A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 388

Chapter 75: Ready (3)

“What’s going on?”

Raymond asked, arms crossed and voice sullen.

Naturally, Raymond disliked Jun-hoo.

Throughout his residency in neurosurgery at Mayu Clinic, Raymond had been recognized as a top genius.

But after participating in the Boost-Up Program, everything changed.

Raymond was constantly overshadowed by Jun-hoo.

Quizzes, surgical performance, professor evaluations, patient and guardian favorability, and so on.

There was nothing in which he surpassed Jun-hoo.

To Raymond, Jun-hoo was a trigger for inferiority and jealousy.

Every time he saw Jun-hoo’s face.

No, every time he heard the name Jun-hoo, Raymond’s gut twisted, and a fire blazed inside him.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“It’ll only take about five minutes. It won’t be long.”

Raymond didn’t answer, staring intently at Jun-hoo.

Jun-hoo probably knew.

That he hated Jun-hoo.

In fact, Jun-hoo also blatantly showed that he disliked Raymond.

So, this situation was even more incomprehensible.

It wasn’t the doctors’ office or the ward, but his private dorm room. What could he possibly want to talk about?

“Let’s go over there.”

“Okay.”

Raymond left the room first, and Jun-hoo followed behind.

Today, Raymond was more curious than jealous or envious.

Passing through the dormitory hallway, they arrived at a wide hall. There was an elevator in front and a lounge area for trainees on the left.

There were three sofas and a vending machine.

Raymond sat on the sofa first, and Jun-hoo sat across from him.

“How’s the conjoined twins separation surgery going? Are you preparing well?”

“It’s just starting. The staff hasn’t been decided yet, and I haven’t read up on the surgical techniques.”

“Well, it’s not an easy surgery. It’s the kind of surgery you might only do once in your career as a surgeon.”

Raymond nodded, legs crossed.

For the first time in a while, Raymond was feeling a variety of emotions toward Jun-hoo.

The emotion he was feeling now was admiration.

Jun-hoo was meeting with the department head to insist on being the first assistant for that difficult separation surgery.

He was arguing with the professor over the first assistant position and taking it.

Sometimes, Jun-hoo charged forward like a tank.

“So, what do you want to say? I don’t want to waste time, so get to the point.”

“What do you think about the conjoined twins separation surgery?”

“Just that the patients and their guardians are pitiful? It’s not a surgery I’m involved in, so I don’t need to think about it deeply, right?”

“What if you were involved?”

“Well, then things would be different… Wait, I’m involved?”

From Jun-hoo’s question, Raymond sensed something suspicious.

So, he uncrossed his legs and leaned his upper body closer to Jun-hoo.

Something big was coming.

“There’s one spot left for an assistant in the separation surgery. The third assistant. I’d like you to be the third.”

“Are you making fun of me right now?”

“I don’t have a hobby of making fun of other people, unlike someone else.”

“This doesn’t make sense logically.”

Raymond shook his head, unable to believe Jun-hoo’s suggestion.

To put the current situation in perspective:

There were two sworn enemies in a neighborhood.

But one of the enemies readily found a good job for the other enemy.

‘What’s this guy up to?’

‘Does he have some sinister scheme hidden?’

‘Is he hoping that I’ll make a mistake and ruin my career by being an assistant in the separation surgery?’

“The third assistant isn’t a professor but a trainee?”

“Professor Austin said to pick from the trainees no matter what.”

“If it’s a trainee, there are many others besides me. Especially Maxwell or Oliver, who you’re close to.”

Raymond persistently asked and persistently doubted.

‘Chocolate is sweet, but it rots your teeth if you eat it.’

“Why are you offering the third position to me, who you don’t even like?”

“If I considered emotional aspects, it would be right to do the surgery with Oliver or Maxwell.”

“Right. That’s what I’m saying!”

Raymond’s head moved vigorously up and down.

It seemed like Jun-hoo was finally about to reveal his true intentions.

Raymond perked up his ears.

“But I want you to take on the third position.”

“So, what’s the reason? Stop making me frustrated and tell me quickly.”

“The reason is simple.”

Jun-hoo chuckled.

“Because you’re the most skilled among the trainees, except for me.”

“My skills are the best?”

“Of course. Isn’t that a fact that everyone knows and acknowledges?”

Raymond didn’t know whether to like Jun-hoo’s sudden praise or feel insulted.

“In short, I chose you solely based on your skills.”

“…….”

“To succeed in the separation surgery and save the twins, I need the most skilled staff by my side. Honestly, I hate you too, but it’s right to exclude personal feelings in surgery.”

Jun-hoo rattled off an explanation in a firm voice.

Now Raymond seemed to understand Jun-hoo’s sincerity.

‘Seriously, what’s up with this guy?’

Raymond clicked his tongue inwardly.

If Raymond were in Jun-hoo’s position, he would never have chosen Jun-hoo as the third assistant.

What surgeon would want to do a surgery lasting over 12 hours next to someone they hate?

But Jun-hoo chose Raymond solely based on the patient’s outcome.

Not even considering himself.

It meant he was only thinking about the patient.

“What will you do if I refuse?”

Raymond, who had the upper hand, leaned back on the sofa and asked.

There was a subtle arrogance in his tone.

“I’ll bother you until you agree.”

“You can just have your friends be the assistants, right? If I refuse, you’ll have a good reason too.”

