Chapter 149
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: First Day in Rome
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With such a tight travel schedule, there were tons of things I had to handle before departure.
Hwang Seoyeong booked the flights for me, but since she was the busy resident, it was only right that I took care of stuff like this with my free time!
First up, accommodations.
I messaged Chairman Rich's secretary with our flight details.
Having booked a Rome in, Paris out itinerary, I mentioned we'd need hotels to match, and he promptly assigned rooms without hesitation.
Plus, what I thought was just polite chit-chat turned out to be real—Chairman Rich was making time to join us.
He must be swamped, so maybe he had some other business?
Like wanting treatment for a friend or acquaintance.
It could just be dinner, but to be safe, I packed some acupuncture needles and essentials in my trunk.
Next, tourism plans and reservations.
I scoured the internet and quizzed travel-savvy folks around me about must-sees, piecing together an itinerary.
Luckily, Min Jeongeun offered to show me around Rome, but in Paris, I'd have to navigate public transport solo.
Finally, the most crucial: the clinic.
I posted notices about my vacation on the clinic's interior, elevator, and blog to ensure smooth operations without me.
For regulars, I urged them to see the other doctors in my absence and briefed Hwang Sanghun and Lee Areum on key points.
"Aigoo, don't worry and have a great trip! I'll keep an eye out for any funny business!"
Everyone was supportive since it was my first Europe trip.
One patient even handed over leftover euros to spend. I politely declined, of course.
"Take care of things. Call anytime, day or night, no matter what."
"Got it. Go have fun."
"I'll message right away if anything comes up, so no worries."
Having Hwang Sanghun and Seo Ina made me feel rock-solid.
Without them, I never would've dreamed of leaving the clinic for over a week.
Time flew as I wrapped up all the prep.
And just like that, travel day arrived.
'I'm really going to Europe!'
Back in college, I'd envy classmates chattering about their break adventures.
I preferred computer worlds over travel, but deep down, I'd always wanted to go at least once.
Proof was how quickly I'd jumped on this opportunity.
I took a domestic flight from Gimhae to Incheon Airport.
There, I'd meet Hwang Seoyeong and handle check-in together.
"Whoa, my heart's racing. It's been forever since I traveled. First time since China, right? Oh man!"
"Yeah. You haven't gone anywhere solo since?"
"Nope! Low seniority meant no time off! Ahh~! Schedules aligning like this is such a blessing!"
"I'm thrilled too."
Plenty of time left, so we hit the food court first.
I got a burger; she ordered doenjang jjigae.
"No Korean food for a week—starting with a burger?"
"A week's nothing."
But the moment those words left my mouth...
A weird sense of déjà vu hit me.
Like I'd said something similar and gone ages without Korean food...
Soon, the pager buzzed.
My fast-food burger came first. As I grabbed it, Hwang Seoyeong was glued to her phone, oblivious.
"Whatcha reading? Web novel?"
She wasn't big on web novels usually. She'd brush off my wuxia recs. Back then, I'd have grilled her excitedly.
But lately, Lee Areum kept trying small talk about wuxia—she'd read some—and cold sweat broke out.
"Yeah. Bought a few for the flight. Switched from webtoons; this one's super fun?"
"No movie?"
"Planned to, but it's so long, probably won't finish by landing."
I asked the title.
I don't read much fantasy, but her rec piqued my interest.
I skimmed the start.
'Ooh, rare proper fantasy?'
A knight's tale from rock bottom.
No regression, possession, reincarnation. Reeked of wars and court intrigue ahead.
Plus solid humor...
Perfect for the flight!
I bought and downloaded the full series like her.
"Won't be bored en route."
"Right? So addictive. I'm on chapter 40—catch up quick."
"Okie dokie."
On the plane, we devoured the novel nonstop.
Whoa, world-building's brutal. Protagonist's really suffering.
Dropped in that world? Disaster.
Chills crept up my arms for some reason.
'Ugh, it's fine! I'm in Korea—I'll be back soon!'
Alternating reading and chatting flew by time.
Post-meal, lights dimmed.
"Huh, lights out already?"
"Time flies. Morning landing—let's sleep."
I shut my phone to nap.
- That good?
- Yeah! Wanna try? New one...!
Back then too, definitely a novel...
Another old déjà vu flashed.
Twenty years back—exactly on the China flight.
I'd recommended something.
