Chapter 9

Chapter 009: Force Majeure (6)

Jae-sik answered the paramedic's question.

Oh, Min-ah. You're finally here. Hee-soo did everything.

Hee-soo did?

Min-ah looked surprised.

But the emergency treatment is practically perfect!

What's the patient's condition?

Wait, he even performed endotracheal intubation?

Did you guys have all this equipment with you?

Jae-sik shook his head.

I don't really know the details about the equipment.

But he performed intubation to maintain the patient's breathing.

Then the patient went into cardiac arrest, so Hee-soo immediately started CPR.

After about three minutes, his heart started beating again.

While Jae-sik was explaining the situation, Hee-soo approached and provided a more detailed report.

The patient was unconscious due to hypoxia, and his spontaneous breathing was extremely weak, so I performed endotracheal intubation.

I also connected him to a mechanical ventilator.

During treatment, he went into cardiac arrest, so I immediately began CPR.

At the moment, he appears to have recovered somewhat from the oxygen deprivation.

His oxygen saturation was around fifty percent earlier, putting him in critical condition. However, it's now recovered to seventy-eight percent.

His heart has only recently started beating again, so he's still in a dangerous condition. There's no telling when he might go into cardiac arrest again.

My biggest concern is that we don't know how long he was deprived of oxygen. There's no way to determine how much damage his brain may have suffered.

Furthermore, we still don't know what kind of gases were present inside that chamber, so we can't determine whether he's suffering from toxic gas poisoning.

Thank you. That should be enough information.

Min-ah looked at him.

Would you like to come with us?

Hee-soo shook his head.

No. I need to stay at the scene.

Understood. Then we'll leave immediately.

Without even waiting for another response, Min-ah quickly closed the ambulance's rear doors and climbed inside.

However, Hee-soo still hadn't received a rescue completion notification on his phone.

Looks like he hasn't completely escaped death yet.

After working so desperately to save the young man, Hee-soo couldn't help feeling disappointed.

About fifteen minutes later, the other firefighters finally emerged from the chamber with the remaining two workers.

Cheers and cries of relief erupted from the people waiting nearby.

Mr. Park! You're alive! Thank goodness!

The two rescued workers appeared to have very little strength remaining in their arms and legs.

Still wearing their oxygen masks, they could barely manage to shake their heads.

However, the worker who had recovered slightly more strength turned toward one of the foreign workers and asked,

What happened to Min-hyuk?

He was taken away in an ambulance.

He'll be okay. That young rescue guy worked really hard to save Min-hyuk.

He did everything he could. You don't need to worry.

Hearing those words, the man finally looked relieved.

Then he turned toward Hee-soo.

Young firefighter... Thank ya so much.

Hee-soo was still too exhausted to respond.

He simply raised his hand in acknowledgment.

However, his expression remained dark.

The young man whose survival these people are desperately praying for still hasn't escaped death.

Chief Jang, who had been observing Hee-soo's expression, approached him.

You're still worried about the young man who was taken away in the ambulance, aren't you?

Yes.

After a moment, Hee-soo spoke as though he had made a decision.

Chief Jang, I'd like that young man to receive treatment at our hospital.

Chief Jang smiled gently and shook his head.

That's not a good idea. It's better to leave him here for now.

Huh? Why?

Because we don't have a trauma center.

Our hospital might look impressive, but it mainly specializes in organ transplants, cancer treatment, and VIP patients.

For an extremely critical emergency patient like this, even if he were admitted to our hospital, they'd probably transfer him somewhere else.

Hee-soo's expression turned grim.

The chairman of the Suseong Medical Foundation is my second-eldest brother, right?

That's correct.

Haah...

If Father tells him to do something, he'll simply do it.

But if I ask him to start a business that won't generate any profits, he'll probably refuse, won't he?

Who knows? You should at least try talking to him.

Yes.

Hee-soo finally gathered himself and looked around the accident scene.

The more he examined the area, the more ridiculous the situation seemed.

He couldn't help clicking his tongue.

No wonder accidents keep happening here.

The area had originally been blocked off by a fence because people weren't supposed to walk through it.

