Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 98

98. This Doesn’t Feel Right (5)

How could Go Ji-hoon suddenly get better?

The question loomed even larger after my conversation with Lim Ye-ji yesterday.

Since Go Ji-hoon himself didn’t know the reason, it wasn’t easy to accurately grasp the situation.

A sentence I saw in Go Ji-hoon’s information window a while ago suddenly came to mind.

-Feeling grateful to Professor Park Jung-joon.

There’s nothing more effective than talking directly to the person in charge of the treatment.

In the end, I decided to meet Professor Park Jung-joon in person.

Since he was such a renowned university hospital professor, finding his office wasn’t difficult.

I headed straight to the university hospital where Park Jung-joon worked.

Before long, I arrived in front of Professor Park Jung-joon’s office.

“Hello.”

I greeted the employee sitting at the reception desk.

“Oh, you’re Kang Hyun-woo, right?”

Since it was a hospital frequently visited by athletes, the staff recognized me immediately.

“If Professor Park Jung-joon is available, would it be possible to see him for a moment?”

“Professor Park? Did you make an appointment? I know the professor has another schedule right after this….”

The employee looked flustered and flipped through the schedule.

“I didn’t make an appointment specifically… I have a question regarding player Go Ji-hoon. It will only take a moment.”

“Ah, you’re here for agency business, not a medical appointment?”

“Yes, you could say that.”

“Just a moment.”

The employee jumped up and went into the professor’s office.

After a short while, she came out again and gestured to me.

“Kang Hyun-woo, you can go in now.”

“Thank you.”

I thanked the employee and approached the professor’s office.

Knocking, I carefully opened the door and went inside.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Professor, hello.”

I bowed as I made eye contact with Professor Park Jung-joon.

“Oh, Kang Hyun-woo. Nice to meet you.”

Park Jung-joon got up from his seat and greeted me.

“I apologize for coming so suddenly.”

“Oh, don’t mention it. You’re a guest sent by CEO Lim, so of course, I have to welcome you.”

Park Jung-joon gestured for me to come in with a bright smile.

He seemed to think I was there on behalf of CEO Lim Ye-ji.

“It’s nice to meet you like this. I’m Park Jung-joon.”

Park Jung-joon offered me a handshake.

“This is the first time we’ve met in person. I’m Kang Hyun-woo.”

I naturally reached out and shook his hand.

As expected of someone involved in baseball, Professor Park Jung-joon also had an information window [a game-like interface that displays character information].

-Busy preparing for a presentation at an academic seminar.

I was hoping to see the information I was curious about now, but unfortunately, I had no choice but to find out through conversation.

“You should have contacted me in advance. I have to leave soon because of my next schedule.”

“It won’t take long. There are a few things I’d like to ask.”

“If there’s anything I can help you with, I’ll answer anything.”

Park Jung-joon nodded at me, signaling me to continue.

“Has Go Ji-hoon’s physical condition improved a lot lately?”

“Hey, if he got better so quickly after receiving treatment for a few days, would we have been so worried?”

Park Jung-joon shook his head vigorously as he replied.

“His performance seems to be better than before, so I was wondering if he had gotten better. Hahaha.”

I struggled to not show my embarrassment on my face.

The thought that there might be another story was solidifying from speculation to certainty.

“Now, the effect is greatly felt because we increased the dosage of painkillers, but we can’t increase the dosage forever… It won’t be easy to maintain his condition like this for the rest of the season with the help of painkillers.”

Did they increase the dosage of painkillers more than usual?

If so, to what extent are they administering it?

“Would it be difficult to increase the dosage even more than now?”

“Haa… If it’s really necessary, it might be possible once or twice, but there are still more than 4 months left until the end of the season. Even for athletes, their bodies can’t handle it if they keep increasing it like that. They may experience severe side effects.”

“I guess so….”

“We should maintain the painkillers at this level and get proper treatment after the season.”

“How long will the necessary treatment period be after the season?”

“As I said last time, it will take at least 3 months. If his physical condition worsens more than it is now, we can’t rule out the possibility of it taking longer.”

“Ah… I see.”

“Ji-hoon has a pitching form that puts a lot of strain on his body, so even if he looks okay right now, you shouldn’t be relieved. The pain can always get worse again, so keep a close eye on him so he can be careful.”

“I understand.”

Professor Park Jung-joon didn’t deviate from his initial recommendation of 3 months of rest and treatment.

“Ji-hoon will probably come later, so I’ve told the nurses to give him physical therapy and a shot.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to leave. I have to leave now if I don’t want to be late for the seminar.”

Park Jung-joon glanced at his wristwatch and said.

“Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule. I’ll visit you again next time.”

