A Surgeon Who Uses Martial Arts [EN]: Chapter 493

Martial Surgeon – Episode 493

Chapter 96: Unprecedented Opportunity (4)

The observation surgery room.

The hospital director stared intently at the monitor displaying the surgery room.

His expression was stern and serious.

His arms were crossed tightly in an ‘∞’ shape, showing no sign of loosening.

Beside the hospital director sat the deputy director of medical affairs, the hospital’s second-in-command.

He had been in the middle of lunch.

He had arrived in a hurry after receiving the call.

“Did Director Seo request to see the hospital director?”

“He did.”

The hospital director said without taking his eyes off the monitor.

“Professor Yoon has more experience with trauma patients than Director Seo. Is there a reason you entrusted the surgery to Director Seo?”

The deputy director of medical affairs tilted his head and asked.

He couldn’t understand the hospital director’s decision based on his common sense.

Not 100 percent, but.

Experience and skill were nearly 90 percent correlated. Putting Jun-hoo forward as the chief surgeon seemed reckless.

The current situation was proof of that.

Jun-hoo, as a neurosurgeon, was performing brain surgery on the patient.

Professor Yoon was resecting the patient’s spleen.

“You were late, so you didn’t see it properly.”

“What are you referring to?”

“The patient’s hepatic portal vein ruptured.”

“Oh, my…”

The deputy director of medical affairs sighed.

Although he didn’t specialize in gastrointestinal surgery, he had majored in gastroenterology.

Hepatic portal vein rupture.

He knew better than anyone the chilling feeling that word evoked.

“It’s a miracle the patient even made it to the operating room safely.”

“You could say that. To continue what I was saying…”

“Yes, Director.”

“Director Seo was the one who sutured the hepatic portal vein. And he did it in just 10 minutes.”

“…You’re joking.”

“Have I ever made a frivolous joke to you?”

The hospital director’s voice was eerily low.

If the hospital director was this serious.

Did Jun-hoo really suture the hepatic portal vein?

And in just 10 minutes?

Even a renowned professor of gastrointestinal surgery, a so-called master, would take at least 30 minutes for such a difficult suture.

The deputy director of medical affairs felt like he was floating in the air.

He couldn’t grasp the reality.

“I recognized Director Seo’s potential since his residency. If Director Seo hadn’t been the chief surgeon, the patient would already be dead.”

“I… I see. But…”

“But what?”

“The procedure was so fast that I doubt its completeness. If the sutures come undone, a major disaster could occur.”

The deputy director of medical affairs tried to tarnish Jun-hoo’s reputation as much as possible.

He supported Assistant Professor Kim Han-sang, who was from the same medical school and hometown.

For Kim Han-sang to become a director, Jun-hoo inevitably had to become the ugly duckling.

It was a terrible thought, but.

The best-case scenario was for the patient to die during surgery, causing Jun-hoo to fall out of favor with the hospital director.

As far as the deputy director of medical affairs remembered.

Not a single person had survived after being marked by the hospital director.

Not even those at the director level were exceptions.

“The abdominal injuries seem to have recovered to some extent, but what about the brain damage?”

The deputy director of medical affairs changed the subject.

“It’s a mess, to put it simply. Even Director Seo, who’s known for his skills, probably can’t do anything this time.”

“Why do you think so?”

The deputy director of medical affairs asked, forcibly suppressing a rising smile.

“Both the external and internal injuries are too severe. The condition worsened during transport as well.”

The hospital director continued in a bitter tone.

“We can only pray that there will be as little permanent disability as possible.”

“Then shouldn’t we have done the brain surgery first? Was Director Seo’s judgment wrong?”

The deputy director of medical affairs clung to Jun-hoo’s coattails again.

“Perhaps… perhaps it was. But I’m not a trauma center specialist.”

“I’ll contact Director Moon of the trauma center to find out.”

The deputy director of medical affairs was close to Director Moon.

If Director Moon took his side, he could shift all the responsibility for this surgery onto Jun-hoo.

Director Seo.

You’ll get a big surprise if you act recklessly just because you’re good. A person should know how to be humble.

