Surviving as a Rogue Hospital Director - Chapter 129

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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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Episode 129.
Beom-jun returned to the Roundtable Discussion Hall at a loss for words.
‘He only sees what he wants to see—isn’t that his own problem?’
Kang Yo-han had no idea that the Uigwonhoe was fixated solely on physicians’ rights, neglecting patients and hospitals in the process.
A textbook case of tunnel vision brought on by obsessive focus on one thing.
Even when Beom-jun presented objective facts, Yo-han refused to accept them.
Whatever the Uigwonhoe had been in the beginning, the man before him now was incapable of rational thought.
“Tsk.”
Beom-jun clicked his tongue. Whether to pity him or not—the problem was his conviction had taken a wrong turn.
At the sound, both the Director of Eunseong Hospital and the Director of Cheonhui University Hospital looked toward him simultaneously.
Beom-jun popped a Financier that had been served as a snack into his mouth and made a show of savoring it.
“Mmm, delicious. Would you like some?”
“No, thank you.”
“You don’t seem to have much appetite.”
With the National AI Medical Center designation looming, the two hospital directors only grew more irritated watching him—he looked as though everything in the world had become effortless.
Beom-jun crunched away at the pastry. The sweetness sharpened his mind further.
Making an alliance with the enemy of one’s enemy. Beom-jun already saw a path forward. Kang Yo-han of Saint Hospital had shown him an excellent way.
Just as Yo-han had done, Beom-jun could withdraw Korea University Hospital’s candidacy and throw his weight behind Cheonhui University Hospital instead.
Beom-jun opened his Status Window and clicked on the reward he’d receive if he cleared this Hidden Quest. He’d gone to the restroom earlier specifically to check this, but Yo-han’s sudden appearance had stopped him.
[Name: Fever Mode (3-Day Pass)]
Description: Grants Fever Time for three consecutive days to a designated individual.
Remaining Uses: 1]
Of course. It was connected to the Fever Time that had activated for Vice Director Gu Hui-jeong.
He’d been fortunate then. If it hadn’t been for the Vice Director, the Main Quest would have taken far longer to complete.
Beom-jun first imagined the moment Fever Time would activate for Im Sung-hyuk.
[Name: Im Sung-hyuk / Position: Professor]
Patient History Interview: ■■■■□
Examination: ■■■■■
Diagnosis: ■■■■■
Treatment: ■■■■■
Follow-up: ■■■■□
– Growth Potential: Sufficient
– Favorability: MAX
Somehow, he’d already filled every category except Patient History Interview and Follow-up. Truly befitting the protagonist.
But those two—the initial patient interview and follow-up observations—occurred before and after actively treating a patient.
‘Using Fever Time on him would be a bit wasteful…’
Beom-jun tilted his head and moved to the next talent.
[Name: Lee Min-ho / Position: Resident]
Patient History Interview: ■■■□□
Examination: ■■■■□
Diagnosis: ■■■■□
Treatment: ■■■□□
Follow-up: ■■■□□
– Growth Potential: Explosive
– Favorability: MAX
Min-ho’s Treatment rating had climbed another notch since the last time Beom-jun checked.
With explosive growth potential, he was improving simply by shadowing Im Sung-hyuk—without any special incidents needed.
Still, he was only a resident. As Min-ho approached his fellowship, there were many blanks left to fill.
That meant Fever Time applied to him would produce dramatic results.
Beom-jun nodded to himself.
With Fever active, Min-ho would be able to save any patient. He’d become capable of fully stepping into Im Sung-hyuk’s role whenever the Professor wasn’t at the hospital.
Beom-jun covered his mouth with a hand, suppressing the twitch of a smile at the corners of his lips.
The mere appearance of a Hidden Quest had energized the roundtable discussion, and Fever Mode was an incredibly tempting reward.
* * *
The scheduled break ended, but the government official was nowhere to be seen—off somewhere smoking a cigarette, no doubt.
With only the hospital directors present, Beom-jun casually addressed the Director of Cheonhui University Hospital.
“Personally, I believe Cheonhui University Hospital would be an excellent match for the National AI Medical Center. How would it be if Korea University Hospital conducted separate research on AI medicine and provided the results?”
“Ah, no… pardon?”
The Director of Cheonhui University Hospital reflexively started to decline, then paused, turning the words over in his mind and looking bewildered.
“You mean… Cheonhui University Hospital?”
“Yes. Since this is a new medical system, I think it would be best to implement it simultaneously nationwide. Without regional discrimination. And Cheonhui University Hospital would be the perfect fit for that.”
Beom-jun spoke, highlighting the infrastructure Cheonhui University Hospital had in place.
Korea University Hospital and Cheonhui University Hospital had been at each other’s throats, desperate to outdo one another—but that was merely a difference in management philosophy.
Unlike Korea University Hospital, which dug deep and narrow, researching treatments, Cheonhui University Hospital had spread across regions.
That’s why Cheonhui had more patients and notably more money among the top four hospitals.
‘Neither is wrong, really—they’re just heading in different directions.’
Both claimed to be the successors of the Jejungwon, Korea’s first hospital.
Conversely, it meant the roots of Korea University Hospital and Cheonhui University Hospital were the same.
“Korea University Hospital will help. Aren’t Korea University Hospital and Cheonhui University Hospital brother institutions, after all?”
Now was no time to dwell on the past. Beom-jun strategically extended his hand to Cheonhui University Hospital.
