A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 30

The Martial Surgeon – Episode 30

Chapter 6: True Education (5)

A leisurely day with no outpatient visits or surgeries.

Dal-seok sat at his desk in his office, relentlessly puffing on his electronic cigarette.

Lately, it seemed like only things that made his insides burn were happening.

He was already struggling to resolve the Kim Tae-hoon case, and now another patient’s medical malpractice incident had occurred.

Sssseuuuupp.

Huuuuuu.

Exhaling smoke, Dal-seok tapped the table with his index finger.

It was a habit he had when he was anxious.

The lawyer who had taken the settlement agreement a while ago hadn’t been in contact for a week.

Was he planning to squeeze out more money?

Or was there another scheme?

Dal-seok felt suffocated because he couldn’t figure out the other party’s intentions.

Why is it that things in this world never go the way I want them to?

Toc. Toc. Toc.

A knock was heard, and he told them to come in.

Won-seok, the head of the administration department, came into the office.

“Aren’t you smoking too much, especially this early in the morning?”

“Wouldn’t it be better for the cigarette to burn than for my insides to burn?”

“It seems like both your insides and the cigarette are burning, so I’m saying this out of concern.”

Won-seok sat across from Dal-seok.

Won-seok was Dal-seok’s right-hand man, and they had the commonality of sharing the same last character in their names.

They were also the same in that they were both money-grubbing misers.

“Anyway, how did the settlement go? It seems like it’s about time we heard back.”

“I don’t know. That snake-like bastard hasn’t contacted me once.”

At Won-seok’s remark, Dal-seok smiled bitterly.

Surprisingly, he had failed to get the lawyer’s business card at their first meeting.

It was because he had felt a strong sense of intimidation and charisma from the lawyer.

Looking back now, it was a truly absurd mistake.

If he had known which law firm he was from and which organization he belonged to, he could have dealt with it more easily.

“I can’t bring myself to contact him first. But I’m sure he’ll get in touch this week, right?”

“I guess so. But I didn’t know you would throw down as much as 300 million won [approximately $230,000 USD], Director.”

Won-seok changed the subject to the settlement money.

In the event of a medical accident, Taejeong Hospital usually took a hard-line stance, saying, ‘Sue us if you want.’

Settlements were as rare as hen’s teeth.

The settlement amount had never exceeded 100 million won [approximately $77,000 USD].

This case was a special case.

“I felt like my stomach was going to burst, but I couldn’t help it. It just so happened that it overlapped with the Kim Tae-hoon case.”

“…….”

“Also, our mistake in that case was too blatantly revealed in the chart. I had no choice.”

Dal-seok thought.

If he could bury that incident with a settlement of 300 million won, it would be a cheap and well-handled solution.

If this incident, following the Kim Tae-hoon case, became public, Taejeong Hospital’s downfall would be inevitable.

“Let’s go grab a bowl of rice soup. We need to eat well, especially at times like these, don’t you think?”

“You said the right thing. Let’s go right now.”

Dal-seok and Won-seok went to a rice soup restaurant a 5-minute walk away.

After ordering the rice soup, they watched TV.

Breaking news was being broadcast.

[Measles outbreaks are constantly occurring at a gastroenterology specialist hospital located in Gangnam.]

[This time, we have received an anonymous tip that the hospital is trying to cover up a medical accident with money.]

After the anchor’s explanation, a distorted voice played.

Although it was mixed with machine sounds, Dal-seok couldn’t possibly not recognize the person speaking.

Dal-seok’s cheeks flushed with anger.

“That greenhorn dared to deceive me?”

* * *

At the same time.

Jun-hoo was watching the news on his cell phone in front of the library.

The anchor introduced the key parts of the voice file that Jun-hoo had provided.

He also showed a close-up of the settlement agreement.

In particular, the toxic clause that stipulated that if they received the settlement money, they would never disclose this incident to the outside.

It was satisfying and delightful.

You wicked trash who played with people’s lives.

Jun-hoo smiled brightly for the first time since entering as the top student in the entire school.

