Trauma Center : Golden Hour - Chapter 93

“Yes! I’m here at Hangang Park, north of Cheongdam Bridge!”

A reporter with a flushed face shouted toward the camera.

The cold wind was howling, and after waiting outside for a long time, his pronunciation wasn’t very clear.

It looked like his tongue was frozen.

Still, none of the anchors blamed him.

That’s how urgent the situation was.

“Yes, Reporter Lee Jung-min! What’s the situation?”

“Gwangjin Fire Station, a nearby private ambulance, and the Central Rescue Unit are all making every effort to carry out rescue operations! All those judged to need treatment have been rescued and transported to nearby hospitals!”

“Which hospital did they mainly go to?”

Without hesitation, Lee Jung-min answered the anchor’s question.

He’d been on site for a while and had asked and memorized everything he needed, as experienced reporters do.

“Yes! All 11 people classified as minor injuries have been taken to Konkuk University Hospital Emergency Room.”

“All 11? Anyone planning to go to Konkuk University Hospital ER today should keep that in mind.”

“Yes, that’s correct! The Central Rescue Unit has already been notified, so 119 is considering it when dispatching. But if you try to go on your own, you might have to turn back, so please be aware!”

‘Konkuk University Hospital is a big hospital—can it really be paralyzed by just 11 people?’

That might be what some thought.

But these weren’t just any 11 people—they were all from the bus that fell.

They’d been categorized as minor at the scene, but it wouldn’t be surprising if any were actually seriously injured.

This meant all the medical staff had to be on high alert and run every available test.

‘No general emergency patients allowed.’

In fact, a sign with those words was posted in front of the Konkuk University Hospital ER.

Even so, there were still people trying to barge in.

“You can’t come in right now!”

“I have diarrhea, I’m telling you!”

“Mild cases should go to a different hospital. I’ll check nearby options for you.”

So, some large ER clerks came forward to turn such patients away or direct them to other hospitals.

“Then where did the serious patients go?”

The screen returned to Reporter Lee Jung-min.

Once again, he answered the anchor immediately.

“Those classified as red—critical—were all sent to Hanguk University Hospital. Other patients with fractures needing surgery or other contusions were sent to Chilseong Hospital.”

At the words ‘Hanguk University Hospital,’ the middle-aged anchor tilted his head.

It sounded familiar, but he couldn’t figure out why.

A younger anchor quickly jumped in.

“Were all three taken to the Severe Trauma Center led by Professor Baek Kang-hyuk?”

“Ah.”

The middle-aged anchor nodded as soon as he heard that.

Reporter Lee Jung-min also nodded fiercely.

“Yes. All three were transported to the Severe Trauma Center.”

“Can Professor Baek Kang-hyuk really operate on three patients by himself?”

“The scene here is almost wrapped up, so I’ll head straight to the hospital and bring you the latest news.”

“Thank you.”

The anchor smiled at the camera, satisfied, then looked away.

The monitor with Lee Jung-min’s face was now off.

“Viewers, we regret to report this tragic accident on what should have been a peaceful weekend. According to the latest Central Rescue Unit announcement, there are 6 confirmed dead, 5 seriously injured, and 11 with minor injuries. However, all three serious cases transported to Hanguk University Hospital are in critical condition, so the death toll may rise.”

This news was being broadcast not just in homes, but everywhere in the country—including the ER waiting room at Hanguk University Hospital.

“This bastard went into surgery even after I told him to stay out of it.”

A man slouched at the nursing station muttered, shaking his head.

He had the nerve to be so laid-back while everyone else was rushing around.

He clearly wasn’t ordinary.

“Ah, Chief Hong.”

This was Chief Administrative Officer Professor Hong Jae-hoon.

The person who’d just greeted him was Emergency Medicine Chief Park Beom-soo.

“Ah, Chief Park. How’s the situation? Are we getting screwed here? Since yesterday, everyone’s been paying attention to every little thing at this hospital.”

Professor Hong glanced toward the ER entrance.

A crowd of reporters who’d been forced outside because of the patient overflow was gathered there.

Normally, these types wouldn’t care about which patients were coming to the hospital.

Some of them were probably hoping for a feel-good story again.

But most were itching to dig up dirt on Baek Kang-hyuk after seeing his ‘heroic’ acts on TV.

‘I don’t really care what happens to that guy.’

Honestly, he wouldn’t have minded if Baek’s career ended here.

Nothing’s more annoying than a subordinate who doesn’t listen.

But the situation wouldn’t allow that.

‘The problem is, the hospital would go down with him…’

After Baek Kang-hyuk’s impressive interview that morning, the hospital’s reputation had gone up as well.

That meant he couldn’t afford to let Baek cause trouble now.

He had to bring him down slowly, so no one noticed.

“Well, actually, I…”

But Chief Park just scratched the back of his head.

