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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God]
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Chapter 37
In this current life, I don’t really have occasion to meet him, but in my past life, Lee Jaehun didn’t have the best relationship with those of the medical profession.
In a world where the concept of death is rare, doctors tend to have a combative aspect. They regarded Lee Jaehun, with his ignorant regenerative abilities, as somewhat inferior.
‘They probably saw me flaunting my abilities recklessly, going here and there.’
Even though one couldn’t die from severe pain, it could drive one insane. Thus, doctors often attributed meaning to meaningless suffering.
But Lee Jaehun was the complete opposite.
Not only did he, like many others, not attribute meaning to pain, but he also didn’t see the need to preserve his body, considering his regenerative ability. He had no respect for doctors who spoke harshly despite their blessed ability that left no scars.
Now, he found himself in a world that attributed meaning to pain and death, but that didn’t mean his values could change in an instant. The influence of the otherworldly realm made it even more difficult.
Lee Jaehun looked at the doctor who stood before him with a forced smile, his eyes filled with disdain.
“If only this were the courtyard of a hospital, I would have picked up a scalpel. What a pity.”
“……”
“It seems someone else administered first aid, but let’s set aside the presence of others for now. Even if there were someone to treat you, why didn’t you rest there?”
“…I was waiting…”
“I understand waiting, but isn’t that less important than someone’s life, sir?”
This was why natural-born doctors were like this.
Lee Jaehun felt a dizzying sensation at being addressed as ‘sir’ again.
It was the title he used back when we first met, and the subtle discontent he had shown back then was clearly reflected in the title.
“I felt it keenly even in my past life… Regardless, doctors always seem to interfere, even when I can take care of myself.”
As Dr. Ha Sungyoon, with his distinctive gentle voice, explained Lee Jaehun’s condition, he unwittingly delved into minor traumas from his past life at an unstoppable pace.
“I’m glad you’re alive, but I don’t understand how you’re alive. What exactly is the difference between you and what Kwon Yeonhee-ssi described as zombies?”
“……”
“Why on earth is your leg in such a shape? It looks like someone tried to stop the bleeding by tearing clothes, but that’s just basic first aid; if left as it is, it’ll fester. It’ll get worse. Just by looking at the blood dripping, it’s obvious that some flesh must have come off.”
“Oh…”
From the mouth of Noh Yeonseok, the intern who had been silent since earlier, not a word but an exclamation of awe came out. From his perspective, who had been too preoccupied to pay attention elsewhere, phrases like ‘blood dripping’ and ‘flesh coming off’ sounded quite grim.
Considering the intern’s distracted state due to the influence of the otherworldly realm, the reaction was understandable, and those who were noticeably in better condition had nothing to say.
“…Director…”
“I thought your clothes seemed even more torn.”
“Oh, shouldn’t you be lying down somewhere, sir?”
“Well, for now, it seems like you should get some rest…”
In response to all of this, Lee Jaehun clicked his tongue.
‘It’s because they’re so mentally weak like that.’
Because of the chicks who were particularly sensitive to wounds, Lee Jaehun hadn’t openly revealed his condition, but Dr. Ha Sungyoon’s harsh choice of words shattered everything.
The intern Noh Yeonseok, who had just regained some color, began to pale again, and Yoon Garam gave her own composed analysis. Serious voices from both sister Park Dayoung and brother Park Dahoon were heard, although their faces were obscured by the crowd.
Standing by Lee Jaehun’s side amidst the unified opinion, Jung Inho looked at him with a mournful expression, but Lee Jaehun couldn’t shake the feeling that Jung Inho was feeding him water, a look he had occasionally seen in the same department under the same building.
Despite all these reactions, Dr. Ha Sungyoon’s demeanor remained steadfast.
“To be honest, I’m also perplexed. We were all quite disoriented while you were gone, Director, and the current situation isn’t exactly reassuring. It’s been quite chaotic.”
“Wouldn’t I be perplexed too?”
“Then please stay quiet. Your body is practically dead, yet your clothes are intact like this…”
“Oh, goodness, really?”
Lee Jaehun was speechless with disbelief.
Whether it was solely his own thought or not, Jung Inho stared at him silently, and the team, including the doctor, looked at Lee Jaehun with discontented gazes.
From those eyes, Lee Jaehun felt like he heard faint curses.
“…Sigh.”
And none of this situation pleased Lee Jaehun.
‘Why do I always end up in a position of weakness?’
Whoever decided I’m weak, now the chicks are chirping away as they please.
Amidst the irritation from the trauma of just dying and coming back to life, Lee Jaehun was troubled by the subtle discomfort and displeasure similar to the incident of shifting from victim to perpetrator before regression. He truly disliked the irrational concerns of others and the resulting inefficiency.
With a subtle frown, Lee Jaehun consciously cleared his throat and spoke.
“What’s the matter? Stop staring.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to receive proper treatment first?”
“Forget about the treatment for a moment… What’s with those stares? Seriously.”
“Why are you brushing off something so important?”
“You’re making it really hard to say anything.”
Above all, the lukewarm gazes of the chicks were enough to make Lee Jaehun sensitive.
“Let me say it again, but whatever it is, it probably isn’t more important than Director’s life.”
“No, but…”
However, if you really wanted to argue, it was a matter of principle that couldn’t be refuted.
“If you deny that, it’s like disrespecting the value of life.”
And if he denied that principle, Lee Jaehun would be stamped as a psychopath in front of all these survivors.
Who would want to confide in someone who disregards the value of life? It would be fortunate if he wasn’t treated as a lunatic. He didn’t want to be seen as a nutcase in front of a detective already brimming with suspicion and a protagonist with a disturbing past.
