I Became the Oriental Doctor for Divine Beasts - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I had become a doctor to the gods.
#17
“Father!”
Baek Eun-ho cried out in alarm.
I blinked blankly, scarcely able to process what I was hearing.
“We’ve found a Purifier with such difficulty—we can’t simply give up now! And what about the Curse Magic afflicting you?”
“Baek Eun-ho.”
Chairman Baek’s voice was gentle, but his tone was resolute.
“If Go Yeon-hee doesn’t wish to fight the Fallen Ones, I cannot force her. Especially not into something as dangerous as this.”
Eun-ho, who had been about to protest, closed his mouth and fell silent, his gaze fixed on me.
……
My heart was in turmoil. My mind felt torn in a thousand directions.
Perhaps this was my chance to slip back into an ordinary life.
But could I truly be happy if I ran away, abandoned Baek Myodang and these people, and tried to live alone?
Besides, there was a question I needed to answer.
‘What on earth happened to my mother?’
Ever since I turned seventeen, I had lived believing my mother had abandoned me.
When fever burned through me and I was alone at home.
When I faced my birthday by myself.
When I stood alone at school events where other children had their parents.
When I didn’t know how I’d pay for living expenses or tuition……
Each time, I resented my mother for leaving without a word.
But the longing was just as fierce as the resentment, and that contradiction tore me apart.
‘But what if my mother had her own reasons?’
Go Yeon-hee. Could you really live with that knot left untied?
The moment I asked myself, the answer came.
I couldn’t.
Without untangling this wound in my heart, I would never know true happiness.
‘That’s right. The war has already begun anyway.’
I clenched my fists.
I could run. I could hide. But that wouldn’t make the problem disappear.
Rather than evade, I wanted to grow strong enough to protect my life and Alfred’s with my own hands, and to uncover the truth about my mother.
‘If I accumulate more Spiritual Energy, I’ll be able to suppress whatever Curse Magic they throw at me.’
In the end, I had to save myself.
Only I could restore peace to Baek Myodang, and only I could uncover the truth about my mother’s death.
My resolve hardened by degrees.
I took a slow, steadying breath and spoke with certainty.
“I won’t hide or run away. I want to become stronger. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect what matters to me.”
Chairman Baek listened to my words, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded.
A flicker of subtle admiration crossed Eun-ho’s eyes.
Alfred tapped my hand gently, as if cheering me on.
‘I need to grow stronger. Strong enough that the Fallen Ones will never stand before us again.’
The moment I spoke my resolve aloud, my heart felt lighter.
I was afraid, but I had sworn to myself that I would not run anymore.
* * *
The next morning, I finished preparing for work and headed downstairs to the dining room.
Truthfully, my body still felt impossibly heavy—as though my limbs were made of lead.
But I had no intention of calling in sick. I had always received perfect attendance awards back in school, after all.
‘The patients will be waiting for me. Moving around feels better than staying still.’
As I entered the dining room, soft morning sunlight streamed through the large window, illuminating the space.
On the broad wooden table sat a neatly arranged Korean meal.
At a glance, it spoke of refinement and care.
“Ah, you’re up, Go Yeon-hee.”
Chairman Baek had already finished eating and sat at the end of the table, sipping coffee while reading the newspaper.
A delicate aroma of coffee drifted through the room.
He glanced up from the paper toward me.
“After what happened last night, you’re not resting?”
“The patients will be waiting—Jeom-soon with her aching back, Gil-yeong who can barely walk because of his stiff knees……. When I think of them waiting for me, rest doesn’t feel restful.”
I sat down with a smile.
“And if my abilities grow stronger with each treatment, then I need to keep at it daily to improve quickly.”
Chairman Baek’s gaze softened. He looked genuinely impressed.
“I wish Eun-ho had half your sense of responsibility.”
He folded the newspaper and set it aside with a chuckle.
