Surviving as a Rogue Hospital Director - Chapter 44

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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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Chapter 44.
So-jeong entered the patient Ri Mu-sung’s room. Was she already making rounds?
“I thought you’d be here.”
So-jeong showed no surprise at finding Beom-jun inside. She’d expected as much.
“How did you know?”
“Just look outside.”
At Beom-jun’s words, So-jeong gestured toward the door with her eyes. Through the small window, nurses from Ward 77, patients, and their visitors were peeking in with curious glances.
“The attention isn’t mine—it looks like the director has monopolized it all.”
Ri Mu-sung, overhearing the exchange between Beom-jun and So-jeong, chuckled softly.
‘What’s going on here?’
Beom-jun didn’t understand the situation.
After Korean University Hospital’s promotional video was released, there had been occasional instances of people recognizing him even without being staff, but nothing like this.
Beom-jun asked So-jeong why so many people had gathered.
“Why are all these people here?”
“You really don’t know? The whole nation is in an uproar right now.”
As So-jeong spoke, she gestured for Beom-jun to step outside. She held her tongue in front of the patient.
Beom-jun headed to the Rooftop Garden attached to Ward 77, with So-jeong following behind.
It wasn’t even six o’clock yet, but the sun was already low and the sky was painted with sunset hues. The air had turned quite crisp as well.
But So-jeong beside him was brimming with excitement.
“It was right before the meeting with the Commander. Remember when those military personnel came up to the patient’s room and then just left? A reporter must have been there.”
So-jeong twitched her nose as she spoke to him. While Beom-jun was dealing with the Ministry of National Defense, the media had caught the scent.
Looking out from the Rooftop Garden, broadcast station vans with massive antennas were parked in the Parking Lot. There were several different networks—KBC, CBS, SBN, and others.
She told him that journalists had been swarming outside the hospital for several days, having gotten wind of news that a North Korean soldier had been admitted.
The security team had tried to block as many as possible, but some had slipped through. They likely entered as visitors or family members of patients, she said.
“We can’t stop people who say they’re coming to visit. So it looks like a few reporters got inside. Director, look at this. It’s huge.”
So-jeong showed Beom-jun a screenshot of an internet article. The article featured a large photo of military personnel and the security team in a standoff in front of the patient’s room.
– Korean University Hospital: “Under all circumstances, a hospital must protect its patients….”
– Director Beom-jun Choi of Korean University Hospital emphasizes the authenticity of care.
Hmm, the headline was ominous.
“Authenticity? What’s that about? I don’t think I said anything like that.”
“Ah, the promotional video from before seems to have become a topic too. Since that’s the only footage of you as director out there.”
It made sense. The video had been conceived around the theme of authentic care, and it aligned perfectly with protecting the patient Ri Mu-sung.
‘So it got tangled up here as well.’
Though unintended, the context was roughly similar.
One video shot, and now it was being unearthed again. Had the View Count gone up?
Beom-jun thoughtlessly accessed the Korean University Hospital homepage and clicked on the main video.
“Jesus, what is this?”
His single click sent the View Count from 2,999,999 straight past three million.
He’d barely surpassed 100,000 views to clear the original quest, yet the count had somehow multiplied thirty times over. Beom-jun felt anew the power of public opinion.
[A Hidden Quest has been unlocked.]
[Hidden Quest completed.]
[Hidden Quest: Exceed 3 Million Views]
[You have obtained a ‘Control Gun’ as your reward.]
[Name: Control Gun
Effect: Applies dominance over a specific individual.
Remaining Uses: 1/1]
This reward also came as an item. “Applies dominance”—it looked like it would pair well with the Superior Lens.
‘I could use this when I meet the Ministry of National Defense.’
Beom-jun shrugged. Dealing with a Commander rather than a hospital staff member wasn’t going to be easy. The timing was perfect.
Beom-jun nodded and scrolled down on his phone.
– Korean University Hospital: Continuity of Care is key. Patient transfer carries significant risks….
– Director Beom-jun Choi judges visits impossible due to patient condition. Since the patient is admitted to Korean University Hospital, the hospital bears responsibility for the patient’s treatment.
The article’s focus was on him, the director—on the remarks and decisions he’d made.
‘Attention is being directed at me. That’s not a bad development.’
Beom-jun was already thinking about how to leverage that attention properly. Of course, in a way that benefited Korean University Hospital.
When Beom-jun saw the reporter’s name and contact information at the bottom of the article, he grinned. The Ministry of National Defense had been slow to respond anyway.
‘If designating Korean University Hospital as the military’s commissioned hospital is difficult, perhaps they could use a little help. There’d be nothing wrong with feeding some information to the press either.’
He recalled the arrogant Commander. If the man thought Beom-jun would sit still and wait, he was sorely mistaken.
Meanwhile, So-jeong, noticing Beom-jun staring only at his phone, brought him good news. She was trying to capture his attention.
“Oh! And Director, you might receive an award?”
“Me? What award?”
Rather than giving, receiving—Beom-jun questioned her phrasing.
“It looks like a Ministry of Unification Commendation is coming for the Ri Mu-sung case. I’m being considered as a candidate too.”
Beom-jun’s eyes widened as if remembering something.
‘Ah, now I remember.’
