Chapter 98: Give Me What You Have (1)

“It truly is dama-induced immunodeficiency… Hmm.” After examining the patient, Dr. Epps muttered while reviewing the X-ray images.

‘There have been occasional reports of it occurring among those handling dama…’

He had encountered this condition several times in case reports, but this was his first time witnessing it firsthand.

‘I didn’t immediately connect the dots.’

Dr. Epps was still a young professor in his mid-40s. In academic circles, he was considered relatively junior since most professors become more active and assume positions of responsibility around their 50s. However, his youth did not reflect any lack of expertise. He possessed enough skill to confidently work at a tertiary care institution.

‘Yet, this resident identified it right away… Impressive, isn’t it?’

Hank had previously informed him about Suhyuk’s exceptional skills, but this surpassed mere excellence. A resident outperforming a professor was unheard of.

Suhyuk’s abilities were beyond exceptional. A resident surpassing a professor - he had never heard of such a thing before.

“Doctor Lee, have you seen this condition before? Marijuana-induced pneumonitis?”

Naturally, Hank assumed Suhyuk must have encountered similar cases frequently.

‘After all, drugs are rampant in places like Thailand.’

The Golden Triangle region near Myanmar was practically lawless, openly cultivating cocaine. Although Korea itself was far removed from such issues, Dr. Belzer, being American, wasn’t aware of these nuances. To him, all Asian countries seemed the same.

“Pardon?” Suhyuk responded with confusion, as if questioning what nonsense Hank was talking about.

“You…have you treated many marijuana-related patients? Marijuana-induced pneumonitis is rare… I find it fascinating how quickly you connected the symptoms.”

“Ah… No. In fact, I have never seen a patient related to dama.”

“Never? Isn’t it cultivated there?”

“Huh? No. Regarding drugs…” Suhyuk initially wanted to say Korea was drug-free but stopped himself as that wasn’t entirely true anymore. Until a few years ago, he firmly believed his country was relatively free from drugs. However, recent incidents had shaken this belief significantly. Nevertheless, compared to the United States, South Korea still had much lower drug prevalence. With renewed confidence, he continued:

“We have strict regulations on such matters. Distribution might occur, but production… It’s likely non-existent.”

“So you’ve never encountered lung fibrosis caused by dama before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“But how did you…make the diagnosis?”

“Huh? No… I have seen it in books and case reports.”

If Suhyuk needed to experience everything firsthand to diagnose patients, there would be no need for textbooks. They could just throw medical students into hospitals from their first year. Of course, with Baru’s help, he was able to make difficult diagnoses like this one, but Suhyuk didn’t mention that fact.

[Well done. It is amusing to see your perplexed face.]

Baruda had long decided that it was better for Suhyuk to be regarded as a genius rather than making strange remarks without reason.

[Do you really believe you diagnosed it by yourself?]

‘No, no. Is that enough explanation?’

[Your unease stems from knowing that if something goes wrong while trying to handle it alone, it will cause problems for me too.]

‘Sigh.’

Of course, Baruda also remembered Suhyuk’s nagging.

“Yes… He diagnosed it without any prior experience or knowledge.”

Regardless of what Suhyuk and Baruda did, Dr. Epps was genuinely astonished. The small Asian doctor before him possessed skills that surpassed both his younger self as well as his current abilities.

‘Hank… This isn’t just about being intelligent.’

Dr. Epps had encountered several individuals labeled as geniuses throughout his life. He himself attended university with accolades for his brilliance, eventually becoming a professor due to this recognition. Among his peers, there were those who truly embodied society’s definition of a genius.

However, Lee Suhyuk was different from them.

‘This…this is monstrous.’

Epps had this thought when he diagnosed Suhyuk with mask syndrome. As the outpatient clinic neared its end, his initial impression solidified into certainty. Not only did Suhyuk not miss any diseases that other residents overlooked, but every treatment plan he proposed was perfect.

‘Lee Suhyuk… Once he becomes a specialist, things will be intense…’

As Epps pondered, he watched Suhyuk leave for his afternoon schedule.

“You accomplished quite a lot today.”

Baruda couldn’t help but feel immensely satisfied. Even as an artificial intelligence, he recognized the value of pushing Suhyuk hard, despite initially questioning the severity.

‘Did you see his expression?’

“Yes.”

‘How about analyzing it?’

[A continuous stream of surprises and shocks.]

‘I must admit, even I was surprised.’

Baruda seemed satisfied with Suhyuk’s response as he laughed loudly before adding one more line in a voice filled with madness:

[This is the power of Made in Korea, you Yankees.]

‘Where did you hear the term Yankee…?’

[The people who created me often used to say it. Down with the Yankees! Long live Taehwa.]

‘Ahhh…’

Suhyuk recalled some researchers Lee Hyunjong had brought along. They all bowed their heads guiltily, but among them, there was one who, like An Dae-hoon, remained silent due to his bald head.

‘Suhyuk, these individuals are currently fundraising, right? Prepare 100 million won for them.’

Huh? Dr. Choi, one hundred million won? There’s only four of us…

I know exactly what the lead researcher earns. Can’t you even gather one hundred million won? Do you not want to collaborate with us?

Wow…

It was unclear whether they had come to apologize or rob them blind at that moment. Regardless, Suhyuk’s impression of them back then had been ‘they seem quite docile.’

But those seemingly meek Taehwa Electronics employees curse like sailors when they’re working.

“They swear quite profusely, don’t they? Would you like to hear?”

“No, no, it’s okay.”

“Here, listen—”

“I said, it’s fine.”

Walking alongside them, Steve observed their pointless argument with a serious expression on his face.

‘Is he making another diagnosis?’

