Swish!
Jeong Minsu's broad, flat face approached right up to his nose.
"Tae-su."
Startled by the sight, Tae-su quickly pulled his phone away and shouted.
"You scared me! I'm on a call!"
"They said we're leaving in three hours."
"That's huge news. Wait, so we meet over there? Oho. So where are we going?"
Tae-su racked his brain, then asked with a deep smile.
But Jeong Minsu's answer was a bit awkward.
"Kachu-ri? It's some place name, and there……"
Jeong Minsu tried to add more.
But Tae-su couldn't wait and immediately told Raku.
"Raku, we're being dispatched to an area called Kachu-ri in three hours. How about we meet you there?"
"Where did you say?"
"Kachu-ri. No, Kkatoori?"
It was a place name Tae-su was also hearing for the first time, so he couldn't be sure.
At that moment, Raku's voice came through extremely shaken.
"That's the Azad region."
"Oh, I've heard a lot about Azad."
"Jammu, Azad. That Azad."
When Raku spelled it out, Tae-su's thoughts came to a momentary halt.
"W-wait a moment. Do you mean Azad Kashmir, the Pakistani military region?"
"Yes. Besides, it's quite a remote area, so it'll take at least two days from Jammu."
"More importantly, you're saying it really is Pakistani military territory?"
"I'm certain."
Raku seemed to have gathered herself; the trembling in her voice lessened considerably.
But Tae-su hadn't.
Swish.
He looked at Jeong Minsu with a blank expression and asked.
"Minsu, it's Azad?"
"Yeah. That's what they said."
"Oh, I see…… No wait, they said we can go there?"
Tae-su asked with complicated feelings.
The answer to that came not from Jeong Minsu but from Kim Hyeok-gwon.
"What do you think this is, South and North Korea? To civilians, Jammu and Azad are one country."
"Weren't we not allowed to cross over?"
"Then why would Malnoi be a border city? It just means a city close to the borderline."
"I hadn't thought of it that way."
Tae-su had calmed down a little, but still seemed confused.
This was a side effect of Korea's painful history.
Having been in a situation where North and South were divided, he couldn't easily conceive of crossing a border.
Kim Hyeok-gwon seemed to understand somewhat, speaking to Tae-su as if soothing him.
"We're going as an NGO. Even if North and South draw a line, we can cross it, can't we?"
"You're right. That's not a problem then."
"But I think we'll need to calculate the time carefully."
Kim Hyeok-gwon had already grasped the situation and even gave Tae-su a hint.
Tae-su also put his mind to work and understood immediately.
And combining it with the previous information, he asked Raku.
"Raku, you said it would take about two days for us to meet in Kachu-ri?"
"I'm fine. I'll make sure the original schedule isn't disrupted as much as possible."
"That's not what I'm talking about. The problem is a patient who only knows their diagnosis being moved by vehicle for two days."
When Tae-su pointed it out precisely, Raku's voice of apology came through.
"Oh, I'm sorry for misunderstanding."
"We know each other well enough. Let's just let that go now."
"Then, um…… I don't think we'll be able to reduce the travel time."
"How long does it take from Jammu to the medical camp here?"
When Tae-su immediately asked, Raku's answer came after a slight pause.
"……If we leave now, we can arrive at dawn."
"We send the advance team first, then operate and leave as the second team……"
It wasn't a bad schedule adjustment.
Besides, at dawn the surgical tent would be on break.
If they got permission in advance and operated, it could be resolved cleanly.
"Good. Dawn is possible."
The specific plan could be read from Tae-su's muttering and expression.
Even the tactless Jeong Minsu caught that.
"You mean we operate at dawn and leave as the second team in the morning."
"Isn't it possible?"
"Can't we just ask the people here?"
Jeong Minsu's idea might have been simpler and more rational.
But there was a reason they couldn't do that.
Kim Hyeok-gwon poked his side and said it.
"Big city patients aren't under NGO jurisdiction, are they?"
"We can just say no."
"You don't know they inspect and monitor moving vehicles everywhere? Besides, the PKO has reconnaissance satellites and surveillance aircraft up."
Kim Hyeok-gwon emphasized that this was a war zone.
Using all surveillance means to track enemy movements during war was basic.
Eventually, it would be revealed that the patient came from Jammu.
That could be a considerable problem for the NGO.
It could be compared to an NGO setting up shop in the middle of Seoul under the guise of free medical service.
Hospitals and doctors in Jammu would collectively rebel and protest.
Then the NGO's position would diminish.
That was why this situation was difficult.
Then Tae-su spoke into his phone with a determined expression.
"Raku, take Mr. Hanto and the child and depart for the medical camp."
"Is that alright? Will you be okay?"
"If it doesn't work out, we can just pitch a separate tent in front of the medical camp and operate. Screw it!"
Tae-su pushed forward boldly without overthinking it.
At that vigorous voice, Raku's voice brightened as well.
"Yes. Okay. I understand. I'll send a message when we depart. Thank you!"
"Pack up quickly. Goodbye."
Only then could Tae-su put down his phone.
It was a call that had drained his mind with voices ringing from everywhere.
But he wasn't given a moment to gather his thoughts.
Jeong Minsu immediately asked with a face full of worry.
"Tae-su, are you going to operate outside?"
"That would be difficult. It's liver enlargement and gallstones."
"Then it could get quite difficult if we do it here."
Jeong Minsu's worry was only natural.
