Surviving as a Rogue Hospital Director - Chapter 48

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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 48.
“Which society was it again?”
“The Korean Thoracic Surgery Association.”
Im Seong Hyuk corrected Beom Jun’s question with a precise answer.
This narrow country was home to medical societies of every conceivable stripe.
In thoracic surgery alone, there was the Korean Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Association, the Korean Thoracic Oncology Association, the Korean Cardiac Function Research Association, the Korean Cardiopulmonary Surgery Association, and more.
While one couldn’t possibly know what all of them actually did, multiple memberships were permitted and dual appointments were common, so in reality the actual membership was far smaller than the reported numbers suggested.
Those who loved wearing titles,
Those who built factions to gain power,
Those who collected credentials like stamps in a book,
Those who joined communities for the sense of belonging—they made up the majority.
Yet among them were a select few who dug into the heart of scholarship and produced results. Like pearls gleaming in ancient mud.
The academic conference could be said to be the flower of the society—where these individuals showcased their developed treatments and medical technologies.
And the person Beom Jun was waiting for would appear on the final day of the two-night, three-day conference. Carrying a treatment method that had never reached the public eye.
‘That treatment will become known through Im Seong Hyuk.’
The next patient to be admitted was a boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder. A case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
A disease where the heart muscle abnormally thickens—discovered when he suddenly collapsed during basketball.
What was shocking was that the boy’s younger sister and mother were suffering from the same condition.
‘It was hereditary.’
Those who didn’t engage in strenuous exercise lived with fatigue and shortness of breath as daily occurrences.
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were advised to maintain a low-sodium diet and engage only in low-intensity exercise, but how easy was that really?
As long as the possibility of sudden death existed, they carried a time bomb in their chests—peace of mind was impossible.
In Doctor X, Im Seong Hyuk, frustrated by the lack of appropriate treatment options, happened upon a paper. A Prospective Research study on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
There were broadly two types of research methodology:
Prospective Research, where one formulated a hypothesis—’If we do this, won’t the disease improve?’—and then observed what would unfold in the future,
And Retrospective Research, where one gathered existing treatment records and analyzed the past. ‘We treated it this way, and this is what happened.’
The paper on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy fell into the former category and was conducting experiments. Im Seong Hyuk’s vast volume of surgical data became the foundation that completed the research itself.
The problem was that because the paper and its author had virtually no recognition, it became known as though Im Seong Hyuk had developed the treatment.
The paper’s true author, believing their research had been stolen, began plotting revenge against Im Seong Hyuk—firmly convinced that he had systematically appropriated their treatment.
‘Well, Im Seong Hyuk has always been the type to attract misunderstandings. Perhaps it’s the protagonist’s fate.’
Im Seong Hyuk had clarified the matter several times, but unfortunately the other party refused to accept it. The patient recovered and was discharged safely, but Im Seong Hyuk began to doubt the treatment itself.
This episode would become one of the catalysts for his later becoming hospital director.
‘No, that won’t do. Im Seong Hyuk must focus solely on caring for patients!’
Beom Jun gazed at the Status Window that had appeared before him.
[Main Quest has been generated.]
[Main Quest: Nip the Seed of Vengeance in the Bud]
There is someone nearby who will harbor resentment toward Im Seong Hyuk. Find the source of the conflict and resolve it.
Reward: Survival Probability +3%
Failure: Death
The quest had appeared at just the right moment.
If there was someone to harbor resentment at this juncture, it would surely be the author of that paper.
Beom Jun now had an additional reason to attend the Korean Thoracic Surgery Association conference. It wasn’t just about recommending a Fellowship to Min Ho.
He had to find the target of Im Seong Hyuk’s future revenge and prevent unnecessary conflict.
* * *
Time passed. The following week,
The Korean Thoracic Surgery Association’s fall academic conference began. Beom Jun pushed open the hotel door at Gwangan-ri beachfront. These sorts of things were always held at hotels.
Behind him came Im Seong Hyuk, Min Ho, and Park Hyun Ji, the thoracic surgery Physician Assistant.
The hotel staff guided them courteously.
“Welcome to the Korean Thoracic Surgery Association’s fall academic conference. You’re from Korean University Hospital, correct? Here are your room keys and program booklets. You can complete registration confirmation at the grand hall.”
Rooms were assigned on floors other than the 1st-floor lobby and the 11th-floor grand hall.
“Looks like I’m on a different floor. See you in the lobby later.”
Park Hyun Ji, the Physician Assistant who had come with them, said this. She had actually been a central support figure for Im Seong Hyuk from the beginning of Doctor X. Though now that Min Ho had joined, that role had diminished somewhat.
PA—Physician Assistant—referred to a nurse who assisted in providing care. In terms of responsibilities, they occupied a position between doctor and nurse.
[Name: Park Hyun Ji / Position: PA Nurse]
Patient Care: ■■■■□
Clinical Support: ■■□□□
Medical Administration: ■■■■■
Internal Communication: ■■■□□
Growth Potential: Moderate
Affinity: 4
[She shows through action rather than words. Quick hands and reliable work.]
Beom Jun read the personnel information that appeared above her head.
True to the description, she possessed more aptitude for moving her body than speaking.
That’s probably why she worked so well with Im Seong Hyuk. She wouldn’t take hurt from his bluntness and simply got the job done.
What stood out particularly was her medical administration score.
Unlike her other abilities, medical administration was already maxed at five bars. This meant she was handling all the details surrounding Im Seong Hyuk’s patient care skillfully.
“Right, and Professor. About Ri Mu Seong’s patient—you need to use a different diagnostic code, don’t you?”
Park Hyun Ji followed Im Seong Hyuk and brought this to his attention.
