Chapter 50
When I checked my phone's recent call log, Cha Seung-pyo's name came up first.
Below that, my mom's name was pushed way down.
‘It's been a while since I last called.’
It’s too late now, but I should at least call my mom tomorrow to check in.
Pushing aside my bittersweet feelings, I called Cha Seung-pyo at the top of the list.
“Yes, Jeong Jik-han.”
Cha Seung-pyo’s voice came through after a short while.
“Team leader, could you look into something for me?”
“What is it?”
“It’s about S University Hospital’s medical records. Since it involves patient privacy, I can’t access it myself.”
“What is the patient’s name?” Jeong Jik-han asked while looking at Han Kang-hyuk.
“Mr. Han Kang-hyuk, could you tell me the name of the last patient you operated on?”
“Shim Sung-hak. He’s 54 years old and has been struggling with lung cancer.”
After relaying the information to Cha Seung-pyo, his calm voice replied, “Wait three minutes.”
With that, he hung up.
Can he really get Shim Sung-hak’s personal information in just three minutes?
He really is like a grim reaper when it comes to personal data.
As a brief silence fell, Kim Seok-hyun smirked and looked at Han Kang-hyuk.
“You really are a renowned doctor. Worrying about your patients until the very end?”
“Since I operated on them myself, it’s only natural for me as a doctor to want to see them leave the hospital healthy.”
“Haha! If there were more people like you, Dr. Han, there’d be no patients left in Korea!”
“Not everyone might feel this way, but most doctors share this sentiment. And I made a promise with Mr. Shim Sung-hak.”
Jeong Jik-han’s eyes twitched at Han Kang-hyuk’s words.
A promise with a patient?
Could this be his lingering attachment to this world?
Listening closely to Han Kang-hyuk, he took a sip of his caffè mocha and continued.
“He said he would quit smoking, but I’m not sure if he actually did.”
“Laughs That’s what you’re curious about?”
“It’s important to me. He underwent cancer treatment five years ago but ended up back in the hospital because he couldn’t quit smoking.”
“Ah.”
“Sigh He even has a genetic condition, yet he keeps smoking…”
Han Kang-hyuk frowned deeply.
His extreme dislike for seeing his patients’ health deteriorate piqued Jeong Jik-han’s curiosity.
It was admirable how he cared for his patients’ health as if they were family, even though it wasn’t his own body.
Just as Jeong Jik-han was about to ask about this, Kim Seok-hyun chimed in with a laugh:
“Laughs Don’t doctors need patients to make a living?”
It seemed Kim Seok-hyun shared Jeong Jik-han’s thoughts.
Han Kang-hyuk then replied with a dissatisfied expression:
“That may be true, but when you see someone you worked so hard to save end up back in the hospital because they didn’t listen to your advice, you wouldn’t say that.”
Hearing Han Kang-hyuk’s perspective made it easy to agree with him right away.
A patient who had been saved with all his strength but kept repeating actions they were told not to do and ended up back in the hospital—was this why people say humans don’t change?
Ding!
[You have heard the story of the deceased Han Kang-hyuk.]
[10 길 (吉) points have been provided.]
[The Deceased’s Story – 12]
Na-Han’s message appeared before Jeong Jik-han’s eyes.
Seeing it, he clenched his fist tightly.
The message about hearing the deceased’s story meant they had roughly figured out what Han Kang-hyuk’s lingering attachment was about.
‘So it really is related to his patient.’
Across from him, Kim Seok-hyun pouted his lower lip and slowly nodded before asking Han Kang-hyuk:
“By the way, Dr. Han, do you smoke?”
“I don’t have any genetic conditions or die from cancer.”
“Laughs Right, that makes sense.”
“And I only smoke one on my way home from work—I never smoke while working.”
Buzz—Buzz—
Soon after, Jeong Jik-han felt his phone vibrate and saw Cha Seung-pyo’s name appear again.