Hong Jae-hoon, growing impatient, pressed him again.

“Hey, you’re the head of Emergency Medicine—if you don’t know the ER patients, who does?”

“How should I know every single patient…”

“They’re critical cases!”

“Well…”

Chief Park glanced at Professor Hong’s face, then finally spoke up.

“These days, all patients classified as critical are first seen by Professor Baek as [primary] (T/N: [Primary] refers to the initial attending physician). We’re leaving it that way because it helps balance resident workload, improves nurse satisfaction, and, most importantly, patient outcomes are better.”

“So the Emergency Medicine department doesn’t handle critical cases at all?”

“We only provide support staff—residents and nurses. From what I hear, it’s also great for training. I don’t know where Professor Baek learned it, but if you check the records, it’s incredible.”

“What the hell…”

Hearing praise for Baek Kang-hyuk from a usually sensible subordinate left Professor Hong with an awkward expression.

But, of course, he couldn’t blame Chief Park.

People on the ground couldn’t help but recognize Baek’s skills.

Of course, Professor Hong himself had been out of frontline practice for some time.

He couldn’t really relate to those still in the thick of things.

“Are you nuts? Don’t you know how the Director and the rest of the executive board feel about Professor Baek these days?”

“Ah, right, yes. I just meant… Of course, I know.”

Chief Park was still less than six months into his position.

He’d only gotten it because senior professors didn’t want the hassle and pushed him into it.

In other words, he was very much a junior chief and had to keep an eye on the administration.

“So don’t say anything with even a hint of praise, even as a joke. If there’s public sympathy when we try to push him out, it’ll just cause trouble.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Anyway, does that mean you don’t know the patients’ conditions at all?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then go find out.”

“Yes. One moment.”

Chief Park bowed and flagged down a resident passing by.

“Find out how the three critical patients from today are doing.”

“Yes, Professor.”

The resident didn’t ask a single question, just took off running.

Neither Chief Park nor Professor Hong knew where he was going or what he’d do, but they were certain of one thing.

He’d definitely come back with the answer.

That’s what residents do.

“Professor.”

Sure enough, not even ten minutes had passed when the resident returned.

Judging by his bright expression, he’d gotten the information.

“Okay, so, what’s—ah.”

“Yes, let me repor—”

“Wait.”

But Chief Park clamped a thick hand over the resident’s mouth before he could say anything.

The resident’s eyes went wide behind Chief Park’s hand.

He couldn’t speak, but his expression made his feelings obvious.

‘What the hell?’

But Professor Hong didn’t stop Chief Park.

Instead, he started glaring murderously down the corridor.

Footsteps were echoing from the hallway leading to the Severe Trauma Center.

They were slow and confident.

It was hard to believe this was the same place where blood had been flying just a while ago.

Of course, it was Baek Kang-hyuk and Jaewon who appeared.

“What the…”

Professor Hong tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.

‘It’s only been three hours since those three critical patients arrived… All the surgeries are already over?’

From what he’d heard from Han Yoo-rim, that guy would always get involved in every surgery, never leaving until things were settled.

So how could he show up looking so relaxed?

‘Did they all die? Are they all dead?’

Otherwise, there’s no way he’d show up so soon.

That smiling face was a little unsettling, though.

“Hmm.”

Baek Kang-hyuk coolly walked past Chief Park and Administrative Director Hong, who were both staring at him.

He gave Park—who he’d worked with before—a couple of friendly taps on the shoulder. That was the extent of his acknowledgment.

“Uh, uh!”

Administrative Director Hong’s face turned red; as a superior, he’d expected at least a nod.

But Baek Kang-hyuk didn’t even look back.

He just kept walking toward the ER entrance.

“Hey! That’s Professor Baek!”

“What? Already out?”

“Is this a mid-surgery briefing?”

“There’s only three patients. Why would he brief in the middle?”

“Then what is it?”

“I have no idea!”

Up to this point, the reporters had just been quietly clutching hot packs and shivering.

But as the main character suddenly appeared and walked straight toward them, they sprang into action.

“Look, look!”

Professor Hong tried to stop Baek Kang-hyuk, but it was useless.

He was too tall, with too long a stride for anyone to catch up.

Soon, the ER doors opened and Baek Kang-hyuk stood in front of the reporters.

At once, camera flashes went off.

Pop-pop-pop!

Jaewon, completely unused to this, grimaced and turned his head away from the blinding lights.

But Baek Kang-hyuk looked straight at them.

He even smiled.

“I know exactly what you’re all wondering about.”

As he spoke in a relaxed voice, the storm of flashes died down.

Every reporter was focused on his words.

Baek Kang-hyuk paused, then continued.

“All the surgeries went well. Every patient brought to the Severe Trauma Center survived.”

We appreciate you reading! If you loved this chapter, don't forget to bookmark us or share with your friends!