RE: Player again

303

[Chapter 097] [People Who Don't Show It (2)]

Generally, students applying for supporter roles don't choose hospitals for their 3rd year high academy internship.

Though medicine and magic seemed similar, their structures were completely different.

Usually, hospitals had a lot of work, and they also severely discriminated against Player Academy graduates who hadn't professionally studied medicine.

Alice Hospital, known as one of the Big 5 domestically, had very arrogant doctors.

Among them, Noh Eun-a, a Player Academy graduate who recently entered as an intern, couldn't help but be the subject of attention.

Moreover, rumors even circulated that she was the hospital director's parachute appointment.

But she showed skills that could make even the arrogant doctors yield while doing her internship.

Considering her age, her skills deserved praise.

Moreover, she even had a cheerful personality and pretty face.

It could be said to be a natural progression for interns who hadn't properly gotten used to the hospital and residents with short careers to praise her like an idol.

Even some specialists praised her and compared her to students who had just graduated from medical school.

But there were bound to be people who didn't like her success.

"That intern who came in this time. You know, the academy graduate who boldly applied to our hospital without any fear..."

"Ah... yes."

"Her skills are decent but... it feels like she looks at me like I'm trash."

"...It must be your imagination."

"No, no, no. Do you not trust my intuition?"

3rd floor men's restroom of Alice Hospital.

Professor Kim from thoracic surgery opened his mouth to Professor Park from respiratory medicine who was using the urinal next to him while relieving himself.

As if without any emotion.

As if letting it flow like urine.

But Professor Park roughly guessed why Professor Kim, who wasn't close to him, was suddenly talking to him.

Politics wasn't just about what happens in meeting rooms.

The politics of those with power was carried out like this in daily life, without any hesitation in trampling on others.

"Professor Park, it seems you should make a decision soon too... about whose line to follow..." "...What line? My only wish is to save more people."

"Ah... people can't live long being that honest. Don't you know the saying that if water is too clear, fish can't live?"

Professor Kim was a person in the hospital director's line, and had that much power in the hospital.

On the other hand, Professor Park was a person suffering from an aversion to political life.

Thinking he would only get a headache if he got involved in political fights, he pretended not to understand what Professor Kim was saying.

Nevertheless, Professor Kim was persistent.

"That kid this time... I hear she's working under you?"

"...She came in as of yesterday."

"Your department must be busy being swamped with work even though you have a lot of talent..."

Professor Kim clicked his tongue and adjusted his pants.

Professor Park inwardly sighed.

It would be good to just let it pass, but it seemed Professor Kim had firmly marked Noh Eun-a.

It seemed he wouldn't be able to refuse with such a stubborn attitude.

Professor Park who had no power in the hospital ultimately had to listen to Professor Kim's words.

No matter how much he disliked politics, he had to preserve his own life.

"In your department... there are some borderline cases, right?"

"...Yes."

"Then have the newly entered intern take charge of them. It's not like there's much to do taking care of them anyway." "...I understand."

Patients judged to have no more hope.

Professor Kim was telling him to manage those who even doctors couldn't treat and only received painkillers.

To those who had just graduated from medical school, especially those who became doctors to save people, it could only be called a dirty scheme.

Even if they had no responsibility, they ultimately had to watch the death of patients they were put in charge of.

Watching over patients they were in charge of was painful even for experienced doctors.

There was no better way to torment newcomers.

"I heard the hospital director said to take good care of Intern Noh Eun-a... Is that okay?"

"I heard she's the friend of the granddaughter of an acquaintance of the hospital director... That's no different from being unacquainted."

Professor Kim snorted.

He was saying Noh Eun-a's connections were actually nothing.

Even though she was still an acquaintance of the hospital director.

Professor Kim who knew the hospital director's personality well continued speaking while washing his hands in flowing water.

"I'm not ignoring the hospital director's words. Shouldn't we work her hard once so people don't talk about her being a parachute appointment or whatever?"

"She's already proven her skills..."

"I'll have her work there for a while, then I'll bring her under me, so you don't need to worry too much." "...Yes."

Professor Park could clearly see Professor Kim's thoughts.

He intended to deliberately make things hard for Noh Eun-a, then comfort her himself to somehow win her heart.

It was truly in bad taste.

Professor Park standing in front of the mirror hardened his face.

Professor Kim who confirmed his face through the mirror laughed loudly and turned off the sink faucet.

