Chapter 236
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: The Clinic Consultation
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"Oh, really? You can do that?"
Even though my offer could come across as a bit rude, Director Jang's face lit up noticeably.
He'd watched our clinic's YouTube channel multiple times, so he must have trusted me because of that.
"Ooooh~ Consulting?"
Young Master Cheongpung whistled.
"Ah! Should I pay a consulting fee? How much?"
I had no intention of charging, but because of Young Master Cheongpung, Director Jang tensed up.
I waved my hand dismissively, saying it was totally unnecessary.
"No consulting fee. And this isn't a pitch to join our network~."
I was just curious and wanted to watch myself—it was like a hobby.
If it were official network business, I'd go all out until things stabilized, but this wasn't that.
I just planned to take a quick peek and share my thoughts. It was entirely up to him whether to take my advice or not.
"Perfect timing—I'm off until tomorrow. I can swing by in the morning and head down after."
"Whaaat? On your precious vacation?!"
Director Jang was deeply moved.
"Cheongpung, want to come and get treated?"
"Uh, I have to go to work."
"Not too late after you finish?"
"I'll get treated by Director Kim!"
Young Master Cheongpung bolted.
He'd complained about back pain, and I'd thought it'd be good to observe a treatment.
But with Kim Chunsik right in front of his company, it was probably too much hassle to move.
"Let's talk more about this at the clinic tomorrow."
"Ah! Right! I have so much to say about this balance patch! What are they even thinking with melee DPS...!"
"You should've leveled up the Sichuan Tang Family sooner."
"Arrrgh! Give back World's Greatest Clan!"
I decided to visit Director Jang's clinic alone.
For today, I chatted endlessly about games with everyone gathered.
The conversation flowed without pause, even deep into the night.
We covered the new balance patch, each sect's features, and predictions for the upcoming raid—time flew by.
After dropping off Qyukyu and confirming tomorrow with Director Jang, I headed to Hwang Seoyeong's place.
She was away on a trip but had said I could use her house no problem.
And the next morning.
"Whoa, even the clinic name is classic."
I arrived at Director Jang's Clinic.
I'd used my phone's navigation, but there were hardly any reviews on the map app.
...No parking lot either.
I swore I'd never bring my car to Seoul again.
'Do patients walk here?'
It was a 15-minute walk from the station.
Not an apartment clinic, but a storefront—and there were plenty of clinics right by the station exit.
In Seoul, this distance hardly qualified as station-area prime real estate.
'Oh, there's a market.'
Still, it was near the market. Markets often mattered more than subway stations for clinic locations.
Elderly patients shopping there would often stop by for treatment on the way.
Not smack in the middle of the market, but just across the street.
Decent foot traffic too.
And on the first floor.
To be honest, the location was way better than ours.
"Aigoo."
As I followed the map, right next door was the shiny new clinic.
Unlike the weathered sign of Director Jang's Clinic, this one gleamed.
It used eye-catching primary colors as accents, with "365 Night Clinic" plastered huge.
No wonder people searching for Director Jang's would end up there instead.
I clicked my tongue and stepped inside.
"Wow, you've got every kind of figure collected?"
The waiting room shelf was lined with character figures that caught my eye.
Not just the mini Central Plains Online characters from yesterday's popup, but famous ones from various RPGs too.
"Ah, yes. It's my hobby—been collecting since I was a kid."
It had that 'real deal' vibe.
For me, who only dealt with in-game items of 0s and 1s, merch felt like another world.
"Gasp! Will patients get a bad impression when they come in?"
I'd just mentioned it out of curiosity.
Director Jang, who'd been proudly showing them off, suddenly panicked on his own.
"No, not at all. Nothing bad about it. Let's observe some treatments first and talk."
"Ah, yes. Please take care of me!"
The figures might be a tad mismatched for the traditional sign elderly patients prefer, but they wouldn't scare anyone away.
I shook my head and headed to the exam room.
Good thing I'd brought my gown for this volunteer stint.
Just like visiting other branches, I got permission and observed patient exams and treatments.
From 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., four patients came in total.
All over 65.
"Ma'am~ Hello~ How's the back?"
As expected, Director Jang's speech was incredibly warm and friendly.
"Much better. A few more sessions and it'll be all good."
"It was a nasty sprain, but you're recovering well thanks to coming regularly~. Let's do three or four more treatments~."
"Three or four more? Can't it heal faster? I have to take the bus if it's not on market day."
"Haha. We're on the right track, so just a bit more patience and we'll get there."
His treatment skills were solid too.
No doctor sucks at back treatments, but precisely hitting the long back muscles with long needles showed his skill.
