Chapter 182
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: MVP's Shoutout
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I sat on the living room sofa, watching Busan BUK's first game of the season.
Even though it was an away game in another region, it being my day off made me consider heading there in person.
But Kim Ijin had strongly insisted I not come when they were playing in Busan, so I turned on the broadcast while petting the flying squirrel at home.
'Good thing I bought the TV!'
I was gradually furnishing the house as needed.
I'd agonized over whether to get a TV since I rarely watched it, but it was proving useful again.
Thanks to the TV—or maybe the cameras—I could enjoy the game just as much as if I were watching from afar in the stadium.
If anything, it felt even more like I was right there courtside.
'She's so... domineering.'
Watching her dominate the court for nearly three full quarters sent shivers down my spine.
"Oh, nice!!"
Every time Kim Ijin sank a shot, I clenched my fist tight.
"Wooooah!"
When the game ended, I jumped to my feet, giving a standing ovation.
- Kyuuuuk!
"Ijin is so cool, right? She's not my disciple... she's a patient! But we're super close!"
I even bragged to the flying squirrel.
Whether it understood or caught my excitement, it hopped around happily with me.
- BUK has undergone a dramatic transformation this season! This game was especially intense—do you plan to keep up this pace?
I wasn't the only one impressed.
- Kim Ijin! Kim Ijin! Kim Ijin!
The whole arena chanted her name. Before the thrill of victory faded, the camera zoomed in on Kim Ijin's face for an interview.
- I gave it my all to start the season on the right foot. We'll keep pushing at a pace that suits us.
Wow, where did she learn to speak like that? So eloquent!
Kim Ijin shared her thoughts on leading the season opener to victory, explaining a few key decisions from the game.
- With Player Lee Sora getting injured right before the season, fans were worried, but seeing your performance today must have put their minds at ease.
- The captain's absence is huge, but she's getting the best treatment and will be back soon.
Lee Sora's name came up naturally.
Oh, it was a bit embarrassing hearing her praised like that.
Suddenly, Kim Ijin's face filled the screen in a close-up.
'She looks so thrilled!'
Of course—she'd just kickstarted the season with a stellar performance.
She'd been just a kid when we first met, but she'd grown into such a fine young woman!
As I watched proudly, Kim Ijin gracefully adjusted the mic with a elegant hand motion.
Was she about to share her ambitions?
- Our Busan BUK team doctor, Director Han Yeowon, is treating her.
Huh?
Why was my name coming up there?
We'd just been talking about the game—no, about Player Lee Sora, right?
- Kyuuk?
As if recognizing my name, the flying squirrel whipped its head around to look at me.
No way!
Was this allowed?
Wasn't it?
PPL or whatever—product placement? But it wasn't a drama, just an interview, so maybe it was fine...
Well, whatever.
She didn't name the clinic, just mentioned me by name. No big deal.
- As someone who's been through a tough injury herself, Player Kim Ijin must feel especially connected.
- Yes. It's been almost two years since my ACL tear. If I hadn't wandered into Seongsu Clinic and met Director Han Yeowon, I wouldn't be here today.
...And right as I thought that, Kim Ijin dropped the clinic's name loud and clear.
- Thank you, Director.
Clunk.
I'd been slicing fruit, but for the first time since learning martial arts, I dropped the knife.
'Why does she have to say it so coolly?'
- Kyuuk!?
The flying squirrel startled, but I couldn't help pounding the sofa armrest.
"Urgh, uwaaaah~~~!"
Promoting the clinic like that on live TV—what was she thinking?
Embarrassment aside, it felt like witnessing something that shouldn't happen.
What was it like? An idol proposing to his girlfriend at a concert?
'Not against any rules, but...!'
No! Just no!
The interview wrapped up naturally with thanks to fans, the coach, seniors, and such, moving on to the next player.
But I couldn't shake Kim Ijin's beaming smile for a long while.
The impact of Kim Ijin's on-air promotion was tremendous.
...Or so I'd like to say, but honestly, it didn't have celebrity-level reach.
Still, injury patients definitely increased.
Some heard through sports groups, others were BUK fans wanting to see the team doctor.
I'd been mortified during the broadcast, but thanks to her, I connected with more patients—a good thing.
[That's our Alliance Leader, right? Seongsu Clinic's Director Han Yeowon?]
But how did someone with zero connection to basketball or sports stumble on that?
None other than Cheongpung Young Master dug up a screenshot of Kim Ijin's interview and posted it in the guild group chat.
[Yes! That's our Alliance Leader!]
Before I could even confirm, Yoon Hanbyeol—nickname KkyuKkyu—affirmed it.
