PAHO 78

Sitting in the waiting area, Nam Gyeonhwa checked the issued bill again. He had heard that the Nakdo Medical Center, focusing on trauma emergencies and drug detoxification, was much more expensive than regular hospitals. He had been prepared to pay at least a million won for the night emergency visit, use of a bed, IV drip, various tests, medication, and so on, but contrary to his expectations, the amount charged to Nam Gyeonhwa was not even a few hundred thousand won. Considering the possibility that Yeo Eunjae or another staff member had made a mistake in the midst of their busy work, he checked with an employee once more, but the response came back that there was no error in the billed amount.

‘Looking at the statement, it says you’re listed as a member of the Special Guard, Mr. Gyeonhwa. The Special Guard receives preferential rates for medical expenses.’

Nakdo was a lawless place where one never knew what might happen, as there was no direct intervention from public authorities. There was even a statute that stated that even if an accident involving hundreds of lives occurred, the responsibility would be placed on the residents of Nakdo and the city council would not be held accountable. Therefore, the role of the Special Guard organized by the Wiyeonggwan was quite significant in maintaining the special district of Nakdo. So, while the benefit of medical expense support for the Special Guard was understandable, Nam Gyeonhwa couldn’t shake a strange feeling.

A little beggar kid, the oldest resident of the orphanage, a trainee in a mercenary group, prisoner number 6690. Unlike those, the identity of a Special Guard member, even if limited to Nakdo, was respectable and had a clear purpose. Even if it was just a medical benefit, it was an unfamiliar experience for him, who had only been named as a non-standard existence that couldn’t be presented.

“Hyung!”

In the meantime, Nam Haejin, who had been to the pharmacy, came running over, clutching a medicine bag. A nurse who had become familiar with him thanks to their weekly meetings smiled brightly and greeted him. Nam Gyeonhwa, who responded with a nod as always, glanced at Nam Haejin sitting on a chair and munching on a candy, then carefully lowered his voice.

“By any chance, is there still no word from the medical center?”

“Ah…. Yes, unfortunately, that’s the case.”

The nurse sighed as if frustrated. There was still no reply to the support application submitted to the National Medical Center through Yeo Eunjae last month. He was aware from the news that the National Medical Center had announced it could not accept more rare pediatric patients due to a shortage of personnel, including clinical researchers, but it was a situation that was bound to be disappointing in many ways. Still, it was something that he could continue Nam Haejin’s treatment on a post-payment basis. Moreover, the condition of Nam Haejin’s respiratory tract and lungs had recorded the most normal values among recent tests.

“Still, Doctor Yeo is looking into it in various ways. You’ll hear good news soon.”

“Yes, thank you as always.”

After thanking the nurse, Nam Gyeonhwa looked back at Nam Haejin, who had been waiting quietly for the conversation to end.

“Hyung, hyung, look at this.”

What he proudly showed was a toothbrush and a rinse cup with a cute dinosaur drawn on it. Nam Gyeonhwa smiled brightly.

“Wow, that’s cute. Where did you get it?”

“Yeah, the pharmacist gave it to me. It’s a commendable child award for taking my medicine well and greeting people well.”

It seemed he had stayed at the pharmacy longer than usual, and it looked like he had been thoroughly doted on by the pharmacist and nurses. For them, who were accustomed to the fierce faces of a 50-something mid-level executive who had drunk himself silly and 30-something gambling addicts who had been brought in side-by-side after a fight broke out, young Nam Haejin must have seemed quite cute.

As he was coming out to the entrance, Nam Gyeonhwa noticed a familiar car. Gwon Seong-a, who had rolled down the car window, waved happily. Nam Haejin, who had tensed up at the appearance of a stranger wearing sunglasses, glanced at Nam Gyeonhwa’s expression. It was a habit of trying to distinguish whether a person was safe or not.

“CEO Gwon Seong-a.”

Nam Gyeonhwa deliberately took a step forward and called him in a gentle tone. Gwon Seong-a smiled.

“What are you doing at the medical center at this hour?”

“I had a little business to take care of. What brings you here, CEO?”

“Ah, I came to see Yeo Eunjae, the director here, for a moment.”

“Doctor Yeo?”

“Yes, for a sleeping pill prescription.”

Sleeping pills. Nam Gyeonhwa recalled the small white pill Gwon Seong-a had handed him before. He had thought it was a simple sleeping pill, but considering he was drunk at the time, it was a drug with a sedative effect strong enough to knock out a healthy adult in a short time. Setting aside the fact that it wasn’t easily available on the market, it was a rather dangerous item for the CEO of an ordinary aesthetic shop to be carrying around. Then again, seeing as he frequented Nakdo, it seemed unlikely he was a person limited to skincare and beauty expertise.

“By the way, who’s the cutie next to you? Is it by any chance the younger brother I’ve only heard about, Mr. Gyeonhwa?”

Gwon Seong-a’s gaze, which had been fixed on the serene face, moved down to the side. Nam Gyeonhwa nodded a beat later.

“Ah, yes. He is my younger brother.”

“So it was true.”

Gwon Seong-a got out of the car and slowly approached Nam Haejin. Taking off his sunglasses, he squatted down to meet his eyes.

