Surviving as a Rogue Hospital Director - Chapter 95

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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 95.
Eun Tae-gyeong, chairman of the Eunseong Group, extended his hand to Beom-jun in greeting.
Though they were meeting for the first time, they were the sort of people who knew of each other, so there was no need to exchange business cards. Beom-jun appeared in the press often enough himself.
In his early sixties, he had become chairman young—credited largely with having traveled the world in his youth, establishing Eunseong factories across the globe.
With solid manufacturing at its foundation, Eunseong had since expanded into every sector imaginable, and roughly a decade ago, opened Eunseong Hospital.
According to rumor, Eunseong Hospital was Eun Tae-gyeong’s personal project.
“Welcome. Thank you for coming all this way.”
Despite having been the one to summon him, Eun Tae-gyeong offered the courtesy with a smile.
He made a far better impression in person than on television. It was clear he wasn’t a conventionally handsome man with sharp features, but his expression was remarkably warm.
‘I’d expected someone worn down by a hard life, but he’s nothing like that at all.’
There was no trace of hardship in his bearing. His cheeks were notably full, and his round face appeared without a single line of strain.
“I hope you’re recovering well. I heard you suffered a serious accident.”
Eun Tae-gyeong had apparently looked into Beom-jun’s news coverage. Not that it mattered—what was clear was that he was disposed favorably toward Beom-jun.
“Yes. I’m well now, thank you for your concern.”
Beom-jun replied with a warm smile. He needed to establish good rapport with this man today.
When the chairman pressed him later, Eun Tae-gyeong would be the external force capable of supporting him.
With him on side, Beom-jun could certainly check any alliance between Han Myeong-jae and Eun Ji-hu.
Meanwhile, Im Sung-hyuk, who sat beside him, answered Beom-jun’s claim of health with candor.
“Well enough, but I worry—the director spares himself no rest.”
Eun Tae-gyeong’s attention shifted to Sung-hyuk at this.
He seemed to notice Sung-hyuk’s presence only now, perhaps having taken him for an attending secretary.
“Ah, and you are…?”
Eun Tae-gyeong, who had been treating Sung-hyuk as invisible until now, belated asked about him.
“Im Sung-hyuk, Professor of Thoracic Surgery. I’m also the attending physician for Eun Seo-young, and one of the leading physicians at Korean University Hospital. The timing worked out, so I came along—I hope that’s all right.”
At Beom-jun’s words, Eun Tae-gyeong seemed momentarily uncomfortable, but he could hardly ask the man to leave now that he was already here.
“If the director brought you, you must be trustworthy.”
He extended his hand to Sung-hyuk as he had to Beom-jun.
“A pleasure. Im Sung-hyuk.”
After the brief exchange, the three seated themselves around a table. Eun Tae-gyeong chose a seat facing Beom-jun rather than the head.
The table held light refreshments and coffee. Warm aroma rose from the cup—clearly expensive, clearly good.
“I’m ashamed not to have known of my daughter’s attending physician. Thank you for treating Seo-young so well.”
Eun Tae-gyeong spoke to Sung-hyuk. Beom-jun noticed a shift in Eun Tae-gyeong’s manner after he had personally introduced Sung-hyuk.
The man clearly distinguished between people and adjusted his treatment accordingly.
“I hear you even identified our family’s genetic condition. You’ve done remarkable work. I hardly know how to repay such kindness.”
“Ah, no—the genetic diagnosis was really thanks to the director’s assistance.”
Sung-hyuk fell easily into the flattery. The man had a gift for handling people.
Beom-jun cut short the cascade of praise.
“I’d like to hear why you asked to see me.”
There was clearly something confidential he wanted to discuss—that was why he’d been wary of Sung-hyuk’s presence.
Though his tone was blunt, Beom-jun was prepared to agree to whatever was asked. Accommodating the man’s wishes was how he’d build a solid relationship.
Going forward, Eunseong Hospital would engage in close exchange with Korean University Hospital, receiving transferred medical expertise, and paying considerable fees in the process.
‘Compared to what I was sent here to do, I’ll make tens of times more.’
Beom-jun could almost hear money pouring into Korean University Hospital’s coffers.
Eun Tae-gyeong laughed somewhat sheepishly and straightened in his seat.
“Ha, Director Choi Beom-jun. You’re quite direct.”
His demeanor grew serious. With the shift in his gaze, the warmth that had seemed so genuine deepened, revealing unexpected substance.
“I’ve been watching your work since your reinstatement with considerable interest. The video footage was routine enough, but your decision to cooperate with military hospitals—that genuinely impressed me.”
He referenced the work Beom-jun had done. There had been much after becoming Doctor X, but what Eun Tae-gyeong emphasized was notably connected to the hospital’s revenue.
“I see strong business acumen in you. Eunseong Hospital needs people like that. How would you feel about joining us? Director, or even Chairman if you prefer. Whatever terms you’d like, I’ll agree to them.”
Eun Tae-gyeong was offering exactly what Beom-jun had expected him to want to give.
When the chairman made his intent to recruit Beom-jun clear,
Sung-hyuk flinched, but Eun Tae-gyeong caught even that.
“Ah, Professor Im Sung-hyuk should come as well. It won’t make much difference to Eunseong Hospital if one more professor joins, after all.”
Just then, the status window that had been quiet appeared.
[Main Quest created.]
[Main Quest: Establish a Partnership.]