"You're too pure, that's your problem."

Professor Kim who was shaking off the water on his hands rubbed those hands on Professor Park's shoulder.

"I have high expectations for you. We'll eat lunch together later, right?"

"...Alright."

Professor Park had no choice but to nod.

Only after Professor Kim left did Professor Park who was left alone suddenly sigh.

"People with wives and children..."

In fact, this was already the third request including Professor Kim.

He who splashed cold water on his face burst into laughter.

Noh Eun-a was already taking care of patients who were dying today or tomorrow.

And she had already healed several people.

Park Hye-rim's alias wasn't completely wrong.

☆

Park Hye-rim had said once before.

That there are more people who need to be saved than can be saved, and there are even more people who can't be saved.

That they would be dying somewhere in the world even as we speak.

'So Eun-a, don't be afraid of not being able to save. Don't try to take it all on by yourself.

The most outstanding supporter is one who definitely protects the people they want to protect.'

Death is always close by.

So don't fear death.

That was Park Hye-rim's teaching.

Eun-a who witnessed another patient's death today recollected her mind remembering her teaching.

It's okay, I'm okay.

It wasn't just dead people.

There were also people who regained their strength.

She didn't know how happy she was when those people said thank you.

Indeed, she thought she made the right decision to aspire to be a supporter.

So it's okay.

"Tired? Have some coffee."

"Ah, thanks unni."

Eun-a sitting in the 3rd floor lounge drank the coffee Im Do-hee handed her.

The coffee without a single sweetener was very bitter, enough to forget the fatigue accumulated over several days.

But she gulped down the cool coffee in one go to quench an inexplicable thirst.

"Ahh~!"

"Is this beer? Why are you drinking coffee like it's beer?"

"Hehe... I was thirsty..."

"Want another cup?" "No! I'm fine!"

Eun-a waved her hands refusing Im Do-hee's kindness.

The reason she could keep smiling while seeing many deaths was all thanks to Im Do-hee.

She who only seemed prickly had a personality that took good care of people.

"I'm not unaware of why your face is dark now, Eun-a, but you've done well just with that."

"...Do you think so?"

"Isn't it obvious? You made people the professors gave up on have hope and even regain their strength. When I saw your magic, I thought it was futile that I went to medical school. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt that way?"

"I was actually more envious of you, unni?" "Huh? Why me?"

"The people I can save with my magic are few... but you can save many more people with your power."

Eun-a fiddled with the paper cup.

She who smiled sheepishly recounted the parts she realized while interning.

"Healing magic can only increase the target's healing ability. When people are injured, there are ultimately limits to what a supporter can do."

"But you can treat emergency patients in no time, right? Modern medicine can't restore torn flesh to its original state in such a short time." "Supporters stimulate the target's healing ability through mana as a medium, while borrowing the healing ability the target possesses until death."

"Ugh, then I'll pass... That means skin aging could come faster if you're not careful, right?"

"And Hye-rim unni told me. People who can handle medical techniques can do both addition and subtraction, but supporters can basically only do addition." "Addition? Subtraction?" "Yes, unni."

At first, Eun-a couldn't understand the words like Im Do-hee.

But she vaguely realized what the limits of a supporter were while staying as an intern.

A supporter's healing magic was only about strengthening, reinforcing, and proliferating.

The work of cutting out and removing something was impossible with a supporter's magic.

"For example, in the case of cancer... simply put, cells keep proliferating, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." "If healing magic is used on a cancer patient, the cancer cells in the body would proliferate at a much faster rate. Because it's not easy to come up with a mechanism to cut out cancer cells that might be somewhere with magic." "...Wait. Not easy... does that mean if there was just a way to come up with the mechanism, cancer could be treated with magic?"

"Hmm... wouldn't it exist somewhere? There might be a supporter in the world who can understand the principle and implement it."

"Ah, it was good until then."

Im Do-hee who suddenly brightened her eyes just buried her body in the sofa.

Eun-a just smiled awkwardly.

If I could become such a person too...

Eun-a shook her head.

There was no way she could reach a truth her teacher couldn't reach.

So she could only hope.

To at least become a person with the power to protect Eun-ha.

That was the reason she decided to become a supporter.

"But we have time for lunch since it's the weekend. What will you do, Eun-a? My oppa said he's coming this way, want to eat lunch together?" "Wow! Unni, you had an oppa too?"