“Hello, what’s your name?”

After glancing at Nam Gyeonhwa for a moment, Nam Haejin finally opened his mouth.

“…Nam Haejin.”

“Haejin. That’s a pretty name. How old are you?”

“Seven years old.”

“Seven? Then you’ll be starting school next year.”

He was surprisingly short for his age, about to start school soon. Gwon Seong-a, who feigned indifference with a faint smile, looked up at Nam Gyeonhwa while still squatting.

“Are you preparing for a school district in Seoul?”

“Yes, of course I am.”

There was no need for further words. It was the reason and purpose for which he had scraped together money for seven years to apply for citizenship. To enable Nam Haejin to live as an ordinary and normal person.

“There must be a lot to prepare if he’s going to attend elementary school in Seoul. Has he mastered the basics of Hangul?”

“…By basics, do you mean things like speaking, listening, and writing?”

“Yes, these days they all do it before they start. Is his English good? Is he learning any other foreign languages besides English?”

At those words, Nam Gyeonhwa’s face clouded over with difficulty. Seeing his attitude, which clearly showed he hadn’t accurately grasped the curriculum, Gwon Seong-a clicked her tongue inwardly. It was true that only Seoul parents would teach a preschool child a second foreign language in addition to Hangul and English. However, to attend a school in the Seoul area, he had to match the level of progress to some extent. Sometimes, children who were not prepared in advance were often transferred to alternative schools due to complaints that they were disrupting the class. It was cruel, but it was reality.

“Haejin, by any chance, can you speak English besides Hangul?”

“English? I only know the names of dinosaurs, birds, and whales a little bit….”

“So you like dinosaurs and animals. Anyway, you still know some. That’s amazing. Did you memorize them by reading books on your own?”

After thinking for a moment, Nam Haejin nodded. Even if he only knew a few words, to be able to memorize them by reading books on his own, he could only be seen as quite smart compared to the average of his peers.

“If you like books, would it be okay if this lady gave you a book as a gift?”

“Why?”

“Just because. I like giving gifts. If it’s okay, I’ll get permission from your hyung and send it to your house. Okay?”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Gwon Seong-a stared intently at Nam Haejin’s bowed face. Even though it was the first time seeing his face, it felt strangely familiar. He definitely resembled someone, but it was vague. Standing up, he brushed the dirt off his skirt.

“The books will be sent by quick service later. Even if they’re new, they’re ones that were returned due to dents or spine defects, so you can read them without worrying too much.”

“Thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal next time, CEO.”

“A meal? That sounds great. For your information, I’m a big eater. You’d better be prepared.”

Gwon Seong-a, who replied playfully, nodded his head in greeting and slowly walked up the stairs. Suddenly turning around, Gwon Seong-a looked at the two brothers walking side by side toward the bus stop. His eyes were particularly fixed on the smaller figure.

Around the time news of autumn foliage viewing at Seoraksan Mountain decorated the end of the news, the Autumn Grand Tournament was also just around the corner. The places where tourists frequented were adorned with lights more spectacular than ever before, and flags bearing the name of the Wiyeonggwan and the date of the event fluttered. On the Wiyeonggwan’s exclusive channel, which only broadcasted in Nakdo, detailed information regarding the participation conditions and ticket sales for the Autumn Grand Tournament was aired 24 hours a day.

As thousands of people flocked in daily, houses built here and there were temporarily operated as long-term accommodations exclusively for foreign tourists. The Wiyeonggwan was also included among the places used as lodging. As it was built to allow the upper class, who could spend over a thousand dollars a night without hesitation, to stay comfortably during the Autumn Grand Tournament, it was particularly sought after by customers who wanted to enjoy both entertainment and the tournament at the same time.

“Ah, what, there’s so much.”

Na Taebeom, who was flipping through a pile of documents with a bored face and signing them, finally threw his pen onto the desk. The operations manager, who was waiting for his approval by his side, swallowed dryly. He was momentarily tense, fearing that the sparks might fly his way, but fortunately, Na Taebeom restrained his complaints to throwing the pen. As the Wiyeonggwan was bustling with visitors, he, who had all the responsibility and authority for supervision, was bound to get busy.

“So what’s the point.”

“So, the list of participating athletes, which closed for registration last month, has been changed. The active Chilean athlete who had previously expressed his intention to participate could not come due to a visa issue, leaving a vacancy. Yesterday morning, a new athlete applied to participate. And this, is his profile.”

The operations manager pushed the tablet computer that was on the edge of the table in front of him.

“He is a domestic national, and is said to be quite famous in the unofficial fighting tournaments that have been popular in South America recently.”

“You know. That kind of record is common in this field.”

Among the participants who flocked to win the prize money of over a billion won, there were champions of famous tournaments, and there were also former members of the US Marine Corps Special Forces. In such a situation, a record of flying high in a mere unofficial fighting tournament was nothing but cliché. The face in the profile picture on the screen was brutish even at a glance. Na Taebeom, who was looking down at the face indifferently, checked the special notes written next to the picture.

“Released from Yanggang Prison seven years ago?”