episode_0600

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The current Republic of Korea’s No. 5 Hero.

Code name: Musin.

Kang Palsan.

Having just finished his joyous sixtieth birthday party with his granddaughter, whom he loves more than anything, he now had one thing he hated the most.

That was the unsolicited consideration from young punks who hadn’t even tasted blood yet, best described as, “Sir, please sit here. I’m getting off soon!”

You rotten bastards.

I’m only 60. 60 years old.

I haven’t even hit seventy or eighty yet, it’s only halfway through the 100-year era.

…Of course, I’m twice as old as those young punks, at least 10 years older than their parents, so I can’t completely fail to understand…

Does this body, forged and honed for 60 years, look so decrepit?

Does this body’s twitching biceps look the same as your chopstick-like bones?

If I wanted to, I could butcher you so you wouldn’t even be able to utter a word…

Of course, from the perspective of a nation that values manners and etiquette, it’s a truly beautiful sentiment.

But Kang Palsan is recognized by the country itself as Musin.

In Musin’s eyes, it still felt wrong. (If Kang Palsan says so, then it is so.)

Moreover, this wasn’t just something he heard on buses or subways.

If it were, he could just hire a driver like our “Moneybags,” but these well-behaved fellows were spread throughout the Republic of Korea.

Even at the public institution’s information desk.

Even when he visited the bank in person because internet banking was too much of a headache.

Even when he went to a large supermarket with our small and cute granddaughter to take out a shopping cart!

And even…

Even…!

“Sir, are you alright?”

“……”

“Sir?”

“…I’m alright. Just feeling a bit drowsy.”

Even at the university hospital, filled with the unpleasant smell of medicine.

He had no choice but to hear the words he hated.

600

Pneumonia.

What Kang Palsan, at the age of 20, called “a trivial disease,” had a slightly different meaning for Kang Palsan, who had now turned 60.

He himself didn’t feel that uncomfortable, but his family was making a huge fuss.

Saying that pneumonia was dangerous at his age, that they were worried because his cough wouldn’t stop, that he should get inpatient treatment quickly and get better…

It was only a few days ago that he had chased them all away, telling them to mind their own business because their worries were annoying.

Kang Palsan believed that pneumonia was a disease that would heal in a week, like a cold.

But a few days later, he ended up going through the admission process with slightly worsened symptoms.

It seemed that because he was a bit older, his condition suddenly deteriorated one day.

From feeling “not that uncomfortable” – to feeling.

Oh shit, what is this…?

“God damn it… what the hell…”

He was incredibly annoyed because of the constant throbbing in his chest all day.

Wasn’t Kang Palsan the man who could crush 50 2L plastic bottles without a gap in a single breath in, and overturn the Nakdong River like a tsunami in a single breath out?

But now, all Kang Palsan could do was inhale the patient-like oxygen from the oxygen mask.

As he inhaled the breath that came in with a hissing sound, the depths of his lungs felt piercingly cold.

…To think I can’t even breathe on my own without relying on something.

This unfamiliar sensation was truly eerie, but Kang Palsan only uttered two words of curse.

His son, who always nagged him to cut down on swearing, would be very happy to see this.

Although, he might show a different expression if he knew that he was holding back curses just to save his breath.

“……”

Still, it’s just pneumonia.

This damn disease can’t hold down this Kang Palsan.

According to the doctor, he could recover completely in about a month.

In the meantime, he could just lie here and enjoy a rare rest.

But regardless of rest, it was also true that his body ached all over because his usual daily routine had been disrupted.

That’s why Kang Palsan was seriously considering how he could sneak out with just the oxygen mask.

The visitor he saw yesterday came to the hospital room once again.

“Master!”

“…The weather’s nice, why did you come?”

“I came because the weather’s nice.”

Her name is Han Sua.

Compared to most of his disciples, who looked like poisonous toads, she was truly ordinary.

She was a disciple who resembled his wife in her younger days.

Of course, his wife didn’t have flamboyant blonde hair, nor were her symbols of femininity as prominent as hers…

Anyway, the fact that she’s a woman is similar, isn’t it?

“Master. I bought some bananas on the way. You said you didn’t like the ones in baskets because they were ‘too much of a burden…,’ so this time I just got these simple ones.”

Han Sua placed the bananas, with their tips wrapped in plastic wrap as if she had bought them from a supermarket, on the bedside table next to Kang Palsan.