Records showed three sessions so far.
Clear improvement on a severe sprain meant reliable results.
"You place needles exceptionally well."
After the morning four, we sat in the exam room for a chat.
"Haha, I'm not bad. Middle of the pack, I guess."
"No. Your needling is way above average. Top 10% for sure."
I was just stating facts, but he looked terribly embarrassed.
That wasn't even meant as praise.
"But do you only do acupuncture? Patients seem to want more treatments."
Not slow for the conditions, but patients could still feel frustrated.
He explained well enough, but subjectively it felt draggy... they might consider ortho injections.
I'd recommend pharmacopuncture.
Elderly often balk at extra costs, so you don't push at first—but when they ask, offer options with prices.
"Ah, we're a straight-acupuncture clinic."
"Huh? No pharmacopuncture at all?"
No signs about it on the walls, but I'd assumed they had some.
Was going to suggest a poster, but none at all?
"It's a hassle to manage. Staff hates drawing it too..."
"No chiropractic either?"
"Ah, yes. Haven't bought the machine yet... And at my age, it'd wear me out..."
Hmmmmm.
This won't be easy.
"Pure acupuncture" means no chiro or specials, just needles—but most still stock pharmacopuncture at least.
Really bare-bones operation.
"Oh, first-time patient."
Just as I was about to comment.
A new patient arrived.
"Wow, what a rare first-timer. These days, walk-ins are endangered—maybe one or two a week."
Director Jang checked his appearance, thrilled.
One or two first-timers a week?
...Like our clinic's opening days before referrals built up.
"Hello..."
"Hello~ What brings you in today~?"
Director Jang's eyes, half-lidded moments ago, sparkled as he dove into the exam with full energy.
'Exams are friendly, and he's genuinely good.'
At yesterday's popup, his eyes were barely a third open, sleepy.
But with a patient, he was as fired up as in-game.
That'd give a warm, caring, attentive vibe.
"Yees~ Elbow tendinitis takes time, but steady treatment will fix it. Let me show you to the treatment room~."
Ah, but elbows are a nightmare with just acupuncture.
Bee venom, moxa scraping, or at least pharmacopuncture would help.
"Hmm... A few in the morning before market, then dead quiet."
After the elbow newbie, patients trickled to a halt.
We chatted, waiting through lunch, but it stayed very, very slow.
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch: one new, seven returns.
"Is this average daily?"
Even split between us, nowhere near our three-digit days.
Sparse even for a neighborhood clinic.
"Some days hit 30-40. But since the shiny new place next door opened, it's under 20 consistently. Ha... Maybe night hours?"
Director Jang sighed deeply.
"Yeopo-nim thinks I'm great, haha, but reality's this. Single-digit days weigh heavy—even games feel depressing."
Single-digit: under 10 patients.
I remembered those early days, so I got his despair.
"Being pure acupuncture hit you harder with that flashy competitor."
Obesity, gyn, skin, mental—specialize and patients seek you out over locals.
But sticking to basic musculoskeletal with just needles? Nearby clinics offering extras at same price steal them.
No quick fixes for young folks, no add-ons for those wanting more.
"Yes..."
He nodded in agreement.
20 a day.
With chiro/pharmaco and high per-patient revenue, viable.
But needles/cups only, over half 65+? Tough.
Over-65s pay 10% copay up to 20k total—unspoken rule to adjust claims.
So per patient: 20k for 65+, ~30k under. Average 25k with initials: 15 patients = 375k/day.
5 days/week: ~750k/month.
Pure profit 750k? Game life fine.
But rent, staff pay, expenses, taxes—less than an assistant director's salary.
"Should I buy physio machines? Night hours? Any machines to recommend? Under 10 mil if possible..."
He squeezed his eyes shut and asked.
"Hard to recommend. I don't use any."
"Ahh, sorry! You said you don't either!"
Flawless with patients, but odd slips around me.
Harmless stuff, yet he blushed.
"Just close up and job hunt?"
"Calm down. Not there yet. Let's start with what we can do. That's why I'm here, right?"
I patted his slumped shoulder, clapped to refocus him.
"In my view, three big improvements. No night/weekend hours or copying the flashy place."
He straightened, nodded eagerly.
Attentive listener. I liked that.
"First glance at your clinic—what's your thought?"
I asked Director Jang.
He must suspect something.
"Hmm..."
He pondered.
Then spoke.
"Ah, the figures? Maybe they look bad despite being cute to me..."
...Way off.
I'd said they were fine!
"Not the figures! The sign, starting there!"
"Ah."