A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 353

The Surgeon Using Martial Arts – Episode 353

Chapter 68: The Newbie (3)

“What’s all the commotion this morning?”

Joon-hoo looked up at the unfamiliar voice.

Thud. Thud.

A professor, appearing to be in his mid-50s, entered the conference room and confidently strode onto the platform.

The professor’s demeanor was as gentle as the spring sunshine.

His face was round, and his eyes were large and clear.

A subtle smile played around his lips like gentle ripples.

He was Austin, the final director of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Boost-Up Program.

As Austin appeared, Bruce subtly stepped aside, yielding the center of the platform.

“I was just telling them about the written test, and the trainees were complaining.”

“Specifically, who?”

Austin narrowed his eyes and scanned the trainees.

“Well, almost everyone thinks it’s too harsh…”

“You’re a bunch of daylight robbers. You rushed in here wanting to learn in one year what others learn in two or three, and now you’re saying the test is too difficult?”

“…”

“Should I just fail all of you right here and now?”

Austin’s voice was chilling.

It wasn’t just a threat.

Everyone in the room could feel that he genuinely had the nerve to do it.

Meanwhile, Joon-hoo chuckled inwardly at Austin’s forcefulness.

A gentle appearance with a fiery, spicy personality.

He had dealt with similar characters in the Murim world [a fictional world of martial arts and chivalry, often found in Asian fantasy novels], which brought a smile to his face.

‘But who does he remind me of…? Where have I seen him before?’

Joon-hoo felt a sense of déjà vu from Austin’s appearance and tilted his head.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

Austin fixed his gaze on Joon-hoo.

“No, sir.”

“Then what is it?”

“I was just thinking how honored I am to learn pediatric neurosurgery from you, Professor.”

“Hmph. Is that so? I hope you maintain that sentiment until the end. Don’t go crazy during the training.”

Austin retorted to Joon-hoo’s words cynically.

With Austin’s appearance.

The atmosphere in the conference room became as disciplined as a military camp.

The trainees straightened their backs without even realizing it.

The chatter disappeared in an instant.

“As Bruce has told you, my training is not easy. It will probably be the most grueling course compared to other specialties you’ll receive in the future.”

Austin continued, crossing his arms.

“One wrong move from you can ruin a child’s life.”

“…”

“So always be alert and always study. Unless you want to be a doctor who is ashamed in front of the child and their parents. No response?”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

The trainees answered in unison with a loud voice.

Austin explained the training schedule once more and then pointed at Joon-hoo with his index finger.

“You.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“You’re the first one for the outpatient clinic starting this morning. Be in the outpatient clinic on the first floor by 9 a.m.”

Without waiting for Joon-hoo’s reply, Austin briskly left the conference room.

Soon, Bruce also left, and the tense atmosphere in the conference room relaxed.

“Joon-hoo, did you get on his bad side? Making you do outpatient care on the first day?”

Oliver continued with a look of disbelief.

“If they’re going to make you do outpatient care, they should at least teach you something. This is like making you cook without giving you the recipe.”

“It’s okay. I think it’ll be fun.”

Joon-hoo smiled as if to say it was okay.

It wasn’t just a facade; he meant it.

There were definitely benefits to be gained from throwing himself into an unfamiliar environment.

And he wanted to make sure Austin remembered his presence through this opportunity.

The more attention he received.

The more crumbs would fall.

Just like a noisy baby bird gets more food from its mother.

‘It would be even better if I could show that a surgeon from Korea is not to be trifled with.’

Joon-hoo also had an ambitious plan to spread some national pride at the Mayou Clinic.

“Fun in this situation? This isn’t a comedy movie. I think the genre of our program is horror.”

Oliver shuddered.

Joon-hoo watched Oliver closely.

Curly blonde hair.

Blue eyes.

A round face with no sharp edges.

Now that he thought about it, the source of the déjà vu he felt from Austin seemed to stem from Oliver.

“Oliver.”

“What?”

“I’ve been watching you, and you kind of look like Professor Austin?”

Oliver chuckled at Joon-hoo’s remark.

“Why do you think so?”

“Well, your personalities are the opposite, but your facial features feel similar.”

“Are you serious?”

When Joon-hoo nodded, Oliver scanned his surroundings and whispered closely to Joon-hoo.

“You’re really something in many ways. That’s right. Professor Austin is my father.”

He had said it half-jokingly, but it turned out to be true.

Joon-hoo’s eyes widened in surprise.

He didn’t know who Raymond’s backer was, but it was nothing compared to Oliver.

Oliver was the real golden spoon [a person born into wealth and privilege].

* * *

After parting ways with Oliver, Joon-hoo went straight down to the first floor of the main building.

Whether it was because he was anticipating it.

Or because he was nervous, he didn’t know, but his heart was pounding.

He had never specifically studied pediatric neurosurgery when he was in Korea.

He didn’t have enough time to learn about brain tumors, cerebral vessels, and cervical and lumbar spine parts.

The situation was the same for pediatric neurosurgery operations.

He had only assisted in Moyamoya disease [a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder] a few times.

Outpatient care was also unfamiliar.

No. It was his first time ever.

Originally, he could only see outpatient care after completing a detailed fellowship.

Everything was new.

But Joon-hoo’s steps toward the outpatient clinic were confident.