I had no intention of denying it anyway.
We'd been together since the early days of Central Plains Online, so guildmates knew rough real-life details, including real names.
Even after I slacked on raids, we kept in touch actively.
[Hehe, I saw it too but stayed quiet so our Leader wouldn't feel burdened!]
Yoon Hanbyeol replayed Kim Ijin's words like she'd been dying to share.
Yeah, I saw it live—no need to tell me.
[Even my dumping syndrome after surgery got fully cured thanks to Director!]
She even detailed her own treatment in the chat.
[Oh.]
[Whoa, really?]
Cheongpung Young Master chimed in occasionally, then spammed applause emojis once Yoon Hanbyeol finished.
[Wow... I knew she was amazing, but this is insanely next-level;]
[Not that big a deal lol]
[Where's the clinic again? Busan?]
I thought he was just being polite to spare Yoon Hanbyeol's embarrassment, but then Cheongpung Young Master suddenly asked about the location.
[Yep, Busan.]
[Ah, Busan's too far.]
[Where do you live, Cheongpung? Gyeonggi, right?]
[Suwon in Gyeonggi]
Exactly. It was in the capital area.
Too far for a working stiff with a minor issue.
[Let's do a guild meetup sometime? lololol]
[N-no, not that! I can just go to a local one!]
[Yeah. What's hurting?]
Suwon had clinics too, so nearby was fine.
For consultation without treatment, a message or call worked.
[Ughhh. If it hurts, it hurts. If not, it doesn't...?]
But Cheongpung Young Master dodged with vague nonsense.
[Cheongpung! Don't let it get worse—go now! Ignore it and you'll end up with cancer like me!]
[Hey;;]
...The guy who'd actually had stomach cancer surgery half-jokingly warned him, leaving Cheongpung unable to laugh it off.
[No, it's not that serious.]
[What is it then????]
[Not great for a public chat...]
Ugh, if you don't wanna say, don't!
[If it's not for public, definitely go local. Want clinic recs?]
[Oh yeah? Cool if I do?]
[Yep! Got a prof-turned-director in our network—check them out. Friend works at a hospital if you need admission.]
Better to line up an appointment than let it fester.
He knew about local clinics but kept circling—classic sign.
[Whoa;;; You have branches?]
Cheongpung was shocked but quickly found our clinic's SNS.
[This grandpa doctor?]
He showed Kim Chunsik's photo and bio.
[Yep.]
[You look just like the Shaman Sect Leader NPC!]
She was right—the Central Plains Online Shaman Leader NPC design matched, and I'd thought he looked like a Taoist at first too.
[Just seeing his face inspires trust. I'll go there. Phew.]
[Whatever it is, don't wait—go tomorrow!]
[Yessir, it's right by work too.]
Cheongpung thanked me profusely for the rec with belly-bow emojis.
What on earth was wrong with him?
Central Plains Online nickname: Cheongpung Young Master. Real name: Jin Baram.
He spent an average of 16 hours a day sitting.
8 hours at work. Commute: 3 hours round-trip on the wide-area bus.
No salaryman enjoys commuting, but Jin Baram felt depressed and resentful every morning.
If he'd lived closer instead of commuting from his family home, maybe not.
He'd rented near work to avoid public transport, only for the company to relocate to Seoul soon after.
'Haa.'
So Jin Baram blamed all his ailments on the company.
Why move then? Just two months' notice!
'Sitting's sitting, wherever.'
After clocking out early and getting home, he had 5 hours till bed.
All spent parked in front of the computer.
But bus seats weren't gaming chairs.
Whenever it hurt there, he cursed the company, swallowing tears.
'Urghhh.'
What ails you from prolonged sitting?
Usually back.
Long in one posture? Neck and shoulders stiffen.
But in his 30s with above-average muscle, Jin Baram's back held up fine.
'If my back ached, I'd stretch occasionally...'
Instead, a more delicate spot screamed.
'Again!'
Every bathroom trip meant closing his eyes at the red blood.
"What brings you in today?"
He'd never told anyone.
Those who haven't experienced it blather: "So what? Get it removed."
Others mock it.
Even a mobile game he'd played ridiculed a villain for it. Deleted immediately.
So he couldn't tell friends.
They'd laugh their asses off!
"Actually..."
It took guts to even come.
The doctor wouldn't mock him, but entering and naming it felt mortifying.
'It's just like a cold!'
He knew rationally.
Maybe scouring internet stories worsened it.
More self-conscious than his unflappable friends.
Anyway, he sat before the doctor.
Time to speak.
"Actually, it's... hemorrhoids."