"Though he's a person who doesn't resemble me at all, he's my oppa." "Show me a picture later! I'm supposed to eat lunch with my younger brother today." "Younger brother? That Eun-ha kid you're always talking about? Just how cool is he that you show no interest in the guys who hit on you?"

"Come on, I'm not thinking about that kind of thing yet."

"Well, I'm sure you know what you're doing. But remember this." "What is it?" "Absolutely do not go near Professor Kim. You probably know by now too, but he's a person who likes to get handsy with women of lower rank than him."

Im Do-hee who stood up said.

Eun-a who was pointed at with a finger quickly nodded.

She also knew the rumors circulating in the hospital.

That Professor Kim who was said to be close to the hospital director was attempting s****l harassment using his position and authority.

"...Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Eun-a couldn't understand why they didn't report Professor Kim when she first heard that.

But she vaguely realized that the world is on the side of those who have as she did her internship.

She who had been standing in the position of those who have until now learned this after becoming an intern positioned at the bottom of the hospital.

Should I tell Ha-yang's grandfather?

Eun-a who sent off Im Do-hee soon fell into thought.

Maybe it's being nosy.

Because she was just an intern.

She couldn't just listen to one side either.

Perhaps as much as rumors are circulating, the higher-ups are aware but turning a blind eye.

At times like this... what would Eun-ha do?

Then she burst into laughter.

Eun-ha's actions were too obvious.

He would surely just pass by if it didn't become a problem for him.

Then should I do that too?

When she fell into thought again, a sound was heard coming into the lounge.

"...It's all thanks to the hospital director. Thanks to you, I'm staying quietly and comfortably."

"Hahaha, it's not good for your health if you only work. You should take walks like this in your spare time." "Yes, I'll keep that in mind. I'll tell the chairman well... huh?"

A tone that suddenly rose at the end.

Eun-a who was blankly lost in thought turned her head at that sound.

Soon her eyes widened.

"...Eun-a?" "...Summer unni?"

☆

"Then I'll go meet my younger sister for a moment. Please take care of Ha-yang." "Yes, I'll wait in the garden."

Eun-ha waved his hand to Im Do-hoon who was walking away turning his back.

Im Do-hoon who was an elementary school teacher last year became an exclusive Player for Alice Group after Ha-yang entered middle academy.

It was now an ambiguous relationship what to call him, but nevertheless Eun-ha was treating him as a teacher.

"But did Im Do-hoon teacher have a younger sister? Then does she wear glasses and have a blank face like him?"

"Hmm... I wonder. This is the first time I've heard teacher has a younger sister too. And she's a resident working here..."

Eun-ha and Ha-yang headed to the reception desk.

The two had asked Im Do-hoon in advance to arrange time for Eun-a to eat lunch.

Sure enough.

When Ha-yang's name was mentioned at the reception desk, the nurse was startled and bowed her head to the two.

The two gave bitter smiles.

"I'm sorry. For coming suddenly without saying anything..."

"Ah, no. You can come anytime. I'll call Intern Noh Eun-a."

The nurse speaking politely.

Ha-yang distributed snacks she brought just in case to the reception desk people.

Just then─

"─Huh? Aren't you Noh Eun-ha?"

"Huh?"

One of the nurses at the reception desk recognized Eun-ha.

Eun-ha whose name was called tilted his head at first.

It was someone he didn't know.

But it was someone he vaguely seemed to remember.

"Me, me, don't you know me!? You were hospitalized here before." "...Ah...! The unni who didn't seem like a nurse!"

"You brat!"

Eun-ha finally remembered.

When he was in 2nd year elementary school, he got into a fight with Italian Ambassador Zenko Mairon and was hospitalized.

At that time, Eun-ha who was hospitalized in the VIP room had chatted with a nurse to pass the boring time.

He still didn't remember her name though.

It would be rude to ask her name now, and even if she told him he probably wouldn't remember.

"But why are you here, unni? Weren't you in charge of VIPs?"

"Well... I was pushed out for having bad conduct."

The nurse speaking nonchalantly.

Looking back, she was always like that.

Thanks to that, she helped him spend his boring hospitalization.

"Come to think of it, is the seaweed soup still not tasty here?"

"Why? Want to eat it again? I think it's pretty tasty these days. If you really want to eat, want to have some seaweed soup in the nurses' lounge later? But you've grown much taller in the few years I haven't seen you? You've really become a man now?"