A fuzzy wuxia title now.
Nah, coincidence.
I shook off the unease and closed my eyes.
Woke from a bizarre dream of knighting and martial arts on battlefields—hello, Italy.
Phew, nightmare fuel.
Shiny airport ads eased my relief.
"Whoa, Rome! We made it."
Airport was standard, but stepping on European soil felt fresh.
Ran all over the Central Plains, but first time outside East Asia.
"Director~! Didn't expect to see you so soon! Great to meet you!"
Min Jeongeun greeted us at arrivals.
"All good? No tummy troubles since Italy?"
"Yep! Held off just in case—no issues! Ditched milk and cheese, problem solved!"
"Glad to hear. Hope I'm not dragging you from busy stuff..."
"Not at all! I'm new here, no job yet! Perfect timing to hang—leave guiding to me!"
"Thanks~! Don't mind if I impose~! Hwang Seoyeong—nice to meet you!"
Greetings done, we headed out.
Her ride made city-bound trip comfy.
"Where first? Booked Pantheon and Colosseum for today!"
"Follow the schedule and route?"
"Sites aren't far; they let you in flexibly. Hungry? Eat first. Somewhere specific? Straight there!"
"Colosseum it is!"
Today: Rome sightseeing. Tomorrow: Vatican and night views.
Day after: Dinner with Chairman Rich.
"Safe drive—nap if you want!"
Nice offer, but I'd slept on the plane. No drowsiness.
Colosseum arrived before I could blink.
"Not as bad as stations, but pickpockets swarm tourist spots. Careful—lost my phone early on."
We pocketed phones, minimal cash/cards, and exited.
"Wow, textbook identical."
First Colosseum impression.
"Totally. Same thought."
Min Jeongeun and Hwang Seoyeong nodded.
Inside...
"Seating's narrower than expected?"
"Yeah. Romans here... Huh? Yeowon, stomach okay?"
Matched photos/movies: oval arena.
As she said, seats felt snug—minor difference.
Tourists only inside, naturally.
- Wooaaah!
- Kill, kill him!
- Damn it, I bet my fortune!
For some reason, gladiator echoes from the novel...
"Nah, nothing. Narrow paths."
"Not claustrophobic?"
"Nope. Zero issues. Photos quick."
"Sure. I'll snap 'em. Ch~eese!"
Next: Pantheon.
Temple for all Roman gods.
Not Colosseum-level, but familiar exterior vibe.
"Novel had a temple like this, right?"
"Yeah? Borrows heavy from Italian history."
"What?"
I startled; she casually pointed ceiling.
"Whoa, check the ceiling. How'd they paint that?"
"Not for nothing angels designed it."
Min Jeongeun shared guidebook tidbits.
I shook déjà vu, focused on her tales.
No twelve-gods echoes, thankfully.
Two sites down: lunch time.
Trevi Fountain-area restaurant.
"Know a killer pizza spot! You'll love it."
"No cheese for you, right? Okay?"
"Oil pasta for me—don't sweat it! Italy demands pizza!"
Hwang Seoyeong fretted; Min Jeongeun laughed heartily.
True to hype, pizza was divine.
Finally, Trevi Fountain.
"Why so many people?"
Min Jeongeun frowned.
Jam-packed. Colosseum/Pantheon had crowds but tickets spaced 'em. Here? Tourists walled it off—zero view.
"Ah... Night stroll's quiet; forgot daytime crush."
She looked stumped.
Not a pro guide—how foresee peak crowds?
"Café detour?"
"Gelato spot nearby! Grab some, wait crowd thin, then pics!"
Five-min walk to gelato shop.
Crowded but famous—short queue.
We joined, eyed flavors.
"Hey, hey! Where you from? Picking gelato?"
A kid spoke English.
Tourist? Local? Recommending flavors?
'English still holds up.'
Impressed by my skills, Hwang Seoyeong replied fluently.
Couldn't catch hers...
Kid blinked—non-native English too.
What would I say?
Mulling...
"Ehi, borseggiatore!"
Urgent male voice from shop.
"Director, pickpocket...!"
Ah, that meant that.
"Ahhhhh!"
Min Jeongeun translated...
Snap.
I grabbed the boy's wrist reaching for my wallet.
Weird vibes nearby earlier—figured line-cutting.
Nope: lookout crew for pickpockets.
Whoa, Italy's scary.