Chapter 4: Genius? (1)

"Already want to be a primary doctor?"

Department Head of Internal Medicine, Shin Hyuntae, looked down at Suhyuk with a rather troubled expression.

Since waking up, Suhyuk had shown an incredibly fast recovery rate.

It had been almost five days since he was moved to a general ward, and it was about time to consider his discharge.

- No abnormalities in the tests.

- There was something embedded in his head, but it seems only observation is needed.

The neurology and neurosurgery departments had also sent similar opinions.

However, it was still somewhat unsettling to immediately put him back to work.

'How many books has this lunatic read during this time...'

Shin Hyuntae's gaze naturally shifted to the pile of books next to Suhyuk's bed.

There were not only internal medicine textbooks but also case collections and papers published by the internal medicine department over the past four years.

The amount of textbooks alone was staggering, and the case collections were almost at the level of textbooks, being published by Taehwa Medical Center.

It seemed he had invested all his time in reading books except for eating and sleeping.

Is it normal for someone who nearly died to show such behavior?

Neither the director nor the department head thought so.

- If he wants something, just give it to him. If he goes off the deep end, it'll be the end, you know?

The director, Lee Hyunjong, who was also from the internal medicine department and a respected senior, had told the department head this.

The department head recalled these words and looked at Suhyuk.

Suhyuk met the department head's gaze with some difficulty.

[Experience is needed. Suhyuk knows nothing and can do nothing.]

This was because Baruda had started demanding more than just studying.

'I understand, I understand, so please be quiet.'

[If I'm quiet, you won't listen.]

'Ah...’

Suhyuk shook his head slightly and then spoke.

"Yes, Professor. I want to be a primary doctor right away."

"You can take more rest."

"No, I'm fine."

As he said this, Suhyuk stood up and hopped on one foot.

Although he couldn't use his left foot at all, he could walk without much difficulty using his right foot and a cane.

'It seems he's not in his right mind...'

But if he didn't listen to him now, who knows what this guy might do.

He might even post on social media that he's being held captive in the hospital.

'That can't happen. Well... if I keep an eye on him, nothing will go wrong.'

So, the department head, with a reluctant expression, nodded.

"Alright, then you'll start with the afternoon rounds."

"Ah, thank you. I'll get ready right away."

"No, no. Don't rush. We'll see you in the afternoon."

"Yes, Professor. Thank you."

"Alright, see you later."

Shin Hyuntae bowed his head and quickly left Suhyuk's room as if fleeing.

Then, the director, who had been hiding in the corridor, approached like a mouse and asked.

He usually looked so cool, but now he just seemed annoying.

"What? Did you talk about compensation? Did you mention the fundraising? I donated 30 million won this time. Really."

Shin Hyuntae thought it might have been better to talk about money.

Then he wouldn't have to worry about whether Suhyuk was crazy or not.

While thinking this, Shin Hyuntae turned to the director and shook his head.

"No. He wants to be a primary doctor right away."

"Doing... work?"

"Yes."

"He's really crazy. Didn't you tell him we can give him a leave for three months?"

"I did, but he's still like this. You haven't seen him yet, right? He's really strange. It's scary."

Shin Hyuntae shuddered and looked back at the room.

Director Lee Hyunjong, who had never seen the department head act this way, hid even deeper.

"What are you doing?"

"He's crazy. I still have a long way to go in my term as director."

"Is that what you're saying? I'm now in charge of making him a primary doctor."

"You have to take responsibility! If something happens with another professor, will you take the blame?"

"Ha..."

A deep sigh escaped Shin Hyuntae's lips.

"Haaa..."

A similar sigh was also escaping from Suhyuk's mouth.

[Oxygen saturation is normal. Breathing is also sufficient.]

'I'm depressed! I'm depressed!'

When the department head first mentioned the three-month leave, Suhyuk had honestly felt good.

It might seem strange to feel this way after losing the use of one leg, but anyone who had done internships would understand.

The first year of residency was even harder than being an intern.

So, the idea of taking three months off was quite appealing.

[Is it so unfair to be a doctor seeing patients?]

Of course, Baruda's perspective was completely different.

'Don't talk like that.'

[Then be happy.]

'Using commands for emotions isn't right...'

[Oh. I will keep that in mind.]

'What does "oh" mean?'

[It's an expression of surprise at something Suhyuk knows but I don't.]

'Explaining it in detail just makes me angrier.'

Suhyuk shook his head and looked at the clock.

'2 PM. Three hours left.'

Internal medicine afternoon rounds usually start at 5 PM.

On days when the professor has outpatient clinics, it might start a bit later.

