Chapter 41, Chapter 4: The Knot (1)

The symptoms that Park Jung-hoon described to me seemed quite serious.

The pain felt like being cut by a box cutter across the chest, which could be related to acute heart conditions like myocardial infarction or aortic dissection.

However, I was surprisingly not worried or anxious.

Although I hadn't conducted a detailed medical history yet, I had a hunch.

"Recently, my chest has been hurting a lot, making me feel uneasy. I was thinking of going to a big hospital's cardiology department next week."

Park Jung-hoon's face darkened as he described his symptoms.

Given the mental and physical torment from Shim Byung-soo, he must have been very afraid.

I couldn't help but understand his feelings.

"Does the chest pain usually appear about 1-2 hours after eating?"

"Um... now that you mention it, it does seem that way."

"It also feels like something is stuck in your throat, making you feel suffocated."

"Right. How did you know that?"

As I accurately described Park Jung-hoon's symptoms, he widened his eyes in amazement.

"There's no need to go to a big hospital. Just visit a local internal medicine clinic."

"A local clinic? Can they even do heart examinations in the neighborhood?"

"Local clinics can perform ECGs. But that's ultimately meaningless because you don't have a heart condition."

I stated firmly.

Many patients who experience chest pain usually visit cardiology or thoracic surgery departments first.

They mistakenly think that chest pain is caused by heart problems.

But that's far from the truth.

About 80% of patients with chest pain actually suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastritis.

This is because the esophagus and stomach are close to the heart.

They mistake digestive system issues for heart problems.

Especially for patients under 40 who complain of chest pain.

The likelihood that the cause of chest pain is a digestive system issue is high.

So, what is my conclusion?

Park Jung-hoon is suffering from a digestive system issue, not a heart condition.

The stress from Shim Byung-soo's harassment has likely caused a gastrointestinal disorder.

That is definitely the cause of the chest pain.

At 10, it's too young to have a heart condition.

To reiterate, Kim Yo-han was an extremely rare case.

"Um... now that you mention it, it does sound plausible."

After hearing my explanation, Park Jung-hoon nodded.

"Shouldn't you be a doctor already? You even gave me emergency treatment when I couldn't breathe in class last time."

"That's because I studied it separately."

I shrugged and muttered to myself.

After all, thoracic surgery clinics can't even open, and even if they do, they can't make money.

How many people have seen a thoracic surgery clinic among the many clinics in busy areas?

Probably not even one in a hundred.

Has anyone ever thought about why thoracic surgery clinics don't exist among the many medical specialties?

Probably not.

Thoracic surgeons can't actually perform surgeries if they open a clinic.

Surgery requires expensive equipment and specialized personnel.

So, there's no need for patients to visit a thoracic surgery clinic that can't perform surgeries.

It's better to go to a cardiology or internal medicine department.

A specialty that, whether you live or die, you have to rely on university hospitals.

A specialty that, even if you leave the university hospital, you can't even open a clinic.

A difficult specialty that doesn't pay well, leading to a decrease in applicants and a continuous exodus of those who stay.

That is the harsh reality of thoracic surgery.

"But, do you plan to specialize in thoracic surgery when you graduate from medical school? I've heard a lot about it... Isn't thoracic surgery very difficult?"

"Still, I want to. No, I have to."

I answered with a solemn expression.

My goal is not to take an untrodden path like in Frost's poem.

It is to walk the path I've already taken and make up for the mistakes and regrets of the past.

"......"

"......"

Breaking the silence, I shared a piece of information with Park Jung-hoon.

A method to distinguish between specialists and general practitioners by the clinic's sign.

For example, if the sign reads "00 Dermatology Clinic," the clinic is run by a dermatology specialist.

If it reads "00 Clinic, Treatment: Dermatology," it is run by a general practitioner.

Being a general practitioner doesn't mean they lack skills.

It's beneficial to know who is treating you.

After finishing my conversation with Park Jung-hoon, I left the bakery and started walking.

My steps were light because the day to deliver justice to the thorn in my side, Shim Byung-soo, was near.

* * *

After the fourth period, lunchtime arrived.

Shim Byung-soo and his close delinquent friends headed to the school rooftop.

His lunch menu was a special treat from Park Jung-hoon, who would soon bring food from the cafeteria.

"Byung-soo."

"What?"

"Isn't Im Jeong-hoon a bit thick-skinned lately? Wouldn't it be better to bully Im Jeong-hoon instead of Park Jung-hoon?"

His right-hand man, Son Tae-ho, gave a piece of advice.

Shim Byung-soo had also thought about what Son Tae-ho suggested.

Shim Byung-soo found Im Jeong-hoon more annoying than Park Jung-hoon.

Im Jeong-hoon was the only person in school who was better than Shim Byung-soo and constantly irritated him.

However, messing with Im Jeong-hoon was too risky.

Im Jeong-hoon is a well-known figure in the school.

If something happens to Im Jeong-hoon, not only the homeroom teacher but also other teachers won't let it go.

Moreover, Im Jeong-hoon's eyes seemed dangerous.

If he tried to harm him, he might get hurt in return.

So, dealing with Im Jeong-hoon directly should be a last resort.

"Are you avoiding me because I'm dirty or because you're scared? Just remember that."

"It's just my opinion."