Originally, in the Doctor X storyline, the commendation from the Ri Mu-sung patient episode was supposed to go to Seong-hyeok. He’d been too busy and received the award by mail, but now that So-jeong had become the attending physician, the recipient seemed to have changed.
‘If I go to the awards ceremony, I could use the Control Gun…’
Surely high-ranking government officials would be gathered in one place. Among them would be people from the Ministry of National Defense’s upper echelon.
Beom-jun’s mind began working, and he spoke almost to himself.
“That works out well.”
But So-jeong, unaware of his inner thoughts, felt her cheeks flush. She looked down shyly.
* * *
Beom-jun’s commendation, surprisingly, was being awarded by the Ministry of Unification—a Ministry of Unification Commendation, no less.
Saving the patient Ri Mu-sung wasn’t merely a matter of elevating the Ministry of National Defense’s prestige.
Korean University Hospital had done well, but in truth, the Ministry of Unification had little to do these days, so there weren’t many places to bestow awards. And yet, they couldn’t simply skip over commendations that needed to be given out at least a few times per year.
Unlike presidential and prime ministerial commendations that are directly managed by the government, ministerial commendations are awarded individually by each ministry, so situations like this arise frequently.
A few days later, Beom-jun arrived at the Hotel Grand Banquet Hall nearby, where the commendation ceremony was being held.
‘They’ve made quite a spectacle of it.’
The spacious banquet hall was as grand as any wedding venue. The only difference was perhaps the absence of flowers.
In front of a LED wall that covered one entire side, a professional Announcer in a white dress stood like a trophy.
Her clear yet distinct voice, shaped by her delivery, filled and emptied the quiet banquet hall.
“The 17th Ministry of Unification Commendation Ceremony will now commence. Honored guests, please take your seats.”
Beom-jun gazed toward the podium with a bored expression.
First came the opening remarks from a person of great importance,
followed by congratulatory remarks from an even more important person.
An even more important person was introduced as an award recipient.
“Next, we have the Ministry of Unification Commendation. When your name is called, please come forward.”
As his turn approached, Beom-jun adjusted his appearance.
“Director Beom-jun Choi of Korean University Hospital, congratulations.”
Upon taking the stage, Beom-jun received a certificate and a bouquet of flowers. He didn’t forget the more important photograph.
Those accustomed to being photographed know how to flash a formulaic smile, as if preserved in a mold. But Beom-jun didn’t smile. He wasn’t here for this pretense.
His attention lay elsewhere. He’d taken the trouble to appear at this facade-laden event because there was someone he needed to meet.
‘Let’s see—where might the Commander’s superior be seated?’
The hot-tempered Commander was unpredictable.
So targeting the Commander’s superior instead would be the easier path. If he had a connection with that person, the Commander would be far easier to handle.
Descending from the stage, Beom-jun narrowed his eyes and surveyed his surroundings.
High-ranking Ministry of National Defense officials wear military uniforms, unlike other departments. No expensive suit could be more precious than the insignia on one’s shoulder.
Beom-jun spotted a cluster of military personnel in the far left corner of the expansive banquet hall and made his way down from the stage.
‘If I could just use the Superior Lens right there, it would be perfect—but I have no excuse to go over.’
The Superior Lens allowed him to see the traits of all individuals within a one-meter radius, so used properly, it would be an excellent opportunity.
Hmm, Beom-jun looked around for a plausible reason when someone approached and greeted him as an acquaintance.
“Hey, Director Choi. Congratulations. I hear you’re managing Korean University Hospital quite well these days? The rumors are all over the place.”
As Beom-jun warmly welcomed the man extending his hand first, he used Ventriloquism to speak to Jae-gyeong, who was standing behind his shoulder.
“Who is this? Do I know him?”
He’d been effectively using the excuse that his memory hadn’t returned since waking up in the ICU.
Jae-gyeong whispered softly to Beom-jun.
“It’s the Former Minister of Health and Welfare, sir. He’s your medical school senior. He graduated from Korea Medical University.”
Oh, what a connection to have! For the first time, the original director had proven useful.
Beom-jun accepted the handshake with both hands, mimicking the director from Doctor X. His demeanor was impeccably respectful.
“Senior, how have you been?”
This was probably the tone—the original director was someone who wavered in the face of power.
“That’s right, I watched your video. The Chairman was quite impressed by it. And now I hear you’ve gotten involved with the Ministry of National Defense.”
It seemed the man knew the Chairman as well. Beom-jun found this somewhat surprising. The Chairman, who’d pressured the vice director, apparently praised Beom-jun behind his back.
‘What a cunning old man. I can’t figure out what he’s up to.’
“It’s turned out quite interestingly. To become director at such a young age—you’ve got a bright future ahead.”
The man before him, who had completed his term as Minister of Health and Welfare two years ago, appeared to be in his late fifties. His bearing was dignified, and he made no attempt to hide his fondness for Beom-jun.
Whether it was because the original director had treated him well, or because the current Beom-jun seemed useful, was unclear. In truth, it didn’t matter.
Beom-jun found him reminiscent of his professor colleagues from his previous life. At that age, there was nowhere higher to climb. So they’d discover promising young people, introduce them around, and boast about them as their protégés.
It was their way of ensuring their names weren’t forgotten and maintaining influence in their field.
‘Is that really exploitation if I benefit too?’
For Beom-jun, using this man to establish himself in this world was a worthwhile trade.

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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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