They’d fought like bitter rivals every year, but as both were university hospitals rooted in medical schools, they shared much common ground.
At the word “brother,” the Director of Cheonhui University Hospital, Yun Min-seok, raised an eyebrow slightly.
He didn’t waste time asking who the elder brother was. Quick in judgment, he grasped the hand Beom-jun offered in good faith immediately.
“We were grateful for the work you did on Professor Jason’s research.”
Min-seok remembered how Beom-jun had previously assisted Professor Jason from Cheonhui University Hospital. Beom-jun had helped the professor successfully present his paper, and they’d implemented it through Korea University Hospital, producing results.
Had Beom-jun suddenly shown a different face, Min-seok might have suspected him. As the director moving such a massive organization as Cheonhui University Hospital, that would only be natural.
“Then, I take it Korea University Hospital is withdrawing from this National AI Medical Center?”
Min-seok demanded a clear answer from Beom-jun. Beom-jun appreciated that he didn’t waffle—he was direct.
The more uncomfortable the conversation, the more precise communication had to be to avoid complications later. An understated smile appeared at the corner of Beom-jun’s mouth.
“That’s right. Korea University Hospital should be excluded from the selection. And if Cheonhui University Hospital is chosen, we’ll provide our full support.”
[You have completed the Hidden Quest.]
[Hidden Quest: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Ally.]
[You have received Fever Mode (3-Day Pass) as a reward.]
Once the deal was solidified, the quest completed.
Having identified the objective the moment the Hidden Quest appeared, Beom-jun cleared it with ease.
‘That’s it!!’
Beom-jun cheered silently to himself.
Meanwhile, Eunseong Hospital and Saint Hospital were shaken by his words.
“From what we saw earlier, the government thought Korea University Hospital was handling this.”
“Exactly. You should discuss this further before making hasty decisions.”
Those who’d intended to unite against Korea University Hospital couldn’t hide their shock at the Korea-Cheonhui alliance.
The fact that two hospitals that had been at each other’s throats just yesterday could tear down that wall so easily was certainly surprising.
Beom-jun, however, remained perfectly composed.
“But Saint Hospital withdrew your candidacy earlier, didn’t you?”
Kang Yo-han looked as though he had something to say—it was on the tip of his tongue—but he held it back.
Saint Hospital wasn’t originally in the AI-related medical business. They primarily conducted volunteer work and charitable activities in cooperation with international organizations.
The National AI Medical Center was simply a poor fit from the start—it was never going to work anyway.
But Korea University Hospital withdrawing from the running was something else entirely.
Korea University Hospital was handing over a victory it had already locked in.
And not just withdrawing, but actively backing Cheonhui University Hospital!
The Director of Eunseong Hospital and Yo-han stared blankly at each other’s faces, speechless.
‘Damn it.’
Without a word, they understood each other’s thoughts perfectly.
* * *
After the government official returned to the discussion hall, Beom-jun relayed to the hospital directors exactly what he’d told them.
The official seemed surprised by his words, but had no authority to force Beom-jun to reconsider.
Still, Eunseong Hospital didn’t give up easily.
“Eunseong is already operating an AI diagnostic system. Our AI predictive model is in the demonstration phase as well. If we take this on, the development stage for AI medicine will be cut dramatically.”
Cheonhui University Hospital, not to be outdone, highlighted its own strengths, and the discussion grew sharp.
“Cheonhui University Hospital sees over ten million outpatient visits annually. We have decades of accumulated data. Can you build an AI Medical Center just by constructing one building? It requires continuous validation in actual clinical practice!”
Throughout, Beom-jun remained silent at his seat.
His silence wasn’t evasion or retreat. It was patience.
He let Cheonhui University Hospital take the initiative in the discussion, supplementing the Director’s points intermittently while deflecting Eunseong’s attacks.
“I understand Cheonhui University Hospital has abundant data, but similar cases don’t help AI learning much. Unless we’re talking about rare diseases or severe trauma patients.”
“We’ll provide rare cases from Korea University Hospital. Since we use the same hospital network system, there won’t be any issues.”
Supported by Beom-jun, the Director of Eunseong Hospital gritted his teeth but had no further response.
* * *
After the discussion ended, Beom-jun and Min-seok shook hands with satisfied expressions.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
“The thanks are mine. For today. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Min-seok thanked Beom-jun repeatedly as they parted.
The government official said they’d discuss further later, but everyone understood the momentum had clearly shifted toward Cheonhui University Hospital.
Yun Min-seok, with hundreds of millions of won in budget within reach, was beaming. Gaining Korea University Hospital as an ally this time was no small victory either.
Meanwhile, Kang Yo-han and the Director of Eunseong Hospital turned their backs to each other with awkward expressions.
That’s how business relations worked. When deals went well, relationships flourished; when they fell apart, so did the partnership.
After shaking hands with Min-seok, Beom-jun watched the two grow increasingly distant, then headed back to Korea University Hospital.
Nearly two hours had passed. Almost three.
But thanks to Korea University Hospital’s central location in Seoul, Beom-jun arrived in fifteen minutes.
If not for being in the heart of Seoul, Eunseong and Saint hospitals would need over an hour just to get back.
As Beom-jun headed to Korea University Hospital, he felt strangely as though he were going home.
Welcome home.
And at Korea University Hospital, Jae-gyeong and Im Sung-hyuk were waiting for him.

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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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