Surviving as a Rogue Hospital Director - Chapter 54

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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 54.
“Actually, I’ve been preparing for the Fellowship Exam.”
Commendably, Min-ho said he was already preparing for the specialist exam.
“Since you didn’t mention it separately, Professor, I thought… maybe you didn’t like me. I figured I wouldn’t be able to do a fellowship at Korea University Hospital.”
At Min-ho’s words, Beom-jun shot Sung-hyuk a look.
‘You bastard, you’re making Min-ho worry about this?’
Under Beom-jun’s sharp gaze, Sung-hyuk faltered as he spoke.
“Well, I didn’t get a chance to mention it, you know?”
“No, not at all! I thought maybe you were just busy. I’m grateful you brought us along to the conference.”
Sung-hyuk touched the back of his head awkwardly, and Min-ho told him it was fine. Such a good kid, really.
“I’m the grateful one. Let’s do our best going forward.”
Sung-hyuk’s words were stilted, but Min-ho’s eyes overflowed with admiration.
When leaving Korea University Hospital seemed daunting, Min-ho had adapted so well he’d taken root here.
‘When I first met him, it looked like he’d bolt from the hospital any second.’
That was the detailed information he’d received when first meeting Min-ho. Once his hours exceeded thirty per week, his desire to quit had been overwhelming.
But now he would stay beside Im Sung-hyuk and protect Thoracic Surgery.
Beom-jun chuckled softly and tossed the remaining raw fish into his mouth.
A new Status Window appeared before his eyes.
[Thoracic Surgery Control Power has increased. : Level 4]
[Level 4: Will absolutely pull it off.]
Thoracic Surgery Control Power had risen another level, shifting from “give it a try first” to “will absolutely pull it off.”
* * *
After wrapping up the first round at the Raw Fish Restaurant, the group came to the Whiskey Bar.
“Woo, our director is the best.”
“Cheers!”
“To our director!”
Employees surrounded Beom-jun, their voices slurred with drink, shouting toasts.
‘Why isn’t anyone going home?’
Yet Beom-jun couldn’t leave either.
Tomorrow is the final day of the conference. The schedule calls for closing remarks in the morning, then heading back to Seoul.
‘Right, I need to register Jason as a Talent.’
A Hidden Quest had been set for Beom-jun. Completing it wasn’t necessary, but since it was offered, it made sense to finish it.
Beom-jun lingered near Jason. Just as Im Sung-hyuk had no interest beyond treatment, Jason knew nothing but research.
It was questionable whether he even had interests, much less what they might be.
Then the Cheonhui University Hospital Surgery Director approached during a moment when Beom-jun was alone.
After Jason’s successful presentation, the director had been refilling Beom-jun’s glass whenever he had the chance.
“I’m pleased to report good news to Cheonhui University Hospital. Our director will be quite surprised.”
The reverence that exceeded mere courtesy made Beom-jun uncomfortable. Hospital protocol had been the hardest thing to adapt to since joining Doctor X.
When everyone bent completely to accommodate a hospital director like him, it meant the other party revealed zero of themselves. Genuine conversation was impossible.
But for the director, this was probably his best approach. Beom-jun told him to relax but maintained a respectful distance instead.
Just then, Jason nearby came closer. Back in comfortable clothes after his presentation, he spoke while tousling his hair.
“Yeah. Not surprised, but shocked. Shocking news!”
Jason had been mixing English into his speech lately, but speaking in his native language, he didn’t struggle with conversation.
“Really? That shocking?”
While Beom-jun remained composed, Jason nodded vigorously, and Beom-jun spotted an opportunity to raise Jason’s Favorability.
“Our director is pretty rigid. He just wanted numbers.”
Jason said the Cheonhui University Hospital director always wanted numbers—tangible results.
It was easy enough to understand. Jason’s research had been conducted on the hospital’s own budget. Given that kind of investment, demanding results wasn’t unreasonable.
‘Honestly, I’d have done the same.’
But Beom-jun played dumb.
“No way—your hospital director lacks vision. No vision at all, right?”