Not long ago, Jun-hoo gave Kyung-tae the data he had extracted under the guise of a lawyer named Jung Tae-hoo.

He pretended that he had obtained the data through a lawyer acquaintance.

-What are you going to do, sunbae [an honorific term used to address senior classmates or colleagues]?

-What do you mean, what am I going to do? Of course, I have to screw these guys over. It’s not about the money. I can’t let my father’s unjust death be covered up with money.

Kyung-tae said in an angry voice.

He also conveyed his determination to fight Taejeong Hospital to the end with his mother.

It was the scenario Jun-hoo had hoped for.

-Anyway, thanks for the data. I’ll use this gratefully and preciously. With this alone, I’ll be able to crush those bastards.

-…….

-Come to think of it, I’ve only been indebted to you. I found out that my father died in a medical accident thanks to you. I got the crucial data from you too.

-That’s how life is. Sometimes you help, and sometimes you get help.

-Let’s have a meal with my family soon. Is that okay?

-Of course.

By handing over the voice file and the settlement agreement to Kyung-tae, Jun-hoo stepped back from the incident.

Jun-hoo did his best, and the rest was up to Kyung-tae’s family.

Occasionally, Jun-hoo heard about the progress of the case from Kyung-tae.

Kyung-tae’s family had hired a medical litigation lawyer from Kim & Park, the best law firm in the country.

They also said they would use the data they received from Jun-hoo to play the media.

One of the results of that was today’s news.

What kind of expression would the director of Taejeong Hospital be making after seeing the news?

Would he be frustrated by the fact that he had been deceived by Jun-hoo?

Wouldn’t he be afraid that the hospital might collapse?

For the first time in a long time, Jun-hoo felt happiness from the pain of others.

The director of Taejeong Hospital deserved it.

Jun-hoo also felt proud that he had revealed the unjust death of an acquaintance and cut off some of the rotten roots of the medical community.

He must never forget this feeling even after becoming a doctor.

After watching the news, Jun-hoo moved to the classroom and took classes until the afternoon.

After class, he also had a conversation with Kyung-tae, who came to the classroom in person.

The topic was naturally the Taejeong Hospital news.

“I was watching the news in real-time earlier, and it felt like I had drunk several cans of cider [a metaphor for feeling refreshed and relieved].”

“I would have felt the same way if I were sunbae. But how will it proceed from now on?”

Jun-hoo changed the subject.

He was curious about Kyung-tae’s future plans.

“Kim & Park will take care of it, but… it seems like they’re going to contact Kim Tae-hoon’s side and other victims of Taejeong Hospital to file a class-action lawsuit.”

“…….”

“Since the news coverage was so big, other victims must have noticed something.”

“That’s good. That kind of hospital should go bankrupt this time.”

Jun-hoo chimed in.

There are often cases where the aftermath is unsettling, but it seemed like there was no need to worry about that this time.

You foolish guys.

You dug your own graves.

Jun-hoo muttered inwardly.

In fact, Jun-hoo’s opinion was that medical malpractice could happen at any time.

Human affairs could never be perfect.

This was especially true considering that the object a doctor deals with is not an object but a person.

But the important thing was a different area.

If you made a mistake, shouldn’t you admit it and show an attitude of taking responsibility for it?

Not only did they drive the head of a household to his death,

They also deceived the family with lies.

The Taejeong Hospital staff who tried to cover up the incident were no different from devils in human skin.

No human should ever do that.

“Do you remember our dinner appointment tonight?”

“Yes. I’ve cleared my schedule. But where are you going, sunbae?”

“I’m going to visit my father’s charnel house [a building or vault housing urns with human ashes].”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“There’s no need to do that.”

Despite Kyung-tae’s dissuasion, Jun-hoo visited the charnel house located in Incheon with Kyung-tae.

He bowed his head and offered a silent prayer in front of Kyung-tae’s father’s memorial tablet.

He prayed for the repose of Kyung-tae’s father’s soul.

