This is the world-renowned Elmolance University Hospital.
A mecca of medicine, gathering only the top experts in every medical field with the right aptitudes.
They say if Elmolance can't cure you, you should just give up!
The facilities are top-notch, but the cost is so astronomical that commoners like me can't even dream of it.
In other words,
"Wow…"
Even though it's not far from my neighborhood, this was my first time here.
'Is this the future?'
A machine at the entrance sprayed liquid like a humidifier, disinfecting visitors and patients.
Whirr-
Robots assisting or cleaning alongside doctors and nurses were a common sight…
If that was all, I wouldn't have been so shocked.
Beep!
「Healthy!」
In the brief moment of passing through the entrance, it scanned my health and announced the result!
Is this possible?
I couldn't believe it, including the result.
'Healthy? Me?'
I'm skin and bones from malnutrition, looking half-dead.
Suspicious, I glanced at others' results.
「Healthy!」
「Healthy!」
「Low blood pressure!」
「Healthy!」
「High body temperature!」
「Healthy!」
…
'Hmm… so it only does basic checks?'
Still, it was impressive. Just passing through a door like entering a department store.
While I marveled at this futuristic technology,
"Bro! Over here!"
Kang-hoon, familiar with the hospital, had already finished registering and called me.
"Coming."
"Room 1906."
"So, 19th floor?"
"Yup!"
As expected.
The directory by the elevator showed the 18th and 19th floors were VIP wards.
"I want my big brother to get better soon and help with Dad's work."
"Why?"
"I find this work so boring, I can't do it."
"Well…"
How many people purely enjoy their job, even if it matches their aptitude?
Still, I listened quietly. There was more.
"Everyone keeps comparing me to him. Like, 'Back in the day, your brother was like this.'"
"That's the adults' fault."
I don't have siblings, but being compared to others is one of the most stressful things.
"So I thought, this work, this aptitude—it's not for me."
"I see…"
"Moon-soo Bro, please cure my brother."
"Don't expect too much. I've never healed anyone."
"It's okay if you can't. I just wanted to come here with you."
"That's a relief then."
Ding! Rumble-
Using the VIP elevator, we reached the 19th floor and walked through the bustling hallway.
'Wow!'
Politicians, celebrities, and singers I'd only seen on TV roamed like ordinary people, here for treatment or visits.
Red warning signs plastered the walls.
「No interviews」
「No filming」
「No autograph sessions」
…
It felt like a sanctuary, separated from a world obsessed with others' private lives.
As proof, no one seemed conscious of others' gazes.
Finally,
「Room 1906: Choi Kang-min」
We arrived at the patient's room.
"Wait."
Kang-hoon swiped the key card from the reception under the nameplate.
Beep!
The handle-less automatic door slid open smoothly, revealing the room.
'Wow!'
Choi Kang-min had a spacious, spotless room all to himself.
Refrigerator, water purifier, desk, computer, TV, bathroom, humidifier, air conditioner, plants, air purifier, sofa…
The décor and facilities were top-of-the-line, with various medical equipment lined up for emergencies.
And on a bed large enough for three,
"Oh…"
A skeletal figure, like a decayed tree, lay flat.
I understood why the entrance scanner called me "Healthy!"
Everything's relative.
Choi Kang-min's condition, lying on the pristine bed, was that grave.
'My God…'
His wrists, riddled with needle marks, had multiple IV lines, and his gaunt, skull-like face wore an oxygen mask.
Was that why?
"That's my big brother."
"…I see."
Even I, who remembered the healthy Choi Kang-min from the past, couldn't recognize him.
'Is he even alive…?'
His skin clung to his bones like an Egyptian mummy. I'd believe it if someone said he was already dead.
Beep, beep, beep…
The steady sound of the heart monitor was the only proof he was still alive.
At that moment,
Beep!
The automatic door opened again, and a woman in a pristine white coat entered.
"You're here again, Mr. Choi Kang-hoon."
She greeted Kang-hoon with a warm smile.
"Hello, Doctor!"
"It's nice to see you. It can't be easy to find time to visit at an age when you're busy with friends."
"Hehe."
"Mr. Choi Kang-min must be jealous to have such a bright and kind younger brother."
"Oh, stop it!"
I listened to their conversation, carefully observing to avoid being rude.
First, since Kang-hoon called her "Doctor," she must be one.
As expected of a doctor at the prestigious Elmolance Hospital, she exuded an intellectual air.
If not for medical enhancements, she looked to be in her early 30s, with wavy, chestnut hair flowing down to her waist.
"And this person is…?"
After exchanging greetings, the doctor turned her attention to me.
"Hello, I'm Kang Moon-soo. I'm an old friend of Kang-hoon from the neighborhood. I also know Kang-min, who's lying here."
Not closely, though!
"Doctor, Moon-soo Bro isn't just any friend. He's a shaman!"
"A shaman?"
The doctor's eyebrows furrowed instantly at Kang-hoon's tactless addition.
"Haha… don't mind him."
This kid, saying unnecessary things.
"I see. I'm Mr. Choi Kang-min's attending physician."
"Hello."
"After closely examining Mr. Choi Kang-min's brainwaves, we concluded he's in a very deep sleep."
"I see."
"Countless shamans have tried various methods to wake him. Some even went as far as driving nails into the patient's body."
"That's… wow."
Drip.
Cold sweat ran down my back as I listened.
'What kind of mess is this?'
Thanks to my tactless little brother, the atmosphere turned awkward.
"Mr. Choi Kang-min won't wake from external physical stimuli. Since you're someone his brother trusts, I'm not too worried."
"Yes, no need to worry. I'd never do such a thing."
"Just to be safe, I feel compelled to say this."
"Go ahead."