“Okay, see you next time.”

I said goodbye to Park Jung-joon and left the hospital.

* * *

I got in the car and recalled my conversation with Professor Park Jung-joon.

Judging from the contents of the medical certificate and the nuance of what Professor Park Jung-joon was saying, it seemed clear that he had recommended treatment first.

It seems like there was another reason why they changed the method and increased the dosage of painkillers.

The problem is that, looking back on the conversations we’ve had so far, it seemed that not only Go Ji-hoon himself but also Kim Min-hwan was completely unaware of this fact.

Then there was only one person left.

I got in the car and headed to the agency’s dorm.

I felt like I had to let Go Ji-hoon know this fact and stop him, even now.

I picked up my smartphone and called Jung In-gyu.

I wanted to definitively resolve any possible loopholes.

Since Jung In-gyu studied sports psychology and injuries in college, he would be able to give me a definite answer.

-Hyun-woo, what’s wrong?

“Let me ask you one thing.”

-Sure, anything.

“Athletes often take painkillers, right?”

-It’s not just often. Which athlete hasn’t taken painkillers while playing? Especially in baseball, where you have to play over 100 games a year.”

“Then, what about increasing the dosage to play in a game?”

-It’s definitely possible when you have an important game coming up. Imagine the Korean Series [championship series of the Korea Baseball Organization] is just around the corner. Then you have to hold on for now. You can get treatment after the season.

“What about playing a whole season while taking painkillers?”

-A whole season… you mean playing for several months while taking painkillers? It’s not impossible, but would your body even be able to handle it? In that situation, it’s better to treat the injury first.”

“I guess so?”

-And the side effects would be really severe.

Side effects?

If you take too many painkillers, it’s definitely possible.

Oh, then?

-Lower back pain is gradually decreasing.

-Feeling a slight dizziness.

-No lower back pain after receiving treatment today.

-Feeling more dizziness than before.

The pieces of the information window that had been shown to Go Ji-hoon were now clearly put together.

“In-gyu, thanks.”

I hurriedly ended the call with Jung In-gyu and put down my smartphone with difficulty.

Go Ji-hoon was already experiencing side effects.

The more the pain decreased, the greater the side effects he was feeling.

Now that I knew for sure, I couldn’t stay still any longer.

I had to stop him for the sake of the player.

* * *

Now it was time to talk to Go Ji-hoon directly.

The most likely way to meet Go Ji-hoon was to go to the dorm training ground.

As expected, the prediction was correct.

Go Ji-hoon was sweating as usual to prepare for his next start.

For a moment, he seemed dizzy and paused during training.

Shortly after his training ended, I approached Go Ji-hoon.

“Senior, can I talk to you for a moment?”

“What’s wrong?”

Before starting the conversation, it was necessary to update his information window.

I lightly touched his body, pretending to brush off the dust on his clothes.

-The pain has greatly decreased after receiving treatment at the hospital today.

-Feeling more dizziness than before.

The information window content was as expected.

I was concerned that the dizziness was getting worse than before.

“Did you receive any treatment at the hospital today?”

“I got physical therapy and a shot, like usual.”

“How do you feel after receiving treatment?”

“Well, I don’t feel any pain at all today.”

Go Ji-hoon moved his body from side to side as if he was stretching.

He frowned for a moment, seemingly dizzy as he moved from side to side.

“Don’t you feel any dizziness?”

“How did you know that?”

“Is it getting worse?”

“Is it…? Now that I think about it, it seems to be getting worse than a few days ago.”

Go Ji-hoon replied, recalling his memories.

“Senior, do you know why your physical condition suddenly improved?”

“Well, isn’t it because I’ve been going for treatment several times?”

Go Ji-hoon clearly didn’t know what was happening to him right now.

“Professor Park Jung-joon said that you should focus on treatment for 3 months at first.”

“3 months? I’ve never heard of that.”

“In fact, all domestic and overseas hospitals have diagnosed that you need to rest and receive treatment for more than 3 months. Not treating it in the same way as now, but completely stopping training.”

“What does that mean? My physical condition is pretty good these days?”

Go Ji-hoon carefully moved his body with a puzzled expression.

Then, he grabbed his head and stood still for a moment, feeling dizzy.

Go Ji-hoon, who barely regained his senses, tried to move his body again,

Thud!

His legs gave way and he collapsed.

Thanks to me reaching out immediately, I was able to grab him so he wouldn’t hit his head.

“Senior! Senior!”

I shook Go Ji-hoon’s body, but he didn’t regain consciousness.

“Senior, what’s wrong!”

Oh Seok-hoon and Park Seong-joo, who were training nearby, also ran over after hearing my shout.