“To me, he still looks like an obstinate child—stubborn as they come, with too much pride for his own good.”
“Ah, haha……”
I laughed awkwardly.
His eyes drifted to his coffee cup, then back to me.
“It’s strange, though—when he’s with you, Eun-ho seems at ease. As a boy, he was so lovable, so affectionate…… but after that incident, he’s never let anyone close.”
My spoon froze mid-motion.
“That incident?”
“Ah, well……”
Chairman Baek’s expression shifted to one of regret. He pursed his lips slightly, as if realizing he’d said too much.
The air around us was turning awkward when—
“Good morning.”
Perfectly timed, Baek Eun-ho himself appeared.
He wore a crisp black suit, his hair neatly groomed, that familiar stern expression settled back on his face.
The Chairman and I both snapped our mouths shut in unison.
‘So something did happen to Baek Eun-ho in the past.’
I lifted a spoonful of soup, my mind churning.
I’d already noticed his reaction yesterday was unusually intense when I collapsed.
Even someone like Baek Eun-ho, who seemed to have everything, must be hiding some unspeakable pain……
I was starting to feel a vague melancholy when Chairman Baek turned to Eun-ho with affection.
“You should eat quickly. Are you planning to stay at Baek Myodang with Go Yeon-hee today as well?”
“Yes, I need to. We have to strengthen security after yesterday.”
Baek Eun-ho perched on a nearby chair.
“Now that they’ve encountered a variable, they won’t risk a direct assault immediately. But we can’t ignore the possibility.”
Eun-ho paused briefly, glancing toward me.
His gaze held both resolve and something else—a subtle hint of guilt.
He lifted his utensils quietly and continued.
“Go Yeon-hee can restore damaged Spiritual Energy, remove Corrupted Energy, and neutralize Curse Magic. She’s become the key player in this war. We must protect her at all costs.”
My face flushed slightly.
To receive such an assessment face-to-face was embarrassing.
I added playfully to deflect.
“So I’m a strategic asset, then? How flattering.”
Eun-ho raised an eyebrow and replied with perfect seriousness.
“Does this strategic asset have any intention of slacking off?”
“None. You must be busy—why don’t you leave me with the security staff and go handle important matters?”
“I told you. There’s nothing more important than this.”
As we bickered, Chairman Baek interjected in a soothing tone.
“Go Yeon-hee, I know staying here and having Eun-ho hover over you must be suffocating. But please bear with it a while longer. Once we’ve assessed the situation further and I’m confident it’s safe, you’re free to return to your normal life.”
“No, that’s not what I meant at all. I’m actually grateful.”
I quickly waved my hands in protest.
Chairman Baek’s eyes curved into crescents, and a genuine smile bloomed on his face.
“Personally, I’m glad you’re here. Not only do I get treatment from a skilled physician, but your presence has brightened the whole household.”
“Ah……”
I lowered my head, suddenly shy.
In that moment, stronger sunlight poured through the large window.
Though I had decided to step into the midst of war—
This morning, at least for a moment, I could recall what peace meant.
* * *
The day’s clinic hours at Baek Myodang were winding down.
My last patients were Jung Ra-bit and Ma Yun-sang.
“Yeon-hee!”
Ra-bit burst into the office and immediately pulled me into a tight embrace, her eyes red and swollen.
The long ears characteristic of her rabbit-folk heritage trembled anxiously.
“It’s because of me, because of me……! You got exposed because of me, and something terrible happened!”
Her small frame shook with each sob.
I held her close and patted her back gently.
“Stop crying. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
“But……!”
Meanwhile, Ma Yun-sang had also entered, his face shadowed with worry.
His usual calm demeanor had vanished entirely.
“Director……! I was so frightened!”
I smiled with narrowed eyes, amused.
“Wait—were you about to call me ‘sister’ just now?”
“That is……”
Yun-sang scratched his head, avoiding my gaze.
His face flushed crimson in an instant.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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