Otherwise, why would Suhyuk be muttering to himself?

‘A genius… yet he still puts in the effort.’

Steve thought he should emulate this aspect of Suhyuk’s behavior. At the same time, he remembered Hank’s request.

‘Somehow…I must learn his secret.’

Before today, Steve had no intention of learning from Suhyuk solely due to Hank’s request. However, after witnessing Suhyuk almost single-handedly handle the respiratory outpatient clinic, his attitude shifted significantly. Even without Hank’s plea, Steve now desired to learn from Suhyuk.

He wondered how one could become such a skilled doctor.

“Um…”

Feeling guilty for interrupting the deep thoughts of a genius, Steve hesitantly approached Suhyuk. In contrast, Suhyuk didn’t mind at all; they were just having casual conversations anyway.

“Oh, Steve.”

“I-if it’s okay with you…would you like to have lunch together?”

“Ah.”

Caught off guard by this unexpected invitation, Suhyuk quickly searched his memories. Thanks to Baruda diligently storing information, it didn’t take long.

‘I remember hearing that most seniors who came here usually ate alone?’

[Yes. A resident has never invited you for lunch before. Professors did so once or twice.]

‘Something…’

[It seems there is a hidden agenda.]

Although he suspected this, Suhyuk didn’t want to outright reject Steve’s offer.

‘It might not be bad to leave some connections in the United States.’

[Well… I’m unsure if he will prove useful…]

‘I heard that being assigned as a resident for trainees isn’t given lightly.’

Naturally, hospitals sent their most outstanding residents to trainees. Consequently, the receiving hospital would likely assign equally exceptional residents to interact with them. Even if they weren’t directly teaching, these residents should at least command respect from the trainees.

Of course, Steve wasn’t fulfilling this role at present.

“Great. Do you know any good places?”

“Hmm.” Steve pretended to check his watch.

Normally, it would be time for him to head to the research institute with Hank. Unlike university hospitals in Korea, American institutions also taught residents about medical research beyond clinical practice. However, today was an exception.

“How about downtown? We can take my car.”

“Downtown? Are we allowed to leave?”

“Yes, as long as we’re back by three o’clock.”

“Oh…”

It was currently one o’clock, giving them two full hours of free time.

I’m a bit envious.

[Exactly! How can residents have such leisure? It’s ridiculous compared to our workload.]

Baruda’s mood soured due to their excessive leisure time. He appeared like a grumpy old man. It was absurd for an artificial intelligence to act this way. Suhyuk shook his head, finding it nonsensical.

‘They come from a different country.’

[Their relaxed attitude will ruin their skills.]

‘No, objectively speaking… they’re not that bad.’

[That is… Hmm. You might be right?’]

Soon, Baruda accepted the objective fact reluctantly.

[How can this happen?]

As Suhyuk pointed out, Steve’s abilities were comparable to those of a third-year resident. While Baruda didn’t recognize the concept of “third-year” residents, essentially, Steve’s skills were either on par or even superior compared to what he expected.

Considering he worked half the hours of other residents, this was truly remarkable. However, Suhyuk believed he knew the reason behind it.

‘These guys learn whenever they get a chance. The professors… They really put their all into teaching.’

[Ah, it happened today as well.]

‘It feels like we’re at an educational institution.’

[We are essentially being trained to be slaves.]

‘L… Let’s not use such words.’

[Isn’t that the truth though?]

‘Exactly, let’s avoid saying that.’

As the saying goes, “The most painful assault is often factual.” Seeing the relaxed lives of some residents here made the residents at Taehwa Medical Center seem more like actual slaves. Hearing Baruda refer to them as ‘slave training’ only added to Suhyuk’s discomfort.

Seeing it labeled as ‘slave training ground’ hurt his heart.

“What’s wrong with calling a slave a slave?” Of course, Baruda, being artificial intelligence, had no empathy whatsoever.

“Please come this way.”

In any case, Suhyuk reached Steve’s car. Perhaps due to the vast land, instead of an underground parking lot, cars were parked on flat ground. Surprisingly, even residents had designated parking spots.

“It has your name on it?”

“Yes, there is also a shuttle… but these spaces are mandatory for those who cannot use the shuttle.”

“Oh.”

Even assistant professors at Taehwa Hospital didn’t always have guaranteed parking spots. Unaware of Steve’s immense admiration for Taehwa, Suhyuk continued to envy him.

“Here we are.”

After driving for about ten minutes in his sleek midsize sedan, they arrived at a small burger joint. Its shabby exterior dampened Suhyuk’s expectations, but Steve appeared confident.

“This place claims to have the best burgers in Central City.”

Suhyuk suspected that Steve might be biased due to it being his hometown, but since he was treating him anyway and claimed it tasted good, there was no need to argue. With a nod, they headed inside together.

“You’re excited, right?”

“You won’t be disappointed. Let’s sit over there. The window seats offer a lovely view of those trees.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

As Suhyuk settled into his seat, Steve, with a slightly more serious expression, began speaking:

“So, Dr. Belzer…”

“Yes.”

“If it’s not too much trouble… Can you tell me how you study? If there is something lacking in our system, I would like to learn from you.”

“Ah…”

Suhyuk wondered if this was appropriate for someone who had come here as a trainee.

Isn’t he asking me to teach him despite being here to learn himself?

[Cut him off firmly. How dare he ignore Taehwa! What makes Iowa State University Hospital so special… Wait, no.]

‘What do you mean?’

[I suspect Watson, the artificial intelligence developed jointly by Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Harvard Medical School, might be available here.]

‘So what?’

[Pretend that you are studying using artificial intelligence, and ask to see Watson. They may show it to you.]