“I just want to do the best surgery possible.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had the upper hand with you.”

Raymond smiled brightly and got up from his seat. He passed Jun-hoo as if he had nothing more to say.

Then, he turned back and approached Jun-hoo, extending his hand.

“You won’t regret choosing me.”

* * *

That evening.

After finishing his conversation with Raymond, Jun-hoo returned to his dorm.

He stood in front of the veranda with the window wide open, gazing outside.

A full moon hung generously in the dark sky. The surrounding hospital buildings emitted bright light like lighthouses.

The chilly late autumn wind playfully ruffled Jun-hoo’s hair and ran away.

Jun-hoo believed he had successfully completed the task given to him by Department Head Austin.

-Who among the trainees will you put next to you?

The main point of the task Austin gave was simple.

It was whether Jun-hoo had the foresight to choose the right staff for the surgery.

If it wasn’t a separation surgery.

In other words, if the difficulty of the surgery was just a little lower.

Jun-hoo would have chosen Maxwell as the third.

He communicated well, and his skills had also improved rapidly with the Crushing Earth Palm [a martial arts technique].

But the more suitable person for the separation surgery was Raymond. Regardless of his dislike, Raymond was the most skilled among the trainees.

And all that was needed for the separation surgery was one thing.

Only skill.

‘I thought he’d resist a little more, but he surprisingly went along with it.’

A smile appeared on Jun-hoo’s lips.

Raymond was probably proud that Jun-hoo inwardly acknowledged him.

Praise makes even whales dance [an idiom meaning everyone likes to be praised].

Even if that praise comes from an enemy or rival.

Jun-hoo, who was changing his mood, picked up his phone. He searched for the names of the twins’ parents in the search bar.

“Ha…….”

A sigh mixed with admiration escaped.

The male guardian was the CEO of a big tech company related to electric cars, and the female guardian was a renowned lecturer related to self-improvement and motivation.

Jun-hoo now understood why they had said they would increase some of their stock if the separation surgery was successful.

In addition, he also gained the realization that no matter how much money there is.

It is powerless in the face of health and life.

(Of course, having a lot of money makes health management easier.)

Beeep. Beeep.

The phone vibrated just in time.

Checking the number, it was a call from the ward.

-Doctor. This is Daniel, on duty. Is it okay to talk?”

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

-…….

Daniel started notifying him without taking a single breath. Jun-hoo’s face gradually hardened as he listened to the notification.

“I’ll be right there.”

There was no need for lengthy orders.

Jun-hoo changed into blue scrubs and put on a white coat over them.

He stepped out, leaving the dormitory and running toward the ward.

It took less than 10 minutes to reach the ward.

Creak.

Jun-hoo hurriedly rushed into a room close to the station.

“Doctor, you’re here?”

Daniel looked at Jun-hoo with a face that said he was now saved.

The twins’ guardians, Jordan and Scarlett, were looking at Jun-hoo with anxious eyes.

Jun-hoo went to the bedside and examined the twins’ condition.

The twins’ faces were red.

The children were flailing their arms and legs and crying loudly.

“What are their vitals?”

“Their temperature, pulse, and respiration are normal, but their blood pressure is a little high.”

“How much?”

“140mmHg/100mmHg. But I don’t think it’s anything to worry about too much. I measured it while they were crying, so.”

“Even considering that, it’s a bit high, isn’t it?”

Jun-hoo’s once furrowed face did not smooth out.

Although their crowns were attached [referring to the point where they are conjoined].

The twins had been living in the hospital without any problems.

Jun-hoo had been steadily paying attention to them.

But why did this accident suddenly happen?

It was necessary to find the cause of the problem and respond quickly.

Surgery is important, but.

Making sure the patient is in a condition to withstand the surgery is as important as the surgery itself.

“You said Emma threw up?”

“Yes. She threw up a palmful of thin liquid. Then Sophia started crying.”

“Doctor. What’s the problem?”

Jordan, who had been silent, asked with a serious expression.

“We’ll have to examine them now.”

Jun-hoo’s gaze still wouldn’t leave the twins. His attitude was calm, but his mind was in utter chaos.

Jun-hoo repeatedly asked himself and answered himself.

‘Could it be meningitis?’

‘Considering that their temperature is still normal, it’s best to exclude infections.’

‘Considering that they suddenly had a seizure, epilepsy is also worth suspecting. Should I take an EEG [electroencephalogram]?’

‘Did the liquid diet go in wrong?’

‘Are they simply constipated?’

‘No, we can’t overlook the high blood pressure.’

‘Children can cry for no reason.’

‘Maybe I’m being too sensitive because they’re conjoined twins.’

Despite numerous self-questioning and answering, Jun-hoo was struggling to find a suitable cause.

Honestly, there were too many reasons why humans get sick.

“Uwaaaaaaang!”

Even in the midst of all this, the children wouldn’t stop crying. Rather, they raised their voices even louder.

If the children were normal, the parents would have tried to calm them down by holding them in their arms.

But Emma and Sophia couldn’t be held and comforted because their crowns were attached.

As the situation became more and more serious, the gazes of the guardians and Daniel wouldn’t leave Jun-hoo.

Now Jun-hoo was the only lifeline.

“Let’s calm the children down before the examination.”

Jun-hoo finally opened his mouth.