“Yes, team leader.”
“I found it. What information are you curious about?”
“He wants to know if Shim Sung-hak left the hospital healthy and if he quit smoking.”
“He left the hospital healthy and even attended Dr. Han Kang-hyuk’s funeral.”
After relaying Cha Seung-pyo’s words to Han Kang-hyuk, he scratched his forehead and said:
“Rather than asking if he attended my funeral, could you ask if he quit smoking?”
So that was what he was most curious about?
Switching the call to speakerphone, Jeong Jik-han asked about Shim Sung-hak’s smoking status.
Cha Seung-pyo checked the patient’s personal information and recounted what had happened step by step:
“It seems Shim Sung-hak started quitting smoking after Dr. Han passed away.”
“Is he still maintaining it?”
“Yes. He has been smoke-free for one year now. There is also something unusual…”
“What is it?”
“At the funeral home, he said: ‘Now there is no one left who can save me if I get cancer again. I hope Dr. Han rests peacefully in heaven. I am sorry for causing him so much trouble.’”
“…….”
Quitting smoking is something you do for life, but so far, it's been successful. He’s been consistently attending smoking cessation clinics. Has this been helpful?
As Cha Seung-pyo spoke, Han Kang-hyuk looked at him, and a faint light began to swirl in his heart.
The patient quitting smoking was his last lingering attachment to life.
‘What a truly regrettable person.’
It was heartbreaking that such a doctor had passed away from overwork.
After thanking Cha Seung-pyo and ending the call, Han Kang-hyuk crossed his arms and said,
“Now… the family of the psychiatric patient can rest easy too.”
“…”
“I’d like to rest too. Could I have a warm cup of black tea?”
Instead of answering, Jeong Ji-kan smiled faintly and nodded.
As Jeong Ji-kan went into the kitchen to prepare the tea, the conversation between Kim Seok-hyun and Han Kang-hyuk could be heard.
“Dr. Han, are you ready now?”
“Yes, I’ve been so curious I thought I’d die.”
“Haha! What would happen if someone who’s already dead died again?”
“Haha, that’s true.”
Han Kang-hyuk’s calm laughter echoed, followed by his final words to Kim Seok-hyun:
“I should go and rest first. And… thanks to you, Kim Seok-hyun’s guardian, it hasn’t been boring coming here.”
“I also enjoyed my time thanks to Dr. Han. It might sound repetitive, but thank you for saving my son. I’m truly grateful.”
“Yes, I hope Kim Seok-hyun can also let go of his heavy heart and move on to a better place.”
Even without seeing his face, it was clear Han Kang-hyuk was smiling brightly.
Soon after, the tea was ready, and Jeong Ji-kan handed him a teacup with floral patterns.
“Your black tea is ready.”
Han Kang-hyuk stared at the tea intently before speaking with a faint smile.
“I never realized how precious the simple luxury of a cup of tea was in life…”
“…”
“Jeong Ji-kan, take care of your health, and no matter how busy you are, make sure to get enough rest while working.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“It’s hard to see patients suffering, but what doctors find hardest is seeing their families.”
“…”
“Losing your health doesn’t just ruin your own life—it ruins the lives of those who love and care for you deeply.”
At Han Kang-hyuk’s words, Jeong Ji-kan thought of his mother and younger sister Jeong Soo-hye.
When he had been buried under rubble and his heart stopped for two minutes, they had rushed from Gyeonggi Province to Seoul in an instant.
Clenching his lips tightly and nodding slightly, Han Kang-hyuk spoke with a faint smile:
“Think of the person who comes to mind now… Stay healthy for them.”
“I understand, Doctor.”
“And… take good care of your younger sister. Doctors know others’ pain but often ignore their own.”
“Yes, Doctor.”
“I hope your sister becomes a great doctor.”
“Thank you.”
Han Kang-hyuk closed his eyes gently and sipped the warm tea.