It was normal to try to stop him from causing an accident that could shake the NGO's position.
But Tae-su thought simply.
"If they really say something, I'll just say I made her my foster daughter."
"Huh?"
"Medical staff family surgeries are free regardless of where they live."
"Well…… aren't you thinking too simply?"
Kim Hyeok-gwon agreed with Jeong Minsu.
"I think so too."
"They picked a fight with us first."
"Who picked…… surely you don't mean us?"
When Kim Hyeok-gwon looked at him puzzled, Tae-su nodded.
"Yes. They treated precious personnel carelessly, so I'm also going all out."
"That's a very different case."
"Then what do you want me to do? Should I just leave that father watching his child suffer from symptoms similar to his mother's to slowly crumble?"
Tae-su's voice rose slightly.
At that moment, both Kim Hyeok-gwon's and Jeong Minsu's eyes shook greatly.
If they hadn't experienced what they had, they could have been more cold-hearted.
If they knew nothing, they could have turned a blind eye.
But they had seen, heard, and experienced too many people's stories.
The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.
As if shaking off that weight, Kim Hyeok-gwon's characteristic deadpan voice was heard.
"This is why I don't think about getting married."
"Do you hate kids?"
"No. If I had a daughter, I think I'd devote my life to her. Sigh. If my daughter is precious, so is someone else's daughter."
Kim Hyeok-gwon casually displayed his assent.
Immediately after, Jeong Minsu got stuck on a strange point and spoke.
"I want to date first, before thinking about daughters."
"Minsu, that child is five years old."
"What are you talking about? That's not it…… Whatever, long live our daughter!"
Jeong Minsu also roughly gave his assent.
Their expressions were awkward, but their hearts bled the same.
Now that it was decided they would operate, it was Tae-su's time to step up.
"Going against the rules of the world—it's strangely thrilling at times like this."
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips.
It was a unique smile that appeared the moment his rebellious spirit activated.
His actions were as swift as his decision.
Tae-su and the other two immediately left for their quarters.
Thud. Thud.
Their footsteps were surprisingly vigorous.
It was right as they moved from the headquarters building to the medical camp.
Tae-su spoke first.
"I'm going to find James."
"Then I'll go to Dr. Schmidt's medical tent."
"It's already evening, so I'll go for a walk."
Tae-su immediately looked at Kim Hyeok-gwon and asked.
"A walk?"
"At times like this, mental stability is important. I'll check the fences, and ask after the soldiers managing the entrances and exits."
Kim Hyeok-gwon stopped there.
At that moment, Tae-su felt something strong enough to make his eyes sparkle.
"Hehe. Will you need a drink for your walk?"
"When the body moves, operational costs naturally occur."
"Of course. I'd like to cover today's walking expenses."
"If you give it, I'll take it."
Thud.
When Kim Hyeok-gwon boldly held out his hand, Tae-su gave it without hesitation.
"Here you go."
"Hoo. Looks like it'll be a generous walk."
"Have a pleasant time."
"Yes. I'll be off first."
Thud, thud.
Kim Hyeok-gwon gradually moved away with relaxed steps.
Tae-su felt like applauding that retreating figure.
'Hyeok-gwon is truly a treasure.'
The more he experienced, the more roles he fulfilled.
It was like buying a used car and finding out it was a luxury classic car.
And he was the real deal as a person too.
The phrase "jack of all trades" seemed to have been made for Kim Hyeok-gwon.
As he was admiring him thus.
Jeong Minsu came close and fidgeted as he spoke.
"I want walking money too."
"What?"
"I'm going for a walk too, so give me pocket money."
Swish.
Jeong Minsu shyly and carefully held out his hand.
Tae-su's refreshed mind suddenly began to throb.
"Hey, what am I going to do with you?"
"It's okay. I only need a little."
"……Fine. Here. I'll give it and go. Happy?"
Smack.
Tae-su gave it to him irritably and immediately moved.
As he was distancing himself from Jeong Minsu.
Suddenly, Jeong Minsu's irritated shout came from behind.
"Hey, one dollar is too little no matter what!"
"……."
Swish, swish.
Tae-su waved his hand and brushed it off.
Thus the three scattered and set out to solve their individual tasks.
First, Tae-su quietly informed James of the situation.
James didn't hesitate.
"Use my surgical tent."
"Thank you. And I'm sorry for acting on my own."
"I suspected Dr. Choi wouldn't just leave one way or another."
"This isn't the direction I wanted, but this is better. Hehe."
"Hehe. It would be."
Tae-su and James let out similar laughs.
At the same time.
Jeong Minsu was meeting Yun Ju-seong.
"……So you can depart first."
"That doesn't matter. But it's been a while since we've worked together."
"I've been waiting a long time too."
"It'll be quite different from Padum."
Yun Ju-seong showed confidence.
Jeong Minsu wasn't inferior either.
"You'll know as soon as we arrive. If you get scared, you can give up now."
"Hehe. Let's open the lid and see who falls over first."
Just as the two were about to smile.
Jo Uncheol approached Yun Ju-seong and spoke his thoughts.
"We'll need an anesthesiologist."
"Then show us properly, Mr. Jo."
"I'll give you my thoughts after seeing Mr. Jeong and Mr. Choi's jaws drop."
Jo Uncheol's tone was unusually aggressive compared to before.
It felt spirited, a tone brimming with confidence.
It seemed he had developed his own know-how to that extent.