"As you can see, the patient's body is at its limit. He can barely breathe without machines. Even the slightest shock could be fatal."
"That's…"
Having experienced my father's death, this wasn't a distant concept.
"You could end up charged with manslaughter if you're not careful."
"Gasp!"
That was a bit more distant!
Manslaughter.
The warning alone was terrifying.
'I'll stay still!'
That was my plan from the start, but now I wouldn't even look at Kang-min.
Thanks for the heads-up, Doctor!
"Doctor! Moon-soo Bro isn't a fraud!"
At that moment, Kang-hoon snapped.
'Little bro, why are you getting mad?'
The doctor put a finger to her lips and replied calmly.
"Shh! This is a hospital with patients. Please lower your voice. And I never called Mr. Kang Moon-soo a fraud. I was simply explaining the patient's condition as his physician."
"Bro's a real shaman with the shaman aptitude…!"
But Kang-hoon kept shouting, undeterred by the setting.
"…"
"I'm serious! I saw his aptitude test results!"
"…Hold on, Mr. Choi Kang-hoon."
"Yes."
The doctor's expression shifted, and instead of scolding, she asked a question.
"Are you talking about P's aptitude test?"
"Yes!"
"…Mr. Kang Moon-soo."
She turned to me, her eyes gleaming as if she'd discovered a fascinating specimen.
"I won't do anything reckless!"
I answered, anticipating her words.
Manslaughter is a no-go!
"Thank you for understanding. I'm not doubting your aptitude, but Mr. Choi Kang-min's body is too frail for any intervention. Even surgery isn't an option."
"Then there's nothing to be done. We can only hope for a miracle."
"Exactly. A miracle. I've only told his father, but Mr. Choi Kang-min has little time left. With modern medicine, 100 days at most. If he doesn't wake by then, cumulative complications will lead to his death."
"…"
Her blunt declaration that my close friend's family member would soon die left me solemn.
"Mr. Kang Moon-soo."
"Yes."
"I'd like to have a word with you before you leave after the visit. Do you have time?"
"Hm… I'm sorry, but I don't think I can today. I have to unpack my moving boxes."
"That's a shame. Don't worry about Mr. Choi Kang-min and take your time. I have to go."
The doctor, sounding not at all disappointed, left the room.
"That's too much!"
"Who?"
"The doctor! I thought she was nice, but the moment she heard you're a shaman, she dismissed you!"
"It's fine."
She was giving advice out of concern for me. That kind of "dismissal" I could laugh off a hundred times.
"Thanks for coming, Bro."
"No need to thank me. I just tagged along empty-handed."
Kang-hoon helped me move my heavy stuff.
And he didn't mock my shabby one-room shack.
'That was really touching…'
But no matter how touching, I was starting to regret my hasty promise to help with anything.
"Bro."
"I'm not healing anyone."
"I know. But it'd be a shame to come all this way and leave without saying hi. Let's at least greet him."
"…Kang-min Bro, it's been a while. I hope you open your eyes soon."
That was my sincere wish. Losing family is something I think should be delayed as long as possible.
***
"Kang-hoon, we're done—huh?"
Turning around after the greeting, I was dumbfounded.
'Where'd this kid go? Don't tell me he went to the bathroom after making me say hi?'
If so, that's a bit cheeky.
"Kang-min Bro, if I get the chance, I'll come back with Kang-hoon…"
Turning back to the bed, I couldn't continue. The patient lying there was gone!
It happened in the blink of an eye.
"Kang-hoon! Kang-hoon!"
Panicked, I called out for him and rushed to the bathroom. Without knocking,
Bang!
I flung the door open.
'What the—?!'
Kang-hoon, who I assumed was in the bathroom, was gone too.
"No way…"
Thinking it impossible, I dashed to the room's entrance.
「Room 1906: _______」
'Gone!'
The patient's name slot was empty!
"What the hell…"
"Excuse me, are you looking for a patient's room?"
A passing nurse approached, noticing my confusion.
"Oh, yes."
"What's the patient's name?"
"Choi Kang-min."
"One moment."
Beep, b-beep—
The nurse operated the screen of a robot following her.
"…"
I waited calmly.
"I'm sorry, but there's no patient named Choi Kang-min admitted."
"That can't be…"
"Mr. Choi Kang-min's last visit was to urology 12 years ago."
"12 years ago…?"
"Yes. No recent records of admission or visits."
"…"
Her explanation only deepened my confusion.
"Sir, the 19th floor is the VIP ward. I'm sorry, but you're suspected of unauthorized entry and must accompany me to the first floor."
"…Okay."
I felt wronged, having just followed Kang-hoon, but I decided to comply with the nurse's instructions for now.
'Huh?'
A person's flying?
Waiting for the elevator and looking out the window, I saw something astonishing.
'No, this isn't the time!'
"Get down…!"
Crash!
Right after I shouted and dropped to the floor, a nearby window shattered.
"Eek?!"
"What's that?!"
Screams from startled people!
Then, an angry shout from the person who broke through the window.
"Magic Boy! You'll pay…!"
Crash!
Another window shattered right after.
'They didn't jump from this height, did they?'
Thinking it impossible, I cautiously stood up.
"Damn… missed him again…"
"Huh? Kang-min Bro?"
I spotted Choi Kang-min in a strange outfit.
"…You've got the wrong person."
Flap~
But denying it, he leaped out the broken window, his red cape fluttering.
"Hm…"
'Did I see wrong?'
It was definitely the healthy Choi Kang-min I remembered. But he should be skin and bones…
"No way!"
Risking danger, I stuck my head out the broken window.
Boom! Bang!
Two men, without wings or thrusters, were flying between buildings in a chase.
An impossible sight in reality!
Thanks to that, my confused mind cleared in an instant.
"Where am I?"
This wasn't the Earth I knew.