The taste and aroma seemed pleasant as a smile spread across his lips.
Not long after, a dazzling light enveloped his entire body, and with a flash of light, he ascended to the heavens.
Ding—!
[The deceased Han Kang-hyuk has achieved enlightenment.]
[Han Kang-hyuk, a renowned doctor who dedicated more than half his life to patients, has entered his sabbatical.]
[He has departed to a place where there is no pain or sorrow.]
[Jeong Ji-kan of KarMa Entertainment has been rewarded for assisting in his enlightenment.]
[800 Gil (吉) have been awarded.]
Watching the falling specks of light, Jeong Ji-kan thought:
May he rest in peace in a place filled with happiness rather than thoughts of patients and their families—a place full of peace and tranquility.
He prayed for Han Kang-hyuk’s well-being.
Looking at Kim Seok-hyun beside him, he saw him gazing at the falling light with a contented smile, as if sincerely wishing for Han Kang-hyuk’s peace.
Soon after, Kim Seok-hyun forced a hearty laugh:
“Haha! Now I won’t have anyone to talk to… I’ll be so bored…”
“You should also move on to a better place.”
“Unfortunately, I really don’t know what lingering attachments I have left.”
His expression turned bitter—perhaps seeing Han Kang-hyuk leave had stirred many thoughts?
It seemed he hadn’t considered leaving this world until now because he had always been with Han Kang-hyuk.
Just by sensing Han Kang-hyuk’s absence, it was clear how much they had relied on each other.
With a faint smile, Jeong Ji-kan said:
“You don’t need to feel anxious about it… I’ll help you from here on out.”
“Having our boss help me feels reassuring. Thank you.”
“It might not be good for me to pressure you unnecessarily—why don’t you take your time thinking about it today?”
“Alright. I’ll think it over carefully and come back here later to ask again.”
Kim Seok-hyun picked up the mug from the counter and walked toward the window—most customers liked sitting by the window; perhaps sitting in warmth while watching the chilly scenery outside brought them comfort?
‘Just differences in preference.’
Jeong Ji-kan also liked sitting by the window without reason but didn’t dwell on it deeply.
As he sipped an Americano slowly, he reflected:
‘Overwork… How much must someone work without rest before dying from overwork?
Though young now might seem fine—but someday age would catch up; every part would ache eventually.
Especially someone like himself, who took on tough tasks during youth—his body would break down piece by piece.
Even past thirty, playing felt like work—what more when older?
Once believed chasing happiness wholeheartedly was key—but gradually realized happiness wasn’t chased after all.
Only seen when paused; grasped when reached out toward.
Like artists chasing inspiration, never finding until becoming inspiration themselves—happiness found daily instead.
Must live taking sufficient rests as advised by late Dr. Han.
Must ensure younger sister doesn’t meet same fate too.’
At 3 AM, after the last customers had left, Jeong Ji-kan opened his notebook to organize tasks.
Personal matters included visiting the lottery headquarters tomorrow and buying stocks he’d eyed once the prize money arrived.
He hesitated about telling his mother and sister about the win—waiting longer or not telling at all seemed better, since they’d likely oppose stock investments.
Web drama Season 2 filming still had some time left. Dream Tree Entertainment hadn’t scheduled other shoots yet—perhaps they’d tied him to possibilities early or couldn’t find a project to actively push him into.
No need to think about urgent matters.
Still, lingering concerns remained…
“Undercover inspector…”
Facing divine beings might require advance preparation.
Possessing a goblin token while seeking shamans could be seen as threatening—alternative methods were needed.
‘Should I research Korean folklore?’
Yes. Reading books on goblins, ghosts, and monsters would help.
Tomorrow: collect the lottery prize and visit a nearby bookstore.
Whatever he learned would be useful.
Closing the notebook, Jeong Ji-kan stretched. Tired, but the thought of the first-place lottery ticket in his pocket renewed his energy.
With final determination, he began closing the shop.