Eun Tae-gyeong has made you a recruitment offer. Use his goodwill to forge a partnership with Eunseong Hospital.
Reward: Survival Probability +3%
Failure: Death
Hearing Eun Tae-gyeong’s proposal, Beom-jun had felt tempted for a moment, but the quest dampened his hope.
‘I was thinking of just moving to Eunseong…’
In truth, if he went to Eunseong Hospital, he could put real distance between himself and Chairman Han Myeong-jae. Then wouldn’t the murder never happen in the first place, making it unnecessary to raise his survival probability?
[If Choi Beom-jun’s sphere of activity changes, system errors may occur.]
[If the system malfunctions, Survival Probability will reset.]
The moment Beom-jun expressed his internal complaint, the status window appeared as if to rebut him.
Lately it was reset this, reset that. And he’d worked so hard to raise his survival probability—did the system think it was easy?
As his discontent persisted, the status window that had appeared moments before surfaced again repeatedly.
[If Choi Beom-jun’s sphere of activity changes, system errors may occur.]
[If the system malfunctions, Survival Probability will reset.][If Choi Beom-jun’s sphere of activity changes, system errors may occur.]
[If the system malfunctions, Survival Probability will reset.]
‘All right, all right, I get it!’
When Beom-jun fell silent, Eun Tae-gyeong pressed again.
“Director Choi? I understand you’re doing well at Korean University Hospital, but Eunseong will be better. For one thing, there’s none of the office politics you’d deal with there.”
When Eun Tae-gyeong said “office politics,” he drew out the word with deliberate weight. He seemed to know that Chairman Han controlled everything at Korean University Hospital.
The hospital had only been open ten-odd years; there was no reason for entrenched factions to exist at Eunseong. They were still building their systems.
“I promise the finest treatment in the industry.”
Having finished speaking, Eun Tae-gyeong swallowed dryly.
“I can’t give you an answer right now. What exactly would you want me to do at Eunseong?”
Beom-jun gave a noncommittal answer while drawing out details from the man.
Whether Beom-jun went to Eunseong or stayed was beside the point. What he needed now was to establish a partnership with Eunseong Hospital.
“Beyond treatment fees, I’d like the hospital to generate ancillary revenue. When Eunseong Hospital was built, construction costs were enormous, and we’re currently carrying substantial debt. The Eunseong Group invests in the hospital, but additional revenue streams would be invaluable.”
“So the rumors about you building Eunseong Hospital are true.”
“You know even that? I’m embarrassed. Actually, I inherited the project my father had planned. Honestly, looking at the entire group, Eunseong Hospital is just bleeding money. Ha. But it’s my responsibility now, so I have to manage it.”
The rumor about Eun Tae-gyeong building Eunseong Hospital seemed half-true. Beom-jun knew the Eunseong Group was making ongoing investments in the hospital. It wasn’t particularly privileged information—it was the sort of thing people in the industry knew.
But the reason turned out to be more personal than expected. In the end, everything came down to what people chose to do.
‘Hmm, what to do…’
Beom-jun turned the problem over in his mind.
‘Is there any medical business at Eunseong that wouldn’t compete with Korean University Hospital?’
Nothing obvious came to mind. More than that, Eunseong’s medical capabilities were weak. They were still receiving training from Korean University Hospital under the pretext of dispatch, so what could they possibly do here?
As Beom-jun chose his words carefully, Sung-hyuk, sitting beside him, spoke up.
“If I may, it seems Eunseong Hospital isn’t at a stage where ancillary revenue should be a concern.”
‘Hm?’
Beom-jun was surprised to hear the usually taciturn Sung-hyuk volunteer information unasked. And then surprised again by the content.
“The reason a hospital exists is ultimately to treat patients. Healing patients and becoming a hospital where many seek care should come first.”
As Sung-hyuk spoke, the back of his neck flushed red.
‘Right, I nearly missed that.’
Beom-jun caught himself. In his rush to complete the quest, he’d overlooked the hospital’s fundamental purpose. Lately, without directly treating patients, he’d gradually drifted away from them.
In truth, Beom-jun’s ability to undertake medical enterprises existed only because Sung-hyuk was there.
Because he believed Sung-hyuk could treat patients well, he’d launched these ventures.
But at Eunseong? There was no one remotely like Im Sung-hyuk. Even looking at the staff sent on dispatch, the talent profile was thin. Besides Jung Da-eun, the information on the other physicians wasn’t particularly impressive.
And worse, there was no growth potential among them. These doctors didn’t even seem to have the desire to improve.
But Eun Tae-gyeong didn’t seem aware of Eunseong Hospital’s true state.
“You said Professor Im Sung-hyuk? You’re being too harsh.”
The fact that he said this much proved it. Honestly, this wasn’t the time to chase ancillary revenue. Building the hospital’s actual capabilities had to come first.
“If my words were excessive, I apologize, but I’m speaking based on what I’ve seen of Eunseong Hospital’s medical staff currently on dispatch. I may know nothing of management, but I hope Eunseong Hospital will improve its treatment and become a hospital patients choose to visit.”
Eun Tae-gyeong’s expression grew increasingly rigid as Sung-hyuk spoke.
‘Ugh, this is bad. If this meeting falls apart, when will we establish a partnership with Eunseong Hospital?’
At that moment, Beom-jun stepped in to mediate between them.
“Then, what if we tried this instead.”

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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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