Chapter 114: Miracle (2)

“It’s too early.”

Suhyuk shook his head instead of accepting Eps’ congratulations. Then he followed Eps to the operating room using his staff for support.

‘Something feels strange.’

It truly felt odd.

“Why?”

‘I should be really happy in this situation?’

“Based on Suhyuk’s behavior until now, you should indeed feel that way.”

‘Don’t give me cryptic hints.’

“It is strange that you constantly seek my empathy.”

‘Sigh… Anyhow.’

Suhyuk observed Dr. Eps walking slowly to match his pace. It seemed like Eps could read the complex emotions on Suhyuk’s face. This ability often developed after working as an internal medicine doctor for a long time, even if not specializing in psychiatry.

Suhyuk had seen many patients and doctors struggling psychologically due to their circumstances. He himself had experienced it as well.

“What’s wrong, Dr. Lee? Are you unhappy with the diagnosis?”

“No, not at all…”

Suhyuk looked back. They had already walked quite far down the hallway, so nothing was visible behind them. In particular, Paul had been moved via the patient elevator, leaving no trace of him. However, Suhyuk could still picture his cunning face vividly.

“What crime did prisoner Paul commit?”

“I don’t have the exact details.” Eps spoke with a knowing expression.

By principle, inmates’ criminal records were not disclosed to medical staff. After all, despite being professionals, doctors are human too.

If they knew about their patients’ horrible crimes, it would be difficult to empathize with their pain.

“However, if he is from that prison, at least he committed murder.”

“Murder…”

“Moreover, despite his lower body being disabled, there is no hesitation in his actions?”

“Yes.”

“That means he must have considerable influence.”

American prisons could be seen as somewhat like jungles. The law of the jungle was most applicable in these places. Typically, someone with Paul’s disability would become prey. However, living well under such circumstances indicated that he possessed significant invisible power. Although Eps had never been incarcerated himself, through treating prisoners, he gained some understanding of their environment.

“He is among the worst of the worst?”

“Well…yes.”

“Is it right to treat such a person?”

“Oh.” Hearing Suhyuk’s question reminded Eps that Suhyuk was merely a second-year resident and still quite young.

‘Indeed… he’s inexperienced.’

Even among second-year residents, Suhyuk was on the younger side. In the United States, attending medical school after completing undergraduate studies was common, and many students took time off between degrees to gain various experiences. For instance, Steve himself was four years older than Suhyuk.

‘It isn’t unreasonable.’

Although Suhyuk’s diagnostic skills were unparalleled, he lacked experience.

Eps thought it was humanizing to see this side of Suhyuk and opened his mouth.

“Doctor Lee. As doctors…we should not make value judgments about patients.”

“I know, but it is hard to control my feelings.”

“It happens initially. I once learned that a patient I treated ended up in prison for committing a crime. Well…I discovered this when they returned for another check-up.”

“Oh.”

“But such cases aren’t always true. People can change - either for better or worse. I have seen many instances where people changed for the better.”

Honestly, Eps didn’t think Paul, who had lived his life sufficiently, would change. However, he couldn’t give up on treating others due to one person like Paul. The moment a doctor started thinking this way, they ceased being a doctor. Although Dr. Lee did not fully agree with the Hippocratic Oath, he strongly believed that doctors should refrain from judging a patient’s worth. As individuals entrusted with the power to intervene in another’s life, it would be cruel for them to focus on the perceived value of that life - both for the patient and the doctor themselves.

“Ah.”

“Doctor Lee. Today, Doctor Lee diagnosed one person with lead poisoning and may even be able to treat his lower body paralysis. You have done something great.”

“But Paul is…”

“Don’t think of him as Paul. It will be difficult, but you must do it. I am not speaking as your professor, but just as a senior doctor.”

Suhyuk couldn’t immediately respond. However, he felt that Eps’ words were important.

[I will first store this information in the database. Think about it again later.]

‘Yes, that sounds good.

[Let’s focus on the surgery for now. Opportunities like this don’t come often.]

‘Indeed, that’s true.’

When would he undergo neurosurgery? Even if his request was accepted at Taehwa Medical Center, there might not be enough time due to scheduling constraints.

Thus, Suhyuk decided to focus on the immediate task at hand.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Sure, Dr. Lee. This way, please enter here.”

“Understood.”

Suhyuk entered the observation room. Inside, there was a monitor, and through a large window, he could almost directly look down into the operating theater. The protruding structure made him feel uneasy about its stability, but regardless of any concerns, it provided an excellent view.

“Do you have a good vantage point?”

As Suhyuk needed to use his staff, Michael, the neurosurgical resident, and the anesthesiologist were already present inside the room. Moreover, Paul was positioned on all fours. His face could not be seen due to the distance, but he appeared quite nervous. This was evident from the trembling of his hands gripping the handlebars protruding forward.

“Yes. I can hear you clearly.”

“Okay. We won’t get criticized if the surgery goes well.”

“It will go smoothly.”

“All right, let’s start anesthesia.”