When a nurse flagged something, it wasn’t merely asking the doctor for a solution. It also included corrections for the doctor’s oversight and suggestions worth double-checking.
“I used the one I always use. The code’s different?”
“That patient—insurance doesn’t cover it, so they decided to receive medical expenses as part of the local government welfare program. That’s why you need to use a different code. I’ll send you a text with the details.”
Administrative processing for patient Ri Mu Seong, who lacked health insurance, had apparently been complicated.
Before Im Seong Hyuk could even respond, his phone buzzed.
Im Seong Hyuk made a circle with his thumb and index finger, flashing an OK sign to her. The two had worked together long enough that many words weren’t necessary.
The fact that Im Seong Hyuk had asked to bring Park Hyun Ji on this business trip—rather than a vacation—was probably for this reason. He wouldn’t be unaware that she was also working hard.
“Alright, unpack and meet me in the lobby. Come down when you’re ready.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Yep!”
“Okay, sounds good!”
Beom Jun’s group dispersed, each responding in their own way.
***
Thirty minutes later.
“What’s taking so long?”
Beom Jun checked his wristwatch while standing to one side of the lobby. Everyone was running late—probably exploring their rooms.
Why did people always seem to stare at him like that?
From his deep-set eye sockets emanated a cool, imposing aura. At over 180 centimeters tall, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit from top to bottom, he was more than enough to turn the heads of passersby.
‘Is it because I’m standing here alone?’
He himself hadn’t noticed the reason.
– Korean Thoracic Surgery Association Fall Academic Conference
People who had been taking photos in front of the large banner and photo wall stopped posing for the camera to look at Beom Jun instead. Even the way he checked his watch seemed model-like.
Eventually, with nothing to do, Beom Jun headed toward the academic conference venue. Rather than standing idle, he needed to find the paper’s author as quickly as possible.
‘It’s about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It shouldn’t be hard to find.’
Beom Jun was confident. He knew the paper’s subject matter—that should be enough even without knowing the author’s name.
But this confidence stemmed from his unfamiliarity with the scale of the Korean Thoracic Surgery Association.
The moment he stepped into the grand hall entrance, a sigh escaped him.
“Wow, that’s something.”
Confronted with the massive grand hall, he frowned.
He wondered why they’d make such a production of an academic society. Wouldn’t a quiet afternoon of listening to a few presentations and leaving suffice?
He’d expected one or two lecture halls, but the conference used the entire two-floor space connected to the hotel lobby.
“Hello, may we help with registration?”
A conference staff member handed Beom Jun a program booklet.
Inside were densely packed schedules of lectures. There were five presentations scheduled simultaneously for each time slot.
“Session 1 is about to start. You can choose any of the five rooms, 1 through 5. Just so you know, the schedule stays like this for all three days.”
At her words, Beom Jun’s expression soured.
‘Here’s everything we prepared because we don’t know what you’ll like.’ Was that the idea? Like Coachella—lectures proceeded simultaneously and competitively.
This was turning out to be more tedious work than he’d anticipated.
‘I’ll have to check each one.’
Beom Jun wandered through the hotel, browsing lectures. Looking for anything remotely related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
“Director, you were here?”
At that moment, Im Seong Hyuk spotted Beom Jun and came over. Min Ho and Park Hyun Ji were with him.
The three of them were wearing colorful name tags around their necks after completing registration. Their hands were full of souvenirs. There were even photos. They must have been to a photo booth.
“They gave out portable power banks as souvenirs over there—they seem pretty nice. Good capacity for something portable! Want me to grab one for you, Director?”
Park Hyun Ji spoke to Beom Jun without formality. Min Ho also treated Beom Jun comfortably, but she took it further.
For the medical staff’s personalities to be written this way—the author of Doctor X was truly beyond comprehension.
“I’m fine. If you want more, take mine.”
“Oh, great! Thanks so much!”
At Beom Jun’s words, Park Hyun Ji headed toward the booth with relish, and Min Ho gave her a sidelong glance before following.
Watching the two of them with their backs turned, seemingly delighted as if they’d come to an amusement park, Im Seong Hyuk spoke up.
“It was good to come. The conference seems meaningful.”
“Right. These times matter too. You all need to recharge so you can pour energy into your patients.”
Left alone together, Beom Jun and Im Seong Hyuk continued their casual conversation.
“If Min Ho does the Fellowship, you can come back like this next year.”
“Ah, …yes.”
By mentioning Min Ho, Beom Jun reminded Im Seong Hyuk not to forget this trip’s mission.
Im Seong Hyuk’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the moment his gaze met Beom Jun’s, he looked away.
‘What’s so hard about bringing it up?’
Just as Beom Jun was growing puzzled by Im Seong Hyuk’s reaction, the Status Window appeared.
[Im Seong Hyuk’s emotions are being shared with you.]
‘What, he’s this nervous?’
For Beom Jun it was nothing, but Im Seong Hyuk was clearly anxious. Recommending a Fellowship seemed to be quite difficult for him.
Still, it was strange for this taciturn man to speak gently. In Doctor X, Im Seong Hyuk had always been strong and rough.
But now that Beom Jun was preventing him from coming to harm, Im Seong Hyuk had no opportunity to exercise his forceful leadership.
Just as Beom Jun was considering whether to exert his influence, Im Seong Hyuk took the initiative and spoke first.
“I’ll try to talk to him about it.”
From now on, Im Seong Hyuk would need to nurture his juniors with careful attention rather than carrying them forward by their collars.
It would be nice if he took care of himself that way too.
“That’s the way.”
Beom Jun made a circle with his thumb and index finger, flashing an OK sign to Im Seong Hyuk.

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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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