With Jun-hoo’s downfall imminent.

The deputy director of medical affairs savored the moment.

“It seems like he’s starting to realize something’s wrong?”

The deputy director of medical affairs said gleefully.

Jun-hoo was leaving the operating table. Considering the patient’s critical condition, it was a foolish action.

Who knows what could happen on the operating table while he’s gone?

“Haha. What on earth is he thinking…”

Even the hospital director, who was second to none when it came to scheming, couldn’t grasp Jun-hoo’s true intentions.

He bit his lip anxiously.

Under the intense gaze of the two men, Jun-hoo stood at the entrance of the operating room.

He picked up the phone on the wall by the entrance.

Ring, ring~

The internal phone rang cheerfully.

Surprisingly, Jun-hoo had called the observation surgery room. The ringtone was persistent and noisy, like a child demanding milk.

“I’ll answer it.”

The deputy director of medical affairs rushed to the table.

“Director Seo. Why are you calling here? Isn’t the real urgent business over there?”

He asked with a hint of mockery.

-…….

“Are you crazy? You want me to tell the hospital director that ridiculous nonsense?”

-…….

“What? You’ll stop the surgery here if I don’t tell him? Is this guy really crazy?”

-…….

“Director Seo! Director Seo!”

The deputy director of medical affairs was about to fire off a few more words, but the call was unilaterally cut off.

He stared blankly at the receiver.

Then, he slammed the receiver down in a fit of anger.

Idiot. Madman. Fool. Moron, etc.

No word could describe Jun-hoo right now.

Because what he wanted was beyond common sense.

“What is Director Seo saying?”

The hospital director glared at the returning deputy director of medical affairs with sharp eyes.

“That’s… I can’t… How can I convey such rude words…”

“Stop making people anxious and speak quickly!”

The hospital director roared.

The deputy director of medical affairs hesitated before relaying the message.

“Hahahahaha.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the hospital director threw back his head and laughed like a madman.

It was a loud laugh that revealed his uvula.

It was a completely different reaction from what the deputy director of medical affairs had expected, which was that he would unleash a torrent of curses worthy of a rapper.

“So, he’s going to play the tiger until the end? Well, I’ll play along this time.”

A complex smile appeared on the hospital director’s face.

* * *

“Director. Who did you call?”

Woo-hyun asked as Jun-hoo returned to the operating table.

Instead of answering, Jun-hoo gestured with his chin towards the second-floor surgical observation room.

“It’s a miracle that we’ve even treated a patient who should be dead by now. The hospital director will understand.”

“No. That guy will never understand.”

“Why…”

“All that matters to him is the result. He doesn’t care about the process in the slightest.”

Jun-hoo replied firmly.

He had been watching the hospital director closely throughout his residency.

That’s for four years.

The hospital director liked the best more than the best effort.

He valued results more than effort.

If there was even the slightest flaw in the surgery, he would create a reason to punish them.

Especially if the patient was a member of the National Assembly.

A person who would be responsible for his debut in the political world.

The level of punishment would be brutal.

“Dr. Kang, please assist Professor Yoon. With Dr. Kang’s help, Professor Yoon’s splenectomy will be faster.”

“Yes? Then who will assist you, Director?”

“Of course, I will…”

“Woo-hyun, not you. Keep dreaming.”

Jun-hoo wagged his index finger from side to side.

Disappointed, Woo-hyun hung his head.

“Woo-hyun, you can administer injections and take care of the patient overall.”

“So, who’s the assistant…”

“I just called them. They’ll be down soon.”

Buzz.

Just then, the operating room door opened, and a man appeared.

The man was short and stout.

But his bushy eyebrows and intense eyes were impressive. Because of his unique aura, the man looked taller.

“Everyone, please give a brief greeting. This is the hospital director.”

Jun-hoo introduced the hospital director.

In an instant, the already chilly operating room turned into an icebox.

Is he out of his mind?

Using the hospital director as a surgical assistant?

The staff was dumbfounded by Jun-hoo’s absurd idea.

Woo-hyun even hiccuped.

Step. Step.