Michael’s words sent chills down the spine of the observing resident as he turned towards the anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist then administered spinal anesthesia followed by injecting sedatives through the line connected to the patient’s forearm.

“He is asleep now.”

“Good. Let’s begin.”

After confirming that Paul’s eyes were closing, Michael held out his hand. The nurse promptly handed him a local anesthetic.

This was Suhyuk’s first time entering an operating room since his internship days, so everything felt quite unfamiliar to him.

‘Another anesthesia?’

[Baruda: There is no specific data regarding this matter.]

Baruda shared the same sentiment. Since merging with Suhyuk, he had never been inside an operating room. He hadn’t read any research papers related to surgery either. Even basic surgical techniques weren’t well-documented in textbooks; one could only learn them by working directly in an operating room.

“Do you think it took effect? The anesthesia?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Scalpel.”

Michael was definitely a neurosurgeon as he did not use the full names of medical instruments.

“I need to pull.”

“I need to spread.”

“I need to grasp.”

He requested tools by their purpose rather than their name, making Suhyuk wonder if Michael didn’t know the proper terms. However, remarkably, the nurse understood and handed over the appropriate instrument each time. Even when “pulling tool” could refer to multiple items, she consistently provided the correct one based on the situation.

‘Impressive! Is she anticipating the surgery?’

[I guess it’s due to experience. They seem like a well-coordinated team.]

‘Does this also apply to the system?’

[Most likely.]

Thinking back, even during Internal Medicine consultations, specific nurses and staff were assigned to certain professors, indicating a structured approach to teamwork.

It felt like they were being considerate by ensuring well-established teamwork among staff members. Based on what Suhyuk observed in the outpatient clinic, he assumed it was similar in the operating room.

Zzzt.

As Suhyuk and Baruda looked with envy at Michael’s team, the surgeon finally reached the fragment. The incision was very small, vertically oriented, making it seem challenging to perform surgery through that opening alone. Of course, Michael’s skills and experience played a significant role, but according to Suhyuk, the most crucial element was a device known as the ‘navigation system.’

‘What is that thing?’

[Based on the MRI scan taken earlier… It appears to be a tool that indicates where the surgeon is currently operating.]

It’s quite impressive.

[But it still can’t match me.]

‘Why do you get competitive whenever machines are discussed? It is completely different equipment.’

[I’m just saying…]

Leaving Baruda grumbling behind him, Suhyuk focused on the surgery scene again. He could see parts of it through both the monitor and the glass window. Unfortunately, Michael’s head partially blocked the camera view, but Suhyuk was able to roughly understand what they were doing.

Clang!

Soon, a bullet fragment believed to be causing Paul’s right leg paralysis emerged. The sound of it dropping into a stainless steel bowl was crisp and distinct.

“Ugh.”

At that moment, Paul, who had been asleep, tried to lift his head. However, he couldn’t due to the immobilization device securing his head. It seemed the removal of the fragment near his nerve caused some stimulation, similar to when one accidentally hits their funny bone.

If his head wasn’t fixed by the device, it might have moved due to the stimulation near the nerve when the bullet fragment was removed. Anyone who has bumped their elbow against a corner could empathize with this sensation. The prickling feeling couldn’t be easily mitigated by mere sedatives.

“Oh, you’re awake now? That’s good.”

Michael showed no signs of being flustered. Instead, he seemed relieved as he had intended to wake Paul anyway. He approached Paul’s head and asked,

“You can understand everything I’m saying now, right?”

“Ugh… Yes.”

Although anesthesia prevented pain, there was still a strange sensation, which was expected after having one’s back opened up. With a grimace, Paul nodded vigorously, emphasizing his discomfort amidst the restraints.

In any case, Michael had grasped what was going on.

“Okay, bend your right knee.”

“What? But I can’t move it!”

“Yes, try anyway. That’s why you underwent surgery.”

“In this…condition?” Despite his lack of medical training, Paul thought it highly unusual for a doctor to ask something like this while their patient’s back was still open. For a moment, he wondered if this was divine retribution for all the sins he’d committed throughout his life.

However, Michael persisted earnestly. “Please give it a go.”

“All right.” Paul closed his eyes tightly, acknowledging that he knew nothing about medicine. Although he was confident in his ability to locate blood vessels better than most doctors, he reminded himself that until now, everything he’d injected had been drugs, not medication.

“Ah.”

“Try moving it.”

“Huh?”

“Oh.”

“Now… this is…”

“It’s moving. Although it may seem small due to weak muscles…it is indeed moving.”

Not only Michael but also the prison guard, Eps, and Steve observed Paul’s right leg move from the observation room. Of course, Suhyuk, who made this miracle possible, saw it as well.

“Woah! Is this real?” Paul was ecstatic like a child.

“Hmm.”

It was strange. Until just now, I felt uncomfortable, but seeing Paul happily move his leg brought a smile to my face.

‘I guess doctors should heal people.’

[Isn’t it for making money?]

‘No, no. You are… No, never mind.’