Unable to contain his frustration at being unable to refute the principle, Lee Jaehun muttered.
“…Anyway, I’m not dead yet.”
“Is that something to say in front of a doctor?”
“But do you know how much I suffered to keep this life?”
“Just having a life isn’t everything.”
“……”
Honestly, Lee Jaehun felt aggrieved.
He hadn’t intentionally gotten injured, though it was partly intentional, but anyway, if he hadn’t done this, he would have died.
He had no doubt that he had made the best choice and achieved the best outcome. He would keep his mouth shut about such plans because socially and physically, he could die, but anyway, that was the conclusion.
Lee Jaehun had done almost everything he could for himself and his team.
Lee Jaehun muttered with frustration at not being able to overcome his sense of injustice.
“…Why?”
To be honest, there were more questions than just injustice.
‘You guys came here alive and well, so why all the fuss over that life?’
Moreover, this place was an otherworld, so as long as he managed his mental state well, he was almost immune to death, his limbs were intact, and he had no problem walking around. The aftereffects didn’t seem too severe either.
At least, that’s what Lee Jaehun thought.
“…Yes?”
“Considering I’ve got breath and I even walked here alone, isn’t that praiseworthy?”
“……”
“Well, it’s not like I was found unconscious on the street or missing a limb, so why…”
Now, beyond feeling unjust, he was at a loss for words.
“What’s with the reactions, anyway?”
Judging by the strong reactions of the doctor and others, it seemed like he was at fault, but honestly, no matter how much he thought about it, Jaehun hadn’t done anything wrong.
If his thoughts were correct, perhaps Dr. Ha Sungyoon understood the importance of mental state in the otherworld, and if he had the time, Jung Inho might have heard about it too. Then they should know that as long as the limbs are intact, even with significant injuries, one can endure and survive. So why were they reacting like this?
“…Hmm.”
Lee Jaehun carefully organized his thoughts.
Did I harm them? No. I actually helped them. Did I act differently within their common sense? No, I didn’t. I came back well with just one life, and even faced with a monster…
Having been dragged away and then making a concerted effort to escape and return, he was perfectly fine. If anything, it was something to be praised for.
Perhaps it was because his value had decreased according to the standards of his past life, but who knows.
‘I doubt those little yellow chicks are capable of assessing efficiency to that extent.’
There might be other reasons.
But was there something from the start that upset them? Going out without a word in the evening?
“…Ah.”
That could be it.
Lee Jaehun nodded inwardly and spoke up.
“Of course, I apologize for disappearing without a word. But there were no means of communication, and the situation was urgent, with no time to spare.”
“……”
“To be honest, just coming back alive amidst all that was truly doing my best…”
“……”
“……”
Feeling the intense sensation only deepening as he spoke, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
“…Do you have anything else to say?”
“…I’m sorry?”
“No, ha. Hahaha…”
What’s going on? Why is this happening?
Is it even about this?
“What is it?”
Slowly, Lee Jaehun began to feel not just unjust but also melancholic.
If his body were normal and this place weren’t an otherworld, Lee Jaehun would have known what mistake he was making. It wasn’t just a feeling that something was off, but rather a sense that the atmosphere was wrong.
But even though he was standing on both legs, Lee Jaehun wasn’t normal. In fact, miraculously waking up just a few hours after fainting around dawn could be considered a miracle. For someone who had lost flesh and had bones exposed to walk like this, what kind of state do you think they’d be in?
In fact, the fact that he was making even basic judgments like this was remarkable. Lee Jaehun was so accustomed to pain that, for him, it was tolerable, but for others, they would have screamed in agony immediately.
And amidst his already poor physical condition, this place was an otherworld.
In a world where just breathing made you lose your mind and drinking water made you nauseous, Lee Jaehun couldn’t be considered normal. Being chased by a sea monster and experiencing trauma only exacerbated the situation.
As a result, Lee Jaehun inadvertently erased some of the common sense of the present life. It wasn’t to the extent of seeing people as monsters, but rather, it created a strange feeling for those who ambiguously considered it common sense.
And Dr. Ha Sungyoon, who was sensitive to the patient’s physical condition, couldn’t help but smile at Lee Jaehun’s appearance.
“Patient.”
“……”
“Please quietly receive treatment.”
Faced with his pale, stiff face, there was nothing more to say.
As the doctor began preparing for treatment in earnest, among the hesitant group, the siblings dressed in school uniforms were the first to approach Lee Jaehun. Amidst the adults in suits and aprons, students in school uniforms inevitably stood out in some way.
They eagerly poured out their words as if they had been holding back for a while.
“Ahjussi, are you okay? Look at your leg, it’s all messed up.”
“Aren’t you hungry? We were so surprised when you suddenly disappeared. We left some chocolate, do you want it?”
“Why did you leave that…”
Seeing the siblings’ concerned eyes, Lee Jaehun struggled to maintain his composure.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. You guys eat it.”
They’re like annoying little chicks.
Though he wanted to scold the siblings for not understanding the importance of calories and not eating the chocolate, there were too many people watching, and Lee Jaehun was the main character. He tried his best to convey his concern behind his bitter expression.
Seeing Lee Jaehun’s words and expression, the siblings seemed to feel worried in return, and Dr. Ha Sungyoon shared the same sentiment.
“If you have the energy to worry about others, you should hurry up and get better, right?”
“……”
Lee Jaehun instinctively felt that responding would have the opposite effect.
Why is life so difficult like this?
* * *
HEL SCANS
[Translator – Jjescus]
[Proofreader – Demon God]
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