The hospital director stood opposite Jun-hoo, exuding dignity and charisma like a character in a movie or drama.

The staff, except for Jun-hoo, couldn’t even make eye contact with the hospital director.

The hospital director’s mere presence instantly dominated the atmosphere of the operating room.

“Director Seo. You’ve made a big move. Can you handle it?”

“What’s the worst that could happen? I’ll just get fired.”

Jun-hoo replied with a smirk.

That’s right.

Jun-hoo’s secret weapon was the hospital director.

Regardless of the hospital director’s greed and selfishness, his skills as a surgeon were top-notch.

While his teacher, Park Jae-hyun, remained a director until his retirement.

The former director, who was the hospital director, had risen to the high position of hospital director.

The position of hospital director….

Couldn’t be achieved simply through political maneuvering.

It required the support of his skills as a doctor.

“You might not even be able to set foot in Shinwon University-affiliated hospitals again? Is that okay?”

“By any means necessary. Isn’t the only thing that matters is the success of the surgery? That’s what I learned from you in the past, Director…”

“Hmph. Your silver tongue is still the same.”

The hospital director didn’t stop moving his hands even while talking to Jun-hoo.

He adjusted the magnification of the microscope.

He widened the retractors to the left and right to secure Jun-hoo’s surgical view.

He sprayed saline solution with a nebulizer to prevent bleeding from dried-up blood vessels.

Although he had retired from active duty, his skillful hands hadn’t rusted in the slightest.

Old soldiers never die.

They simply fade away.

“Can you keep your promise? That if I assist, there will be no permanent disability left in the assemblyman’s brain.”

“Yes. I’m sure of it.”

“You’ve made a big claim, so show me what you’ve got. I’ll create a stage for you to run wild.”

“I’ve been waiting to hear those words.”

Jun-hoo resumed the surgery.

With the strongest assistant on earth, Jun-hoo was free to go wild.

In addition to the Manga skill, he used the Yang Su-hobak technique.

Even Illyun Myungwol (一輪明月) [A Buddhist term referring to the single, bright moon, symbolizing enlightenment or a clear state of mind].

In other words, he unleashed the final form of ‘Howol Sibisu’ [Likely a martial arts technique; further context would be needed for a more precise explanation].

It wasn’t visible because of the surgical lights, but Jun-hoo’s hands, which were operating, had a subtle moonlight glow.

Jun-hoo’s hands, infused with martial arts and internal energy, began to stir the patient’s brain.

Jun-hoo was racing with his hands like an F1 racing car.

Thanks to the veteran hospital director’s support, Jun-hoo only had to step on the accelerator without worry.

“…….”

“…….”

There was no need for communication.

The best knew what the best wanted.

Securing the surgical view.

Adjusting the microscope.

Managing blood vessels and bleeding, etc.

The hospital director fulfilled all the elements Jun-hoo wanted.

Jun-hoo momentarily forgot his sense of duty to save the patient and focused solely on exerting 100 percent of his skills.

Falling into a state of ecstasy….

Was this exhilarating.

Meanwhile, the hospital director, who was helping Jun-hoo, was having a terrible time, unlike Jun-hoo.

To keep up with Jun-hoo.

He had to draw out 200 percent of his skills.

His body was already soaked with sweat.

His arms and shoulders were screaming.

His back was aching and numb.

But there was a reason why he couldn’t let go of the forceps.

The reason was simple.

Because as much as he assisted.

Jun-hoo’s surgical speed and completeness increased exponentially.

Giving a sports car a highway instead of a sandy road.

That was the hospital director’s mission.

In a sense, the hospital director was controlling Jun-hoo.

Hey, live.

Live unconditionally until you’re smearing poop on the walls.

At least until I become a member of the National Assembly.

How much effort have I put into you, and you’re already dying?

I can’t just let you go!

The hospital director’s greed and Jun-hoo’s skills created a strange synergy.

The bleeding that had formed a red stream stopped.

The dark red blood clots disappeared.

The brain that had been pushed into the furrows returned to its original state.

And the patient’s intracranial pressure returned to normal.

The surgery ended in just one hour.