Chapter 22
This was Elmolrans Hospital, the world-famous university-affiliated medical center. It was the mecca of medicine, gathering only the top experts in each field among those with medical aptitudes. There was even a saying that if Elmolrans couldn't cure you, it was time to give up cleanly! The facilities were top-notch, but the name value was murderously expensive, so commoners like me couldn't even dream of it.
In other words, "Whoa..." Even though it wasn't far from my neighborhood, this was my first time here.
'Is this the future?'
Machines at the entrance sprayed liquid like humidifiers, disinfecting visitors and patients. Whirrr— Robots assisting doctors and nurses or cleaning were a common sight... But if that was all, I wouldn't have been so surprised.
Beep!
"Healthy!"
In the brief moment passing through the entrance, it scanned my health and announced the result! Was this even possible? I couldn't believe it, including the test result.
'I'm healthy?'
I looked like a severe malnutrition case with bones showing. I eyed others' results suspiciously.
"Healthy!"
"Healthy!"
"Low blood pressure!"
"Healthy!"
"Elevated temperature!"
"Healthy!"
…
'Hmm... It can only do basic checks.'
Still, it was amazing. Just passing through one door like entering a department store.
As I marveled at these sci-fi gadgets I'd never seen, "Hyung! Over here!" Choi Kang-hun, already familiar with the hospital, had finished check-in and called me.
"Coming."
"Room 1906."
"So, 19th floor?"
"Yeah!"
Was it obvious? The floor guide by the elevators showed the 18th and 19th floors as VIP wards.
"I hope hyung gets better soon and helps with Dad's work."
"Why?"
"This job's no fun for me. I can't do it."
"Well..."
How many people truly enjoy their aptitude-matched jobs purely? Still, I listened quietly. There was more to it.
"Everyone at work keeps comparing me to hyung. Like, 'Back in the day, your brother was like this.'"
"That's on the adults."
I had no siblings, but few things stressed people out like comparisons.
"That's why I thought, this isn't for me. Not my aptitude."
"Yeah..."
"Moon-soo hyung. Please treat him."
"Don't expect much. I've never treated anyone."
"Okay. Even if you can't, it's fine. I just wanted you to come here with me."
"Glad to hear that."
Ding! Rumble—
Using the VIP-only elevator, we shot up to the 19th floor and walked the bustling hallway.
'Wow!'
Politicians, celebrities, singers—people I'd only seen on TV—wandered like civilians, here for treatment or visits. Red warning signs plastered obvious walls:
"No interviews"
"No filming"
"No autograph sessions"
…
It felt like a sanctuary separated from the prying world. Proving it, no one minded the stares.
Finally, "Room 1906: Choi Kang-min."
We reached the room with our patient's name.
"Hold on."
Choi Kang-hun tapped the card key from check-in below the nameplate.
Beep!
The handle-less auto-door slid open smoothly, revealing the interior.
'Whoa!'
Choi Kang-min hyung had a vast, spotless room all to himself. Fridge, water purifier, desk, computer, TV, bathroom, humidifier, AC, plants, air purifier, sofa... All furnishings and facilities were luxury-grade, with emergency medical equipment lined up on one side.
And on the spacious bed that could fit three,
"Ah..."
A withered figure lay straight like a rotten tree stump.
I understood why the entrance scanner called me "healthy." Everything was relative.
Choi Kang-min hyung's state on the white bed was that dire.
'My god...'
His wrist, pocked with needle marks, had multiple IVs. His skull-thin face wore an oxygen mask. Because of that?
"That's hyung."
"...I see."
Even I, remembering his healthy past face, couldn't recognize him.
'He's alive, right...?'
Skin clinging to bones evoked an Egyptian mummy. You could believe he was already dead. Beep, beep, beep... The steady pulse monitor was the only proof he lived.
Then, beep! The auto-door opened again, admitting a woman in a crisp white coat.
"You're back, Choi Kang-hun."
She greeted him warmly.
"Hi! Doctor!"
"Good to see. Must be hard making time at your age, when you should be playing with friends."
"Hehe."
"Choi Kang-min must be jealous. Such a bright, kind little brother."
"No, no!"
I observed discreetly while they chatted, not to intrude. She was the doctor, as Kang-hun called her that. Fitting Elmolrans' world-class rep, she exuded intellect. Without medical help, early 30s? Wavy chestnut hair cascaded to her waist.
"And this is...?"
Finishing greetings, the doctor turned to me.
"Hi. I'm Kang Moon-soo. Longtime neighborhood hyung of Choi Kang-hun. I know the hyung in here too."
Not that close, though!
"Doctor! Moon-soo hyung isn't just any neighborhood guy. He's a shaman!"
"A shaman?"
The doctor's brows furrowed at Kang-hun's clueless addition.
"Ha, ha... Ignore it."
This kid and his mouth.
"I see. I'm Choi Kang-min's attending physician."
"Hi."
"Precise EEGs show he's in a very deep sleep."
"Got it."