He couldn’t afford to be intimidated in front of the patient and their guardian.

If the surgeon doesn’t believe in himself, the patient and guardian will have nowhere to turn.

The current time was 8:50 a.m.

It was still before the start of outpatient care, but the waiting room was already packed with patients and guardians.

Most of them would be patients with appointments or returning patients.

As he walked, Joon-hoo’s eyes busily scanned the patients.

From their appearance to their attire.

Most of the patients looked relaxed.

Considering the exorbitant medical costs in the United States, most of the patients who visited Mayou were likely wealthy.

‘Is it here?’

Joon-hoo’s feet stopped in front of Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic Room 1.

On the electronic display in front of the clinic desk.

A photo of Austin’s upper body with his arms crossed was displayed.

“Hello. I’m Joon-hoo Seo, here for outpatient care.”

“Nice to meet you, Doctor.”

The nurse standing in front of the clinic desk greeted Joon-hoo with a welcoming smile.

Her name, Jennifer, was written on her name tag.

“I hate to say this so early on.”

Jennifer glanced at the clinic door and continued.

“You better brace yourself.”

“Why?”

“Professor Austin’s personality is so fiery. They even call him Fireman. Don’t be too surprised if he throws around the ‘F’ word [a euphemism for curse words].”

“Aren’t you scaring me too much?”

In response to Joon-hoo’s words, Jennifer shook her head as if to say no.

After finishing his conversation with Jennifer, Joon-hoo knocked on the clinic door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Only after hearing a voice telling him to come in did Joon-hoo enter the clinic.

Austin was doing light stretches by the window.

“Come here.”

“Yes, Professor.”

As Joon-hoo stood facing Austin, Austin examined Joon-hoo’s body from head to toe.

“Looks like you exercise regularly? Your body is quite toned.”

“I usually take good care of my body. Surgery requires physical strength.”

“Fortunately, you have some sense. A surgeon is essentially a manual laborer, but too many of them mistreat their bodies.”

As he said that, Austin was the owner of a toned physique for his age.

He had no excess fat, his shoulders were broad, and his chest muscles protruded.

Joon-hoo was quite touched by Austin, who had been thoroughly taking care of his body to care for patients.

Even though his personality might be eccentric.

He could feel that his heart for the patients was genuine.

That alone was enough for Joon-hoo to have common ground with Austin.

“We still have time, should we do 50 squats or so?”

“Sounds good.”

Joon-hoo readily accepted Austin’s sudden suggestion.

Austin carefully observed Joon-hoo’s posture even while doing squats.

“Good posture and good speed. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a guy I like.”

Austin grinned.

Joon-hoo also grinned back.

To be honest, he only knew what squats were, but he had never actually done them.

But what did that matter?

When Joon-hoo was learning martial arts in the Murim world, he used to maintain a horse stance for an hour.

Compared to that, squats were a piece of cake.

Indeed, when the squats were over, Joon-hoo’s breathing hadn’t even faltered.

Austin was the same.

“Your thighs are tight, and you’re full of energy today. You. I’m very pleased with your stamina, but…”

Austin paused before continuing.

“That doesn’t mean you’re going to screw up the examination, right? If you do, I’ll give you an earful until your ears bleed.”

“You’ll see.”

Joon-hoo replied calmly.

The closer it got to the examination time, the calmer his mind became.

Joon-hoo tended to become more composed in times of crisis.

This was something he had learned while risking his life against the Murim enemy, Jeok Il-do.

With the examination time just around the corner, Joon-hoo was sitting in the examination chair, and Austin was sitting next to him.

Click. Click.

Joon-hoo was trying to carefully examine the first patient’s chart, but he faced difficulties from the start.

Of all things…

It was a first-time patient.

The only facts Joon-hoo could learn from the chart were that the patient was a 2-month-old baby and her name was Christine.

“Looks like we’re going to see a patient who’s a pain in the ass from the start.”

Austin looked at Joon-hoo and chuckled, as if he was enjoying it.

But that only made Joon-hoo more determined.

A fierce glint appeared in Joon-hoo’s eyes.

No one in Korea had ever looked down on Joon-hoo.

If anything, there were only people who envied, were jealous of, or checked Joon-hoo.

Maybe that’s why.

Austin’s provocation further fueled Joon-hoo’s fighting spirit.

Tick tock!

The moment the second hand on the wall clock reached exactly 9 o’clock, a knock was heard.

“Doctor, may I send the patient in?”

“Yes, send them in.”

As soon as Joon-hoo answered, the guardian holding the child sat in the chair opposite Joon-hoo.

The guardian stared at Joon-hoo and then turned her gaze to Austin.

“I came to see Dr. Austin. Who is this person?”

“He’s a trainee receiving my education. He’s not just anyone. He also has a resident license.”

“…”

“He’ll see you first, and then I’ll check, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

Even though Austin explained the situation, the guardian’s lips were pouted.

He had suddenly become an ugly duckling [an idiom for someone who is initially perceived as unattractive or unskilled but later proves to be talented or beautiful], but Joon-hoo remained calm.

There was no reason to resent the guardian.

If Joon-hoo were in the guardian’s position, he would have reacted the same way.

The way to gain the guardian’s trust.

That would be to provide sincere and accurate care.

“What symptoms does the child have that brought you here?”

Joon-hoo’s first interview began.