However, someone had cut an opening through the wire fence.

As a result, people were using it as a passageway.

It was obvious that they were taking this route because it provided a shortcut.

The rescue vehicle had only managed to arrive after the entire emergency situation was practically over.

Even the additional ambulance dispatched to transport the remaining two workers didn't arrive until ten minutes after the rescue vehicle.

Hee-soo suddenly remembered the Hentley that had blocked their route earlier.

Chief Jang, did you manage to find out who owns that car?

I contacted the police. They haven't identified the owner yet.

Please investigate it separately.

Understood.

On their way back, Hee-soo saw that the police had finally arrived.

However, the officers were simply standing in front of the Bentley, looking as though they had no idea what to do.

Hee-soo didn't say anything.

Nevertheless, his eyes burned with anger as he stared at the expensive car.

After completing the dispatch, Hee-soo returned to Dobong Fire Station.

Normally, he was always calm and composed.

However, this time, he anxiously paced back and forth around the office.

Captain Gu noticed his unusual behavior.

What's wrong? Is there some kind of problem?

Ah, no. Sir. No, I mean... It's nothing. I'm just busy thinking about something.

Then why the hell are you walking around so restlessly? Sit down and write your report.

Hee-soo immediately frowned and glared at the captain.

I don't waste my time on things like that. Why don't you worry about your own report?

What did you just say, you little bastard?

Do you seriously spend that much time writing reports after every single incident?

And even after wasting all that time, the reports you produce are complete garbage.

That's because I never have enough time to write them properly! I need to sit down calmly and review everything that happened!

It's amazing that someone with a brain like yours is actually such a good firefighter.

Hee-soo clicked his tongue.

Captain Gu could only shake his head in disbelief.

No matter how much I think about it, you're clearly better suited to a desk job.

Why the hell are you working in the field?

There's absolutely nothing to gain from sitting behind a desk. If I wanted to do that, I'd rather work in my own office.

Hee-soo responded coldly before walking out.

Captain Gu was certainly offended by his attitude.

However, he couldn't deny that Hee-soo's words made sense.

Well, I suppose it would be ridiculous for the crown prince of Suseong Group to come all the way here just to work behind a desk.

Especially when he's starting from the very bottom.

But seriously, why the hell is he even here?

Captain Gu simply couldn't understand him.

Meanwhile, Hee-soo heard an ambulance returning to the station.

He immediately hurried toward the vehicle garage.

When he arrived, he approached Min-ah, who had just returned from her latest dispatch.

Min-ah, things were pretty chaotic earlier, so I didn't get a chance to ask.

Which hospital did you take the young man we rescued today?

Shin Min-ah was a paramedic working at Dobong Fire Station.

She had been working with the emergency medical team for about four years.

In Hee-soo's opinion, she was the most dedicated firefighter at the entire station.

She was tall and had a cute face.

However, her voice was extremely deep and husky.

People meeting her for the first time often struggled to adjust to the contrast between her appearance and her voice.

She always wore her hair pulled tightly back and tied into a round bun.

Throughout the entire year, her appearance at the fire station never seemed to change.

When Hee-soo asked about the patient, Min-ah's expression darkened.

We took him to the emergency department at KEPCO Hospital.

But he was still in critical condition when we left.

Really?

Yes. His symptoms of poisoning were so severe that the doctors weren't sure whether they'd be able to save him.

Her already deep voice sounded even more depressing as she delivered the news.

Hee-soo's expression also darkened.

I see... Thank you.

Don't mention it.

Min-ah suddenly looked at him with interest.

By the way, your emergency treatment skills were amazing.

I studied medicine as well. I've also completed my internship.

What? Were you a doctor?

Not in South Korea.

What do you mean, not in South Korea?

I have an American medical license.

Ah! I see!

Then why don't you take the Korean medical licensing examination too?

Even people who graduate from American medical schools can obtain a medical license here.

Unfortunately, my university isn't on the list of institutions approved by the Korean government, so I can't.

Ah, really?

Even while they were talking, Min-ah noticed that Hee-soo still looked anxious.

