Soon, the door to a large room inside the building opened.
Bang.
Inside, it had been set up as an operating room.
Judging by the lights turning on, the electricity seemed to be properly connected.
That was all he had time to glance at.
Taesu focused even more on carefully lifting the stretcher onto the operating table.
"Set her down here for now."
"Got it. But still, operating just like this…. Huh?"
Bred Kim, who had been showing concern, opened his eyes wide at the medical equipment behind Taesu.
It was an ultrasound machine.
It was so outdated that the monitor used CRT technology.
It didn't matter.
The mere fact that it existed was what mattered.
Whether because he hadn't expected it at all, Bred Kim's expression turned blank.
"Uh, uh…. Wow."
"So this was the 'special support' they were talking about."
"It's a relic. Straight out of the Paleolithic era."
"It works, right? Minsu."
When Taesu called, Jeong Minsu, who had followed him in, hopped over to the ultrasound machine.
"I'll turn it on right now."
Click. Zing.
The machine whirred to life with a low hum.
Jeong Minsu then pulled the machine over and positioned it next to Taesu.
Meanwhile, Taesu was busy observing the child.
Perhaps because the painkillers were starting to take effect, her face relaxed slightly.
Just then, Kim Hyeokgwon and the middle-aged man arrived.
Tap-tap-tap.
Among them, Kim Hyeokgwon asked with a puzzled expression.
"Why here all of a sudden?"
Taesu put off answering and asked for an interpretation.
"Tell her to straighten her body only as much as it doesn't hurt."
"What…."
"Quickly."
"^#$%."
Pressed by Taesu, Kim Hyeokgwon quickly interpreted.
Perhaps because the pain had lessened enough for her to be aware of her surroundings, the child looked around cautiously.
Moreover, since the place was full of strangers, tears even began to flow.
But then, the middle-aged man approached the child.
"@#$%#@#"
Swish.
He lightly stroked her head and said something.
At that, the child's tension eased and she began to relax her body.
Seeing that, Kim Hyeokgwon spoke in sullen Korean.
"He is her father, after all."
"Shh."
"Yes. I'll keep my mouth shut."
Despite his words, he continued to grumble.
Taesu stopped paying attention and picked up the probe.
Squeak.
Jeong Minsu squirted gel on top of it.
Whoosh.
Bred Kim rolled up the child's clothes.
Though not a single word was spoken, they moved in perfect sync.
It was not the time to be pleased about that.
Taesu immediately placed the probe on her abdomen.
"Let's see here. No, let's see quickly."
It was not just Taesu's wish.
Everyone's gaze was fully fixed on the ultrasound monitor.
Soon, something white appeared faintly on the black screen.
Everyone stared holes into the monitor.
But Taesu's expression gradually furrowed. The idea to use ultrasound had been good, but he lacked the eye to judge and analyze it.
It seemed he needed more time to master it.
'Damn.'
It was precisely when he was inwardly flustered.
Bred Kim, who had been examining it carefully alongside him, suddenly shouted sharply.
"Wait, there."
"Here?"
"Yeah, damn it. It's appendicitis.
His features scrunched up.
But Taesu and Jeong Minsu opened their eyes wide in confusion.
"An appendectomy isn't that difficult."
"There. Look there. Part of it ruptured. It's already leaking everywhere, and ascites is spreading."
At those words, Taesu quickly asked.
"In just three days?"
"I find that strange too. Looking at this, it doesn't even seem acute."
"Could it be that folk remedy?"
Taesu chewed over the conversation they had had outside.
At that moment, Bred Kim sighed, striking his fist against his palm.
Smack.
"Yeah. That's it. That's what made it worse."
"Damn."
Taesu's expression grew extremely serious.
But Jeong Minsu wore an expression that showed he didn't understand Taesu at all.
"But isn't this still within an okay range?"
"Is this a hospital?"
"No."
"Then is it an NGO camp?
"Not at all. Uh, uh? Oh."
Jeong Minsu seemed to finally sense the severity.
Sensing the strange atmosphere, Kim Hyeokgwon quickly asked.
"Why? What exactly is the problem?"
"Her appendix burst, and fluid is filling her abdominal cavity."
"Then drain the water."
"Yes. We can drain it. But if we don't cut her open right here and remove the cause as quickly as possible, we might have to drink again tonight."
Taesu deliberately circled around the latter part of his words.
No one was unaware of what he meant.
Kim Hyeokgwon's expression had also turned stiff.
"We have to operate immediately?"
"Right this instant. But…."
Taesu couldn't continue.
Bred Kim, who had been listening quietly, added a bit more calmly.
"Success isn't guaranteed. Because look here."
"Huh? Her stomach."
"It's slightly swollen. And in such a short time. The fact that it's progressing this fast means the surgery is that much more dangerous."
Bred Kim explained it in easily understandable terms, befitting his long experience working in NGOs.
Kim Hyeokgwon seemed to understand completely, and his irritation vanished in a flash.
"Damn. Fucking hell."
"If we're really being cold about it, fifty-fifty?"
Bred Kim cautiously gave his prognosis.
For a moment, Kim Hyeokgwon's expression hardened.
"Fifty-fifty. Dr. Choi, same opinion?"
"Bred's opinion is probably more accurate than mine."
"I agree too."
Jeong Minsu, who had been listening quietly, also sided with Bred Kim.
Having heard everyone's thoughts, Kim Hyeokgwon spoke with a serious face.
