A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 345

Chapter 66: Adaptation (5)

The dark room was filling with the light of dawn.

The orange sunlight, which had been lapping at the floor, swelled like a stream, completely engulfing one wall of the room.

Seated cross-legged by the window, Jun-hoo raised his eyelids.

He widened his eyes at the wall bathed in sunlight.

He had planned to do a light session of meditative breathing for about 30 minutes.

But when he came to his senses, the morning sun had already risen.

Perhaps it was because he was in a strange land, or perhaps it was because he finally had time all to himself.

These days, Jun-hoo lost track of time once he started meditative breathing or mental cultivation.

Often, his days and nights would be completely reversed.

Rising from his spot, Jun-hoo opened the window and welcomed the morning sunlight and breeze.

He had somewhat overreached, but he had finally achieved his goal.

He had set a goal for himself to create five layers of Mana Heart before the Boost Up Program test.

With each inhale and exhale, he could feel a strong resonance from the band of mana surrounding his heart.

He didn’t know what situations would arise in the future.

But at least, he wouldn’t be in trouble due to a lack of internal energy or be unable to save a patient.

For Jun-hoo, that was enough.

Closing the window, Jun-hoo went into the bathroom and took a shower.

As he stood under the steaming water, he replayed the events of yesterday in his mind.

The unexpected surgery on a gunshot victim, the shockingly poor medical environment of the American lower class, and so on.

He realized many things through experience.

The fact that a patient, or a sick person… being able to receive treatment at a hospital could also be a blessing and a gift.

In the world Jun-hoo didn’t know, there were countless people who were sick or dying without ever being able to step through the doors of a hospital.

Was that why?

For the first time, Jun-hoo considered the idea of ‘medical volunteering’.

He felt the urge to visit conflict zones, war zones, and refugee camps, and soothe their suffering bodies.

In fact, Jun-hoo’s abilities would stand out more in areas with poor medical environments.

X-rays?

CT scans [Computed Tomography scans] ?

MRIs [Magnetic Resonance Imaging]?

Ultrasound?

Without these expensive devices, Jun-hoo could perform various tests on his own using his internal energy.

Jun-hoo was a walking, top-of-the-line diagnostic device.

Furthermore, internal energy could also be used as a fluid to aid the patient’s healing power.

And that wasn’t all.

The physique he had built up through martial arts would be a great help in directly treating patients.

‘I don’t know when it will be, but… I need to think more seriously about medical volunteering.’

Instead of waiting for sick people to come to me, maybe I need to go to them first?

When the water stopped, Jun-hoo’s thoughts also came to a halt.

Wiping the water off his body with a towel, Jun-hoo returned to his room and got dressed.

Black cotton pants and a white dress shirt.

He put on a thick padded jacket over it. He had heard that the attire for the test was casual, but this seemed presentable enough.

[Is today the day of the Mayhew Clinic test? Honestly, I don’t think you’ll fail, but… just in case, I’ll say one thing. If you encounter a patient on your way to work, just call 911 and go on your way. Your dreams are as precious as the patient. Have a good day and contact me when you have time. I love you.]

Checking his phone, Jun-hoo chuckled.

Ah-young was an affection charging station for Jun-hoo. Through Ah-young, he could feel that he was loved in this world, aside from his parents, that is.

Jun-hoo also sent a long message of greetings and left the house.

He walked to the nearby bus stop.

While walking, Jun-hoo took out his wallet and stared at a bill.

The bill in Jun-hoo’s hand was no ordinary bill.

Similar to a four-leaf clover, it was a two-dollar bill, which Americans considered a symbol of good luck.

It was a gift he had received from Malik yesterday.

-Are you sure you want to give this to me? Won’t all your luck come to me then?

-You deserve to receive my luck. You saved the life of a precious friend. Of course, it may not have any practical value, but…

Malik paused before continuing.

-It might help just knowing that there’s someone who’s blessing your path. When you face difficult times, look at it and cheer up. Well, if you have time, come here and take care of patients too.

Malik grinned, revealing his teeth.

Jun-hoo put the bill back in his wallet and continued walking.

The bracelet that was Sung-ho hyung’s [older brother/friend] keepsake, the two-dollar bill that Malik gave him as a gift.

Jun-hoo felt reassured by the fact that two people were looking out for him.

Surely, today’s test would be no problem.

* * *

A young man stood at the entrance of the Mayhew Clinic.

While patients, guardians, and staff hurried along, the young man’s legs seemed glued to the ground.

The young man scanned the scenery of the Mayhew Clinic with wide eyes.

The main building exuded a stylish and elegant atmosphere, like a luxury hotel.

The large and low annexes surrounding it, the sky bridge connecting the main building and the annexes.

The Mayhew Clinic itself seemed to be building a medical ecosystem.

The young man, who had been overwhelmed by the aura emanating from the hospital, slowly began to walk.

The young man was none other than Jun-hoo.

Jun-hoo walked around, looking around like a child who had come to an amusement park for the first time.

Everything was amazing to see in person.

‘Come to think of it, I felt like this when I first came to the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance].’

Recalling similar memories from the Murim world [world of martial arts], Jun-hoo smiled.

The hospital grounds were so large that it took Jun-hoo a full 20 minutes to arrive at the interview site.

The interview was held in Building B of the medical school building, which was far from the hospital building.

The fifth floor was already packed with test takers.

Those who had arrived early were sitting in chairs, looking at the medical books they had brought.

Others occupied a spot in the hallway or in front of the elevator, fiddling with their phones or reading books.