"We've tried countless shamans to wake him. Some even nailed his body—insane stuff."
"Th-they did?"
Sweat trickled down my back as she explained.
'What lucky break.'
The clueless brother made things awkward.
"Physical external shocks won't wake Choi Kang-min. I trust your friend's word, so no big worries."
"Yes. No need. He won't do that."
"Still, as a precaution."
"Go ahead."
"As you see, his body's at its limit. Can't breathe without machines now. Even minor impact could kill him."
"Oh..."
Not distant to me, who'd lost a father.
"Touch him wrong, and it's manslaughter."
"Gasp!"
That was distant! Manslaughter. Terrifying just to imagine.
'Gotta stay put!'
That was the plan, but now I'd avoid even looking. Thanks for the advice, Doctor!
"Doctor! Moon-soo hyung isn't a fraud!"
Kang-hun flared up.
'Kid, why're you mad?'
The doctor pressed a finger to her lips calmly. "Shh! This is a hospital with patients. Speak softly. And I never called Kang Moon-soo a fraud. Just explaining as his doctor."
"Hyung's a real shaman with aptitude test for it...!"
But Kang-hun kept talking loud, undeterred.
"......"
"For real! I saw hyung's aptitude test sheet!"
"...Hold on, Choi Kang-hun."
"Yes."
Her expression shifted; no scolding, just a question.
"That aptitude test—is it P's?"
"Yes!"
"...Kang Moon-soo."
She eyed me like a fascinating specimen.
"No funny business!"
I preempted her. Manslaughter's no joke!
"Thanks for understanding. Not doubting your aptitude, but Choi Kang-min's too frail for intervention. Can't even operate."
"Nothing for it then. Hope for a miracle."
"Exactly. A miracle. I told your father, but time's short. Modern medicine gives 100 days max. No waking, and complications kill him."
"......"
Her blunt prognosis on a close friend's family member sobered us.
"Kang Moon-soo."
"Yes."
"Before leaving, care for a chat?"
"Uh... Sorry, can't today. Gotta unpack."
"Pity. Rest easy with Choi Kang-min. I'm off—busy."
Not pitying at all. The doctor left.
"So mean!"
"Who?"
"The doctor! Thought she was nice, but mocked hyung for being a shaman!"
"It's fine."
Advice out of concern for me. I'd take that mockery laughing 100 times.
"Hyung. Thanks for coming."
"No need. I came empty-handed."
Kang-hun helped with heavy moving boxes. Didn't mock my shabby one-room.
'That really touched me then...'
But I regretted promising help with anything. Hasty.
"Hyung."
"No treatment."
"I know. But leaving now feels off. Say hi at least."
"...Kang-min hyung. Long time. Hope you wake soon."
My honest wish. Losing family? Delay as long as possible.
* * *
"Kang-hun. That's enou—Huh?"
Turning after greeting, I was baffled.
'Where'd he go so fast? Did he drag me here then hit the bathroom?'
Rude if so.
"Kang-min hyung. Next chance, Kang-hun and I will—"
Glancing back, words failed. The patient was gone!
It happened in a blink.
"Kang-hun! Kang-hun!"
Shocked, I called heading to the bathroom. No knock—flung it open!
'Wh-what?!'
Even my assumed bathroom-goer was gone.
"No way..."
Denying it, I rushed to the door.
"Room 1906: "
'Gone!'
The patient's name slot was empty!
"What the..."
"Excuse me, looking for a patient's room?"
A passing nurse approached my confusion.
"Uh, yes."
"Patient's name?"
"Choi Kang-min."
"One moment."
Beep, beep— She fiddled with her trailing robot's screen.
"......"
I waited calmly.
"Sorry, no admitted patient named Choi Kang-min."
"N-no way..."
"Last visit: urology, 12 years ago."
"12 years...?"
"Yes. No recent records."
"......"
Her words deepened my confusion.
"Sir. 19th floor's VIP. Suspected unauthorized entry—I'll escort to first floor."
"...Okay."
Unfair since I came with Kang-hun, but I complied now.
'Huh?'
Someone's flying? Waiting for the elevator, peering out the window at the odd sight.
'Not the time!'
"Get down...!"
Crash!
Warning and dropping as nearby glass shattered.
"Eek?!"
"What?!"
Screams! Then an intruder's furious shout through the broken window.
"Magic Boy! You'll pay...!"
Crash!
Another window broke.
'No way... Jumped from this height?'
Denying, I rose cautiously. "Darn... Lost him again..."
"Huh? Kang-min hyung?"
I spotted Choi Kang-min in weird garb.
"...Wrong person."
Flutter~ But denying, his red cape billowed as he leaped out the broken window.
"Hmm..."
'Saw wrong?'
Matched my memory of healthy Choi Kang-min. But he was skin-and-bones...
"No way!"
Risking it, I leaned out.
Boom! Bang!
Two wingless, engineless men flew between buildings in pursuit. Impossible in reality!
That cleared my jumbled head instantly.
"Where am I?"
This wasn't the Earth I knew.