"Then what should I interpret now?"
"We have to tell them the situation accurately first."
"Should I just say your daughter is going to die?"
"Please tell them the truth."
Taesu wanted Kim Hyeokgwon, who was still being contrary, to interpret exactly as it was.
Perhaps reading that sincere gaze, Kim Hyeokgwon spoke in a sullen voice.
"Don't look at me like that. It makes me go soft."
"Just talk to them first."
"Let's do that. Just a moment."
Kim Hyeokgwon turned toward the middle-aged man.
Bred Kim and Jeong Minsu watched and exchanged words.
"Seeing how that man acts, I want to wash our hands of this."
"But seeing the child's face, my heart weakens again."
"……."
Taesu simply listened and stayed quiet.
A rapid conversation was going back and forth between Kim Hyeokgwon and the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man, his eyes bloodshot red, suddenly grabbed Kim Hyeokgwon by the collar.
"Kuk."
"Uh."
Everyone watched in surprise.
Then Kim Hyeokgwon struck the middle-aged man's shin.
Thwack.
"Aaack."
It happened in an instant.
Free from the middle-aged man, Kim Hyeokgwon rubbed his throat and growled.
"He's really pushing his luck."
"Mr. Hyeokgwon."
"Do you know what that bastard is saying? He's telling us to save her no matter what."
"……."
Taesu listened in silence.
He thought that, as a father's heart, this much forcefulness was entirely possible.
But Kim Hyeokgwon wasn't finished and continued.
"He also said if anything happens, he'll kick us out of the village."
"What?"
"Sarubia? I think that's the kid's name. Anyway, he said if anything happens to Sarubia, he'll make sure we can't treat the villagers by whatever means necessary."
Kim Hyeokgwon glared at the middle-aged man again with contempt.
It was understandable.
This was a threat.
A threat using other people's health and lives as collateral.
Taesu, as well as Bred Kim and Jeong Minsu, grew sharp.
"What the hell."
"That guy is really too much."
Are doctors gods?
You can't save someone just because you're ordered to unconditionally.
Kim Hyeokgwon seemed to have something to say on that matter and growled low.
"Let's just pull out entirely."
"……."
"Let's throw our hands up. If we don't touch her, we didn't kill her."
Taesu suppressed his extreme remark.
"Mr. Hyeokgwon."
"Didn't you hear what I'm saying? You think I'm running my mouth on my own? I'm relaying exactly what that pig bastard said."
"Hmph."
"We're not the ones begging to be treated. They called us here and now they're acting like this—does that make sense?"
Kim Hyeokgwon spat out his inner thoughts exactly as they were.
Honestly, he had a point.
Taesu's gaze turned to Bred Kim and Jeong Minsu.
Bred barely opened his mouth with a deeply displeased expression.
"Dr. Choi, decide for yourself."
"I just wish you'd make a rational choice rather than an emotional one."
They each spoke a word embodying their position.
It didn't play a major role in Taesu's decision.
It merely confirmed that the choice was ultimately Taesu's to make.
Taesu's gaze turned to the child.
Sarubia.
The moment he heard the name, a deep wound in his heart ached. No wonder Kim Hyeokgwon was so emotional.
His eyes met the child's.
Blink.
Her large eyes blinked widely.
Tears welled up in the child's eyes.
Thanks to the painkillers, the pain was subsiding.
That was the problem.
She was old enough to fully understand the conversation right now.
Sarubia clearly knew what was wrong and how the situation was unfolding.
As proof, she was wrapping her arms around her stomach again.
Hiding it as if her own pain were something wrong.
"so……. rry, so……."
She repeated the same word in broken English.
Even that she whispered furtively, as if watching for reactions.
Taesu had in fact already made his decision.
No matter what the father did, the one in pain was still a young girl.
He had no intention of turning away from that pain.
Swish.
Taesu turned and spoke to Kim Hyeokgwon.
"Please tell them we'll operate."
"Even after hearing that, you're talking about operating?"
"This is separate."
"Ah, forget it. I'll say we can't."
Kim Hyeokgwon cut him off cleanly.
In fact, Kim Hyeokgwon was the only one who could interpret.
If he intentionally interpreted in a strange way, it could cause misunderstandings between them.
He hadn't done so until now, but the problem was that he was about to try at this very moment.
Before his mouth opened, Taesu spoke up.
"Her name is Sarubia?"
"So what?"
"It's a name I've heard often."
Leaving it at that, Taesu made Kim Hyeokgwon flinch.
"Wh-what are you trying to say?"
"I'm just saying."
"Gosh, seriously."
Just as Kim Hyeokgwon was about to get choked up, Taesu spoke.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a doctor."
"Phew. You're really piling on the hardships triple-fold."
"If it were only hardships, that would be fine. This time, it needs to be a different result. Otherwise, I think it'll still be sad, just a little less so."
"What are you saying? What do I know? I don't know, I don't know."
Kim Hyeokgwon burst out.
It meant he knew but was pretending not to.
Just as their opinions were about to converge as one.
Whether the pain in his shin had subsided or not, the middle-aged man tried to lunge again.
"Uwaaack."
It was an act of desperation.
Taesu and Kim Hyeokgwon noticed it simultaneously.
"Isn't he going too far?"
"Is he crazy?"
And they moved with the same reaction speed.
Thwack, crack. Snap.
Lightning seemed to flash in an instant.