“Yes! That’s my point.”
The Surgery Director didn’t add to Beom-jun’s words, but Jason clapped, saying he was exactly right—the same thoughts exactly.
Though he didn’t know who the Cheonhui University Hospital director was, surely he wouldn’t act petty over a bit of behind-the-scenes complaining. If no one criticized you to your face, that would be tyranny.
Beom-jun’s lips curved upward as he spoke to Jason.
“If things get tough, come to Korea University Hospital.”
“Ah, well, Director. That’s a bit….”
Half joke, half serious—uncertain which edge weighted heavier, the Surgery Director intervened.
But Jason’s excitement was louder. His face flushed from the drink, he practically glowed.
“Really? You said that!”
[Jason’s Favorability has increased by 1.]
Of course his Favorability rose too.
“Wow, Director, you’re… you’re serious?”
The Surgery Director stammered like the old Jason, his eyes twitching with surprise at the unexpected words.
He’d meant to build connections with Korea University Hospital, but instead he was losing talent. Beom-jun’s eyes narrowed slightly at the director’s words, then he nodded.
It would be difficult right now, but once he grew Thoracic Surgery at Korea University Hospital, having Jason handle research wouldn’t be a bad idea.
More than anything, Jason’s chemistry with Sung-hyuk was solid. Compatibility with existing staff was the most important factor in new hires.
Watching the director’s mouth fall half-open, Beom-jun looked at the newly appeared Status Window.
[Register as Talent? Yes / No]
Done. It’s definitely a yes.
Beom-jun’s eyes rolled, and he registered Jason as a Talent. At that moment, all of Jason’s research on intractable cardiac diseases was uploaded into Beom-jun’s mind.
“Ugh….”
A terrible headache seized Beom-jun as he pressed his temples. He’d taken AAP (Tylenol) earlier, but it wasn’t enough.
While sitting, Beom-jun swayed, and Sung-hyuk rushed over to grip the chair and stabilize it.
Everyone in the bar sobered up instantly and rushed to support him.
“I’ll get the AED! I saw one in the Hotel Lobby!!”
Min-ho was making a fuss about fetching the Automated External Defibrillator.
“You’re drunk right now.”
Sung-hyuk stopped him. Most importantly, you shouldn’t perform medical procedures while intoxicated.
“Then should I call 119!!”
Just then, having grasped all of Jason’s research, Beom-jun took his hands from his temples and spoke.
“Don’t make a fuss. People will think my heart stopped.”
“Are you alright?”
Having seen Beom-jun like this before, Sung-hyuk was worried sick, but he had to respect Beom-jun’s assurance that he was fine.
“Director, aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?”
“Are you okay?”
“You should really rest.”
“I’m fine, really. It’s nothing.”
To the barrage of words from those around him, Beom-jun waved dismissively.
[Hidden Quest completed.]
[Hidden Quest: Obtain Talent from another hospital]
[You have obtained ‘Favorability Potion (Intermediate)’ as a reward.]
[Name: Favorability Potion (Intermediate)
Effect: Target’s Favorability increases by 5.
Uses remaining: 1]

Beom-jun claimed he was fine and shut down the Status Windows. In his mind, he was already pondering where to use the Favorability Potion.
But watching him, the group couldn’t stop worrying.
‘What if he collapses like this?’
‘It’s possible. He’s been working constantly.’
The director’s schedule, which they’d watched for twenty-four hours, was every bit as grueling as Sung-hyuk’s.
Watching Beom-jun, they resolved to do their jobs well without burdening the director.
* * *
Thanks to Beom-jun’s insistent refusals, the gathering continued, but on the condition that he drink no more alcohol.
Beom-jun fingered his water glass. Rounded ice cubes tumbled across the surface.
The gathering was winding down.
‘What time is it now?’
Beom-jun checked the time. Nearly midnight.
Medical staff who’d witnessed life and death grew mentally resilient whether they wanted to or not, and rarely got drunk easily.
Understanding that, Beom-jun didn’t want to end this evening too hastily either.