As far as Suhyuk knew, the department head's outpatient clinic was not on Fridays.

[What are you doing?]

Baruda asked as Suhyuk got up.

Suhyuk put on a doctor's coat and replied.

'I need to prepare for the rounds. Since I decided to do it, I need to do it properly.'

[Oh.]

'Please stop saying that.'

[Your emotions are too agitated. I will not consider your opinion now.]

'No, this guy is really...'

Despite using polite language, it was surprising how much he could irritate Suhyuk.

Continuing his sigh, Suhyuk walked down the corridor to the ward station.

He saw two tall figures hiding in a corner but decided to ignore them.

Just dealing with Baruda's nagging was already difficult enough.

Tap.

Tap.

Moreover, using a cane, which he had never used before, was not easy.

'Fortunately, with the full waiver of medical expenses... and a single dormitory room, it's manageable.'

Thanks to the director's efforts, the alumni association had also deposited a consolation payment of nearly 100 million won to Suhyuk.

While it might not be much to others,

it was a huge help to Suhyuk, who was an orphan.

'Hmm.'

Suhyuk sat in front of the computer at the station and began reviewing the patients under Shin Hyuntae's care.

'Twelve. Quite a few.'

As a department head, he had two residents assigned to him, excluding Suhyuk.

Four second-year residents and eight first-year residents were in charge of the patients.

[Recommend patients Park Kitae and Kim Jincheol.]

After a while, Baruda spoke up as Suhyuk was reviewing the patients.

'Why?'

[The others have a diagnosis and are undergoing treatment. There's no practice.]

'I need to practice treatment too, right?'

[Understood. Then recommend patients Yoo Yoon and Bujeong.]

'Why these?'

[They are being discharged tomorrow.]

'This guy doesn't know the middle ground. I need to know everything to decide who to assign.'

Suhyuk said this and began reading the patients' admission records, progress notes, and test results carefully.

There was no need to memorize them.

Baruda was storing the data neatly.

This was one of the good things about having Baruda.

'Other than that...'

He was determined to extract this data later when he could.

If it weren't for the neurosurgery professor Choi Nakpil's statement, "If you operate now, you might die too," he would have considered a reoperation.

"A, you're already here."

As he was reviewing the computer, Department Head Shin Hyuntae approached and greeted him.

Although his expression was somewhat reluctant.

"A, Professor."

"Right... the others... they're coming over there."

The department head pointed to his two primary doctors walking down the ward corridor.

"Let's start with the rounds and then discuss how to redistribute the patients."

As soon as the two primary doctors joined, he headed to the nearest room and said.

Everyone, including Suhyuk, nodded and followed.

They didn't rush into the room.

The primary doctor in charge of the patient in the room would first give a brief summary before they entered.

It went like this.

"Patient Park Kitae was admitted through the emergency room yesterday due to a fever of unknown cause. Test results show CRP 6.1 and ESR 24, which are significantly elevated. Currently, he has non-specific symptoms such as coughing and phlegm, but no other specific symptoms."

"Is it the flu?"

"The test this morning was negative."

"Hmm."

Since it was a difficult case, a second-year resident was in charge, and his response was clear.

"What's your impression (suspected diagnosis)?"

"Well, it's still undiagnosed fever."

But he couldn't diagnose it yet.

Shin Hyuntae didn't show any disappointment.

How could a patient admitted through the emergency room the day before be diagnosed immediately?

He was just a resident, not a professor.

So, instead of scolding him, he turned to the other first-year residents, Yoo Jisang and Suhyuk, and asked.

"What do you think?"

His voice clearly lacked any expectation.

"I don't know."

As expected, Yoo Jisang shook his head.

Even if he knew, he would probably pretend not to.

He wasn't the type to claim he knew something the second-year resident didn't.

There was a rumor that he should have been a politician, not a doctor.

"You?"

The department head nodded, as if he had expected this, and looked at Suhyuk.

Suhyuk, as if he had been waiting for it, also said he didn't know.

Or rather, he intended to.

"I know. What?"

[Suhyuk doesn't know, but Baruda does.]

If Baruda hadn't butted in and said this, the department head's expression would have been even more peculiar.

'So, he's really crazy.'

It wasn't that he thought Suhyuk really knew the answer.

How could a first-year resident know a diagnosis that even the department head was only guessing?

Especially someone who had been in bed until today.

'I need to give him more money and send him away...'

With this rather serious resolve, the department head asked Suhyuk.

"What is it? You're not joking, right?"

Suhyuk, of course, couldn't answer immediately.

He knew nothing.

'Shit.'

[Don't worry. Just follow what I say.]