"Unni has become an ajumma now." "What? You brat?"

Eun-ha retorted to the nurse's words. Then he added he would eat the seaweed soup later if he had time.

Just then.

...Huh?

A strange sensation pricked the back of his neck.

Eun-ha turned around.

"Why?"

"It's nothing."

Ha-yang was smiling.

It must have been his imagination.

Eun-ha tried to wait for Eun-a while brushing off the goosebumps that rose on his arm for a moment.

But Eun-a he was waiting for kept not coming out, and a doctor smelling of cigarettes approached the reception desk.

"Is this a playground? Not doing your work and chatting with some kids?" """We're sorry!"""

"Geez... these people are completely out of it, really... Hey, but why are you kids inside the reception desk?"

"Professor Kim, that's..."

The doctor who entered the reception desk with hands in his pockets, trudging along.

The doctor who was scolding the nurses soon pointed fingers at Eun-ha and Ha-yang standing blankly.

What is this?

A face that strangely made him want to hit it.

Eun-ha stared with a blank gaze.

The doctor seemed to notice the meaning in his eyes and let out an incredulous laugh.

He was about to say something when─

"─We're very sorry for coming in carelessly. Eun-ha, let's go out for now."

Ha-yang pulled Eun-ha out before an unnecessary fight could break out.

The doctor glanced at him leaving the reception desk, then turned his gaze to the nurses as if losing interest.

But the doctor's hand reaching towards the nurse who had recognized Eun-ha was somehow strange.

"Nurse Shin. Are you going to keep doing this? Last time you turned the break room into a club, tried to fight with a patient... You must have played around a lot in the past?"

"...No. I didn't play around."

The hand that was patting her shoulder was slowly caressing her forearm.

Not stopping there, the sliding hand went lower─

"─What is this?"

"Huh?"

Eun-ha grabbed the doctor's wrist.

With furrowed brows.

"...What are you doing?"

Meanwhile, the doctor speaking as politely as possible after coming to his senses.

The doctor who forcefully swatted away his hand soon hardened his face.

"What did you just do?" "Haha... you're speaking informally now? Hey, what kind of bastard is this? Who do you know?"

"...He's Intern Noh Eun-a's younger brother."

When the doctor asked grinding his teeth, one of the nurses quietly added.

The doctor's face reddened with anger.

"Intern Noh Eun-a? Tsk... that Eun-a's younger brother has no manners either. But why is he at the hospital?"

"Intern Noh Eun-a and an appointment..."

"What did you just say about my noona?"

The doctor wasn't the only one who was angry.

Eun-ha who had been staring at the man also flared up.

The killing intent flowing from his body soon slowly crept over the doctor's body and tried to strangle his neck.

"How dare you raise your voice!?"

On the other hand, the doctor who sensed something dangerous raised his clenched fist following his instincts.

It was a foolish instinct.

He should have prostrated himself to survive.

But he foolishly rushed in.

However, his fist was already about to fall on Eun-ha, and the killing intent─

"─What are you doing right now?"

No anomaly occurred.

Ha-yang who suddenly appeared in front of Eun-ha deployed a barrier to protect the doctor.

But unfortunately, from afar it looked no different from the doctor trying to hit her.

"...Hmm..."

"Huh? What's wrong, oppa?"

The doctor could be said to be unlucky.

On one side, Im Do-hoon and a resident presumed to be his younger sister were walking over.

"Eun-ha?"

"...Ha-yang, why are you here?"

"......"

On the other side, an old doctor and a woman with striking looks along with Eun-a were walking over.

"...Professor Kim, what are you doing right now?"

"......"

The old man's voice clearly flustered.

Then the doctor with his fist blocked by the wall slowly turned his head like a scene from a horror movie.

Even though he would die if he turned around.

Nevertheless, the doctor's instincts were foolish enough to make a mistake.

"W-well, Director... this is..." "From the situation, it seems clear who was at fault, doesn't it?"

The doctor who was trying to make some excuse.

But the woman standing next to the old man cut off his words.

She who smiled at the hospital director─

"─To think I would see such a sight at a hospital I like, I'm a bit disappointed."

"......"

If there was a face with the soul gone, it would probably look like the hospital director's face.

The pale hospital director was just opening and closing his mouth blankly.

Regardless, she continued speaking.

"I firmly believe the wise hospital director will resolve this fairly."

The Fairy Im Ga-eul said.