While chatting with the delinquents, Park Jung-hoon stumbled up to the rooftop.

Despite the recent harassment, Park Jung-hoon, who had been gasping for breath and in pain, didn't feel any guilt from Shim Byung-soo.

Who told him to stick with Im Jeong-hoon?

If he had just gone along with me until graduation, he wouldn't have had any problems.

"Isn't it a bit much to give you 1000 won and ask you to buy 4 breads and 4 milks? I don't have much pocket money either."

Shim Byung-soo glared at Park Jung-hoon, who was speaking out of turn.

What is this kid saying?

Hasn't he learned his lesson even after being bullied?

"Hey, are you crazy?"

"No, it's the truth. Your family is much better off than mine..."

"Ha... Look at this ridiculous kid?"

Shim Byung-soo stood up and approached Park Jung-hoon.

However, Park Jung-hoon's eyes were not the usual meek and defeated ones.

They were filled with a certain kind of venom, and it almost seemed like he was deliberately provoking him.

"Do as you're told. Why so many words? Are you getting a big head?"

Shim Byung-soo pressed Park Jung-hoon's chest with his index finger, incredulously.

"Why, are you going to burn my wrist with a cigarette again?"

"Can't I do it again if I did it once?"

"You're really despicable. It's a shame that the teachers don't know your true nature."

"Let me see this mouthy kid."

Zzzap!

Unable to control his temper, Shim Byung-soo slapped Park Jung-hoon's cheek.

Park Jung-hoon's upper body swayed helplessly like a reed.

Still, Shim Byung-soo wasn't satisfied.

He even felt a bit of fear.

This wasn't the obedient Park Jung-hoon he knew.

What is this kid relying on to speak out?

Did he eat something bad?

"If you act up again, you'll really die. It ruins my appetite, so get lost."

Park Jung-hoon, whose cheek was swollen and red, soon left the rooftop.

"Son Tae-ho, after class, you deal with that kid again. He's gotten too arrogant after getting scolded by a teacher."

"Sure, that's not a problem."

After giving the order to Son Tae-ho, Shim Byung-soo sat on the ground and started eating the bread and milk.

Unbeknownst to him, a camcorder was recording his actions in the storage room behind the rooftop.

* * *

"Jung-hoon, I'm sorry and thank you for your hard work."

"I just did what I usually do, no big deal."

"It's not easy. Here, hold this."

I handed Park Jung-hoon an ice pack I had obtained from the infirmary.

Cold compresses constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

For acute conditions, cold compresses are used, while for chronic conditions, warm compresses are used.

About 30 minutes ago.

I set out with Park Jung-hoon to gather evidence that Shim Byung-soo was a school bully.

The plan went smoothly, even better than expected.

The audio quality of the recorder was clear and distinct.

Anyone who knew Shim Byung-soo could immediately recognize his voice.

The recorded content included Shim Byung-soo burning Park Jung-hoon's wrist with a cigarette and evidence that the bullying had been ongoing for a long time.

The camcorder footage was also flawless.

Thanks to the optimal shooting position, Shim Byung-soo and the delinquents' faces were clearly captured.

After reviewing the recordings, I nodded in satisfaction.

This was enough to deal with Shim Byung-soo.

I put the verified evidence back into my bag.

At a secluded area near the school's back gate.

The only students here were Park Jung-hoon and I.

Most students were resting in their classrooms or engaging in physical activities on the playground after lunch.

"Let's sit and rest a bit."

"Sure."

I sat on a nearby bench with Park Jung-hoon and sighed.

Shim Byung-soo's corruption, which didn't exist in my previous life.

And Park Jung-hoon, who suffered terrible bullying because of it.

Although an unexpected event occurred, I was handling it wisely and skillfully.

I was no longer a half-baked person who could only overcome events I had experienced in my previous life.

I had matured into someone who could handle unexpected events.

However, I didn't think I was achieving all this because I was exceptional.

I believed I could do this because I had the opportunity of regression, which others didn't have.

I looked up at the blue sky and lost myself in thought.

If the Shim Byung-soo incident is resolved well, there shouldn't be any major problems for a while.

Now, all that's left is to do well on the college entrance exam and get into medical school.

Thinking about the first step towards becoming an excellent thoracic surgeon, my heart raced.

How long had I been waiting for this day since I was one year old?

"Jeong-hoon."

"Yeah? What is it?"

"But what will happen to us from now on?"

"We need to hand over the evidence we gathered today to a lawyer. We'll file a lawsuit and officially report it to the school, and we'll also hold a school violence committee meeting."

While explaining, I remembered an important task I had forgotten and picked up my phone.

"Hello, I'm sorry to call you suddenly. Is it okay to talk?"

-......

"I have some information I want to share with you. Would it be okay to meet separately?"

-......

"Yes, yes. Thank you."

After hanging up, I smiled broadly.

I had just finished a call with the journalist who had covered and interviewed the incident where I resuscitated Kim Yo-han with CPR.

Why?

Obviously, to make Shim Byung-soo suffer even more.

If the media gets involved, Shim Byung-soo will suffer even more from this incident.

Since I had regressed, I was quite serious about revenge.

Half-hearted or lukewarm revenge couldn't satisfy my boiling desire for revenge.

Kang Tae-sub, you're next.