Just then, a somewhat inebriated Conference Chairman approached the table where Korea University Hospital’s staff had gathered, specifically beside Beom-jun, holding a spoon backward.
He seemed to have something to tell Beom-jun, emboldened by alcohol.
“Ahem, everyone here has worked so hard. This chairman is absolutely delighted.”
Thumping his chest like an orangutan, he first congratulated himself on the successful conference.
“This year especially, I was truly thrilled to meet our Korea University Hospital Director here!”
A specialty that earned no money and only grueling hours.
The Korean Thoracic Surgery Society chairman had long deliberately turned a blind eye to public perception of Thoracic Surgery.
When juniors cursed it as passion pay, he had no rebuttal. When they asked to improve working conditions, he had nothing to offer.
Semi-coercive appeals to a doctor’s sense of duty, and
repeated pleas to think of patients despite everything—he was simply exhausted.
“I didn’t know you were in Thoracic Surgery too, Director.”
“I stepped back from practice some time ago, but yes.”
The chairman believed Beom-jun was in a similar position, wrestling with similar concerns.
“So much has changed over the years. More will change still. We in Thoracic Surgery, we don’t know how to proceed anymore. It’s not easy. Right?”
Speaking sardonically, bitterly, the chairman waited for Beom-jun’s response.
“Even as the world changes, we mustn’t lose what’s essential.”
Through this conference, Beom-jun had felt much. Watching Jason pursuing research with unclear applications and the chairman hoping for Thoracic Surgery’s revival.
Even if someone dismisses an unpopular specialty or points fingers at grueling shifts, there are still people holding the line. People searching for solutions, saying this can’t go on.
They chose to make their profession the work of handling life,
and swore to place patients above all else.
“I won’t forget what you said, Chairman. Through this change, patients must not suffer.”
Beom-jun extended his hand for a handshake,
and the chairman glimpsed hope in Beom-jun.
“Right. As it should be.”
Circumstances surrounding how we treat patients have become far more complex. But all the more reason we must return to our essence.
As another physician,
Beom-jun swore to himself never to lose that sincere care for patients.
* * *
Meanwhile, Han Myung-jae, Vice Chairman of Korea University Hospital, was monitoring Beom-jun’s movements.
It was due to news from the Busan Hospital Director. Reaching out after a long time, the Busan Hospital Director had shared an intriguing story about Choi Beom-jun.
“So that’s what happened. Colluding with Cheonhui University Hospital, no less.”
The director had suddenly taken leave—or so Han Myung-jae thought—but it turned out the director attended the conference. There, he assisted Cheonhui University Hospital’s research.
Everyone praised him, praised him, but the director overstepped.
The Vice Chairman harbored long-standing resentment toward rival Cheonhui University Hospital.
The two hospitals each observed the founding anniversary of Jejungwon, but on different dates.
Cheonhui University Hospital marked it on the day Allen established a hospital in Korea, while Korea University Hospital marked the day Jejungwon was designated a national hospital.
Since becoming Vice Chairman, Han Myung-jae had held grand anniversary ceremonies, but Cheonhui University Hospital pointedly held theirs a month later, creating an awkward situation.
And they’d repeated this petty rivalry every single year. This was clearly a provocation.
“Hmph. Ahem.”
The Vice Chairman exhaled sharply, his displeasure evident.
And yet the director assisted that Cheonhui University Hospital? Han Myung-jae had intended to use him effectively after earning his favor, but Director Choi had chosen the wrong direction entirely.
“Which conference is the director attending right now?”
“The Korean Thoracic Surgery Society conference, sir.”
At his secretary’s words, the Vice Chairman’s lips fell.
The Korean Thoracic Surgery Society was a group the Medical Rights Association had put under pressure. It had disrupted medical order by boasting about saving a few patients.
Just when he’d managed to suppress it,
this catfish was roiling the entire pond.
“This won’t do. Call the Vice Director.”
He summoned the Vice Director for the first time in ages. Her secretary, his confidant, raised her eyebrows slightly at the order before nodding.
“Right away, sir. I’ll bring her immediately.”

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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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