She carefully studied his expression.

By the way, your shift should be ending soon, right?

Why don't you visit that young man?

Hee-soo's expression brightened slightly.

Ah, I'd really like to. Could you tell me where to find him?

He should still be in the emergency department. If you tell them his name, they'll probably let you see him.

What was his name again? Just a moment.

Min-ah began searching through the patient's chart.

Ah! Here it is.

The patient's name is Yoo Min-hyuk.

Thank you. I've been trying to find out his name since the rescue.

We had some trouble with that too. Apparently, he doesn't have a guardian.

What? Doesn't he have a guardian?

That's right.

He grew up in an orphanage, and he doesn't have any family.

The hospital had a difficult time dealing with his situation.

They accepted him because his life was in immediate danger, but it took quite a while to find a government assistance program that could cover his treatment.

I understand.

Min-ah carefully observed Hee-soo's expression for a moment.

Then she spoke again.

Um... Is there any chance you could help him?

I feel a little uncomfortable asking this, but... You're rich, aren't you?

Hee-soo responded with a slightly sarcastic tone.

Well, it's not like I'm short on money. Paying someone's hospital bills wouldn't exactly be difficult.

He had deliberately made his answer sound rather cold.

However, Min-ah's face immediately lit up.

She happily slapped his arm.

Exactly! Our very own third-generation chaebol heir could rescue an orphan who's fallen on hard times.

That would make another wonderful story about you!

Min-ah looked extremely pleased with herself, as though she had just come up with the perfect plan.

And it was obvious that she genuinely meant every word.

Hee-soo was completely dumbfounded by her direct approach.

He had rarely encountered someone who spoke so openly about such things right to his face.

For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

Ha... Ah, well, yes.

Our group has a charitable foundation too, so I'll ask them to review whether he qualifies for financial assistance.

If a powerful third-generation chaebol heir like you puts a little pressure on them, surely they'll approve such a tiny amount of money without any problems, right?

Hee-soo was becoming increasingly confused.

Min-ah seemed unusually determined to get him involved.

He couldn't help finding her behavior strange.

What's going on with her?

Hee-soo decided to ask her directly.

Do you know him personally?

It was a question he often used when he wanted to catch someone off guard and regain control of a conversation.

However, Min-ah seemed completely unaffected by his intentions.

Instead, her expression immediately became gloomy.

She shook her head.

If I knew him personally, I'd probably help him with my own money.

Unfortunately, I don't know him at all.

And a paramedic's salary isn't exactly high enough for me to casually pay the medical expenses of every stranger who needs help.

Are you serious?

About what?

Are you seriously asking me to help him simply because you feel sorry for him?

Of course! Isn't his situation heartbreaking?

He spent his entire childhood growing up in an orphanage.

Then he finally managed to get accepted into a good university in Seoul.

But because he needed money to cover his living expenses, he started doing manual labor.

And now he's suffered a terrible accident and is fighting for his life!

At that moment, the emergency medical team captain approached them.

He had just finished organizing their equipment.

When he saw Min-ah desperately pleading with Hee-soo, he immediately tried to stop her.

Oh, goodness! Min-ah! Didn't I tell you to stop doing this? You're at it again!

Hee-soo looked completely confused.

Again?

The emergency medical team captain sighed.

That's the problem with this girl. She's just too kind.

Whenever she sees someone in trouble, she can't stand the thought of not helping them.

That's why she can never save any money!

Hee-soo looked surprised.

Can't she save money? What do you mean by that?

However, before the captain could answer, Min-ah quickly interrupted him.

That's not it!

How can you call yourself a human being and simply turn your back on someone who's suffering like that?

Please, just stop talking about it!

The captain shook his head.

You need to stop too!

Do you seriously think Firefighter Choi feels comfortable being asked for money like this?

Just because he's a chaebol heir doesn't mean he can fulfill every request for financial assistance.

If he tried to help everyone, there would never be an end to it!

I know that, but...

Min-ah looked genuinely upset.

That young man's situation is just too heartbreaking.

Hee-soo was just about to say something when the emergency dispatch alarm suddenly rang.