From what Jun-hoo had heard, there were approximately 200 applicants in this place today, all of whom were applying for neurosurgery.

Furthermore, only 7 of them would be able to enjoy the glory of passing.

No. Since one spot was already decided, it would be more accurate to say 6?

Jun-hoo’s gaze turned to his wristwatch.

The current time was 8:30 a.m.

Soon, the reality of the Boost Up test, which had been shrouded in mystery, would be revealed.

His heart was already pounding.

But that pounding was not from tension or anxiety, but from anticipation and excitement.

As Jun-hoo headed towards the vending machine, a group who had been getting drinks before him stared intently at Jun-hoo.

Even though it was their first time meeting, their gazes towards Jun-hoo were not kind.

“What? Someone like you came to take the test?”

A tall, blond, curly-haired young man asked Jun-hoo in a confrontational tone.

Looking at his applicant badge, his name was Raymond.

When Raymond started a fight, his gang giggled as if they were having a great time.

“Hey, when someone talks to you, you have to answer. Answer. Are you deaf?”

“Where’s that dog barking?”

Jun-hoo pretended to pick his ears and ignored them.

Raymond frowned at this and blocked Jun-hoo’s path.

When Jun-hoo tried to move to the side, he blocked him again.

The two men’s gazes collided intensely in the air.

“Did you just call me a dog? Say it again. You monkey bastard.”

Raymond brought both hands to his eyes and stretched them wide from side to side.

He had known from the first time he started a fight that Raymond and his group were hardcore racists.

“Your gesture is a little, no, a lot wrong?”

“What do you mean?”

“My eyes are much bigger than yours. So I should be doing that gesture.”

Jun-hoo returned the gesture that Raymond had made.

Raymond’s face turned red in an instant, as if he felt insulted.

The group behind Raymond also showed a fierce momentum as if they were about to pounce on Jun-hoo right away.

The curious gazes of the applicants who sensed the fight also flocked to Jun-hoo from all directions.

“Don’t be ridiculous, monkey. The place for you is not Mayhew, but the zoo.”

Jun-hoo frowned at Raymond’s repeated abusive language.

The patience he had engraved in his heart had already exceeded its limit.

“What? What are you going to do if you glare at me like that? Are you going to hit me? With those soft fists of yours?”

Raymond continued to provoke him, not knowing his place.

“Stop talking nonsense, you moron. If you want to take the test safely today…”

“This bastard, you think I’m easy to mess with because I’m just talking? I’ll make you wake up before the test.”

Was he angry because Jun-hoo didn’t act submissive?

Raymond suddenly swung his palm at Jun-hoo, trying to slap him on the cheek.

Thud!

However, Jun-hoo intercepted Raymond’s wrist with a Chin-Na technique [joint locking technique]. As he put strength into his grip, Raymond let out a shrill scream and complained of pain.

“Ah! Ah! Let go of this! You monkey bastard?!”

Regardless, Jun-hoo lightly pulled Raymond’s wrist towards him.

Raymond’s body leaned helplessly towards Jun-hoo.

Right then!

Swish! Swish!

Jun-hoo’s left index finger moved like lightning, striking near Raymond’s carotid arteries on both sides.

His hand movements were so ghostly that no one could recognize Jun-hoo’s technique.

Even Raymond himself, who was in pain with his wrist held, did not notice.

“There, what’s going on?”

Just in time, the supervisor approached Jun-hoo, having come after hearing Raymond’s groans.

“This guy started a fight by making racist remarks. The applicants around here all heard it.”

Jun-hoo said, scanning the applicants who were watching.

Several applicants nodded as if it was true.

“I heard it clearly too. He made a gesture of tearing his eyes and even tried to slap him.”

“He even said yellow monkey.”

Some students even actively took Jun-hoo’s side.

Justice was still alive.

“Raymond, is everything I just heard true?”

The supervisor demanded an explanation from Raymond with sharp eyes.

However, Raymond only opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish and couldn’t say anything.

Then, as if frustrated, he pounded his chest like a drum.

“What are you saying now? Are you kidding me too?”

“…….”

Eventually, Raymond stomped his feet.

“Hey, Raymond. You have to explain properly. You won’t even be able to take the test like this.”

“The supervisor is here, what are you doing? Apologize quickly.”

The group who had been standing behind Raymond also started saying something to Raymond.

But Raymond still couldn’t speak. To be exact, his lips were moving, but he couldn’t make a sound.

-Strangely, my voice won’t come out. I don’t know what’s going on.

Raymond finally typed on his phone’s notepad to speak instead.

The supervisor looked dumbfounded at this.

Other applicants and Raymond’s group had similar reactions.

It didn’t make sense.

How could someone who had been spewing out all kinds of low-quality words suddenly be unable to speak?

“Raymond. Do you think Mayhew Clinic is a joke? Did you think you could get away with your mistake with such a trivial method?”

-It’s not like that. I really can’t make a sound. I’m going crazy, really. How do I explain this?

“Follow me to the supervisor’s office for now.”

The supervisor led the way, followed by Raymond.

Meanwhile, Jun-hoo crossed his arms and watched Raymond’s shrinking back with a satisfied smile.

When Jun-hoo had a physical fight with Raymond a little while ago, Jun-hoo had struck Raymond’s blood points [vital points in traditional martial arts].

If you strike the blood points, you can’t speak.

He gave him a special punishment to prevent him from speaking because he was so rude.

The duration of the blood point strike was approximately 3 hours, and the test end time was also approximately 3 hours.

Raymond couldn’t speak until the end of the test.

In other words, he had ruined the test.