chun was Junhoo’s fiancée.

Junhoo, blinded by revenge, had never properly taken care of Heavenly Miss Chun.

If he were to date Ayoung…… it was obvious that Ayoung would suffer because of him, just like Heavenly Miss Chun.

“Ugh. You’re being so frustrating, unlike your usual self. It’s like I’ve eaten ten sweet potatoes [a Korean expression for feeling 답답하다 (dapdapada), which means stifled, frustrated, or 답답하다].”

Taeseop clicked his tongue and continued.

“Let’s make this easy. So, do you have any intention of confessing to Ayoung?”

“No. I don’t.”

“This is really pissing me off. Then just tell her clearly when you break up today that you have no intention of dating her. It breaks my heart too, but I think that’s the best path for Ayoung.”

“…….”

“You said earlier that everyone has their own hell, right?”

“Yeah. I remember.”

“But you know what? You’re Ayoung’s hell.”

Taeseop crossed his arms and leaned back on the bench.

He didn’t say it, but he seemed greatly disappointed in Junhoo’s decision.

Junhoo sighed deeply and looked up at the sky.

His martial arts had once reached the realm of harmony, but his love life was worse than that of a third-rate warrior.

* * *

Ayoung and Hyejin were on their way back to Junhoo and Taeseop, carrying donuts and coffee from the donut shop.

“Junhoo doesn’t think about me, so am I just making a fool of myself by acting alone?”

Ayoung muttered with worry.

She had sent an SOS to Hyejin and Taeseop to help her confess to Junhoo, but Ayoung somehow felt like she had made a mistake.

If she had just stayed still, she would have at least stayed neutral…….

She was afraid that if she confessed and got rejected, their relationship would become awkward.

“That’s not true. How can anyone not love you, Ayoung? There’s no man in the world who would reject you.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, I do! Didn’t you see Junhoo having so much fun earlier? He was so happy because you were by his side, Ayoung.”

“…….”

“And by now, Taeseop must be laying it on thick, right? Taeseop is amazing at this, even if he’s not good at anything else.”

Hyejin put her hand near her mouth and repeatedly folded and unfolded her fingers.

It was a gesture to emphasize Taeseop’s good speaking skills.

“Well…… I hope so.”

“Have confidence. You look amazing today.”

Hyejin lightly patted Ayoung’s shoulder.

Ayoung finally felt a little relieved.

“Thank you, Hyejin. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

“What are friends for? We all help each other out.”

As the two were talking, someone suddenly cut in and blocked their path.

It was four men with menacing faces.

Two of them even had animal tattoos.

The men scanned the two women’s bodies greedily and smacked their lips.

“Hey, pretty ladies, got some time?”

The bald man spoke.

“Ugh. What a cheesy line. Did you learn to flirt from some third-rate movie?”

“…….”

“And would you please stop staring? It’s making me uncomfortable.”

“Hyejin, let’s not provoke them unnecessarily,” Ayoung whispered, trying to dissuade Hyejin.

However, Hyejin, with her outspoken personality, seemed to have a different idea from Ayoung.

“If we act submissive, they’ll think we’re pushovers. Just trust me.”

“Oh? Are you playing hard to get because you’re pretty? Well, having some attitude isn’t bad either. Right, guys?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

The men behind the bald man laughed loudly.

The atmosphere was somehow turning ominous.

“We have nothing more to say, so please move aside.”

“What if we don’t want to move?”

“Did you rent out the entire water park?”

Hyejin retorted sharply and tried to walk past the man. But the man blocked Hyejin’s path again.

A frown appeared on Hyejin’s face.

“Where are you going? You came here to have fun anyway, so what’s wrong with having some fun with us?”

“Ew. Who here would want to have fun with you guys? Unless their eyes are blind.”

“You little bitch. I was being nice, but you keep pushing it. Watch your mouth, huh?”

“You should act nicely first before expecting nice words.”

“Hyejin, stop it.”

Ayoung grabbed Hyejin’s wrist, trying to stop her.

She was worried that if this kind of conversation continued, the fight would escalate.

“This lady at least knows some manners. How about you come and play with us, miss?”

Grab!

The bald man changed his target and grabbed Ayoung’s wrist.

He tried to separate Ayoung and Hyejin by force and forcibly drag Ayoung away.

“Hey, let go of her hand? Do you really want to die?”

“Let go of me!”

“Why are you acting like you don’t like it when you actually do…… Aaaagh!!!!”

The bald man suddenly screamed in pain.

He knelt on the ground, clutching his wrist.

Ayoung, who had been bewildered by the sudden turn of events, realized that Junhoo was now by her side.

So, Junhoo had appeared.

He had pried off the bald man’s hand that was grabbing Ayoung and twisted the man’s wrist.

“I was wondering why you were taking so long, but it turns out you were being bothered by these idiots. It’s okay now. I’ll take care of it.”

Junhoo stepped forward, standing firmly in front of Ayoung and Hyejin like a shield.

“It’s clear that you guys are beyond saving. It seems like words won’t work. Right?”