And he swore again.

That he would prevent anyone from dying unjustly and resentfully like him.

That he would transform the medical community with his own hands.

Jun-hoo believed that reforming the medical environment and rooting out corrupt doctors was as important as treating patients with sincerity.

It was 7 p.m. when they returned to Seoul.

The sky was dark, and the wind was cold.

Jun-hoo had dinner with Kyung-tae’s family at a high-end restaurant reserved by Kyung-tae’s mother, Mi-ho.

Only stories related to Jun-hoo came out of Kyung-tae’s family’s mouths.

Only praise for Jun-hoo came out.

Only accolades for Jun-hoo came out.

Only words of gratitude for Jun-hoo came out.

In fact, various incidents had been resolved smoothly since Jun-hoo started tutoring Soo-jung.

Jun-hoo didn’t know what to do because Kyung-tae’s family was praising him like an audience.

It was the first time he had received such treatment.

“Oh, right, I went to the otolaryngology department of a large hospital and got a sleep test, as oppa [an honorific term used by females to address older brothers or close male friends] told me to?”

Soo-jung said, looking at Jun-hoo.

“Oh. And?”

“I have sleep apnea. It’s also severe. I’ve been using a CPAP machine since yesterday, and it’s a little uncomfortable, but I feel refreshed when I wake up.”

Jun-hoo was happy to hear the news that Soo-jung had told him.

On the first day of tutoring, Jun-hoo suspected Soo-jung of having sleep apnea after seeing her impression and skeleton.

And that was exactly right.

Jun-hoo was pleased that he was already able to play the role of a pinpoint doctor.

He was proud that his medical studies had not been in vain.

It seemed clear that Jun-hoo’s true calling, having experienced the world of martial arts, was a doctor.

“Jun-hoo. Can I see you for a moment?”

While going to the bathroom during the meal, Mi-ho called Jun-hoo to the window.

Mi-ho was now calling Jun-hoo comfortably.

“Yes, Mother, what’s wrong…”

“There have been many things to be thankful for this time, right? I don’t think I should just pass it off with words.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t particularly want a reward.”

“I know. I know everything, but I feel like I need to do something to make myself feel better.”

Mi-ho looked around and whispered.

There was something called Jet Coin among the stocks, and she told him to buy Jet Coins little by little from now on.

“Isn’t coin risky?”

“It would be if it were a normal coin. But Jet Coin is different. It’s a coin managed by an informant I know.”

Mi-ho said that she works at one of the top 3 securities companies in Korea and holds the title of head of department.

“I haven’t told Soo-jung and Kyung-tae about this, so please keep it to yourself.”

“…….”

“You can buy a little if you don’t believe it. But be sure to buy it. It will become a great asset later.”

After speaking, Mi-ho put her index finger to her mouth.

It was a gesture demanding secrecy.

Jun-hoo pretended to zip his mouth shut, meaning he understood.

The dinner with Kyung-tae’s family ended at 10 p.m.

Jun-hoo came home and installed a stock app on his phone.

South Korea was being shaken by a stock craze.

People of all ages and genders were investing in stocks.

This was because it was possible to invest in a relatively simple and intuitive way.

If you listen carefully during breaks, you can often hear your peers talking about stocks.

Jun-hoo had no interest in stocks at all.

It’s a coin made by an American startup electric car company.

It’s only 20,000 won [approximately $15 USD] per coin?

Jun-hoo searched for Jet Coin and stroked his chin.

He was hesitant about buying coins instead of stocks.

Opinions were still divided on the credibility of coins.

But wasn’t this information provided by Mi-ho, a securities company manager, who asked Jun-hoo to keep it a secret?

It was information that was too good to simply ignore or pretend not to know.

It wouldn’t drop to nothing, would it?

Let’s just put in a reasonable amount on a regular basis.

I don’t have much to spend money on anyway, so about half of the tutoring fee would be enough.

After organizing his thoughts, Jun-hoo bought 40 Jet Coins.

Without imagining what would happen in the distant future.