To be honest, he preferred meat to fruit, so much so that he would wrap meat in lettuce, but Kang Palsan wasn’t a heartless person who would spout nonsense even to someone who brought him a gift.

Of course, it might have been a different story if it were the Kang Palsan of the past, full of vigor, but now there was only an old man who wanted to see his granddaughter, an old man lying down fighting severe pneumonia.

Therefore, Kang Palsan casually threw out a joke, as usual.

“Too much of a burden…”

“Huh? Even this?”

“I told you. I’m just hanging on to some fancy things because of my age, but it’s a disease that will heal soon.”

“But…”

“It’s pneumonia, not lung cancer. If you look at something like rhinitis, it’s nothing, right?”

“Um…? Isn’t ‘pneumonia’ a little different since it has ‘pneu’ and ‘ia’?”

“…They use the same Chinese character. Sua.”

“Ah…”

Right. No matter how much of a dimwit Han Sua is… a pure girl, it wouldn’t look normal for an old man to be relying on an oxygen mask.

But it’s also embarrassing for a man who’s supposed to be Musin to whine about how hard it is to breathe.

Especially in front of a girl nearly 40 years younger than him.

Therefore, Kang Palsan, squeezing out his strength to speak, continued the conversation, pretending to be perfectly fine.

“How’s the internship going? I was worried you’d be lonely without me.”

“It’s okay. It’s not like I’m particularly lonely just because you’re not here, Master…”

“……”

“Rather, there are a lot of people taking pictures of me as I walk by these days…”

“Wasn’t that something that happened often when you were with me?”

“It’s similar to then…, no, it feels like there are even more…”

Come to think of it, maybe when she was with Kang Palsan himself, the ‘rumors about Kang Palsan’ that had accumulated over 60 years prevented people from using their cameras.

Moreover, it seems that young people these days think it’s normal to point their lenses and snap pictures at others… Tsk tsk.

It seems that the number of ‘self-proclaimed No. 1 fans’ have increased because of the sword case on Sua’s back and her appearance.

Because the kid is so pure, I’m worried about how she’ll deal with those guys who are so full of goodwill.

Should I brainwash her to treat simple fans warmly, but to treat hardcore fans harshly and coldly?

Even then, some guys will still like her, right?

“…It’s because they’re curious. Because they’re curious.”

“I understand if it’s you, Master, since you’re a very famous hero in Korea, but what’s so curious about me, a mere disciple…”

“You have something curious too, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

“…No, it’s nothing. Maybe it’s because I’m fighting an illness. I misspoke.”

“No, it’s okay, Master.”

Anyway, it’s not good to keep Sua here for too long.

I heard that she seemed to have a boy she liked last time, so it’s right to send her to the side of the boy she likes on this nice day, not next to an old man.

Therefore, Kang Palsan deliberately pulled the blanket up a little more and cleared his throat, pretending to be very, very annoyed and tired.

Or rather, that’s what he was about to do.

“By the way, Master. About what you were talking about with me last time…”

“…Cough. With you?”

“That, I know someone who’s a healer Transcendent… remember?”

“…Ah, yes. I remember.”

I remember hearing it.

I’m remembering it so that if I ever get the chance later, I can swallow my pride and ask for a favor when my granddaughter is sick.

But the fact that she’s bringing up that story now.

Even someone who can’t read the atmosphere would have to know.

“I contacted them a little while ago, and they said they seem to be free for a few days.”

“……”

“About 3 days? 4 days? They said it doesn’t matter when I contact them within that period, so just let them know when it’s convenient…”

“……”

“…It’d be better if you got better quickly, even if it’s nothing serious like you said, Master. Hehe.”

Therefore, Kang Palsan listened to Han Sua’s story to the end in silence for a moment.

Coughing and sneezing once again, he sighed deeply, uncharacteristically, and replied.

“…It would be good if you told them that I will definitely pay the fees later.”

I really don’t like the idea of you trying to be considerate of this body.

But it’s all for my granddaughter.

It’s for my granddaughter’s health.

*****

…No.

This guy absolutely.

Absolutely.

Definitely.

I must not introduce him to my granddaughter.

“Nice to meet you, sir. My name is Seo Woojin.”

“…I’m Kang Palsan. By the way, that’s a name I’ve never heard before.”

“I’ve been on the news here and there when I was a student, but I’ve been living a quiet life since then. I’m currently working at an academy for students who have great aspirations… …Ah, I think the nurse can wait over there for a moment.”

“……”

It’s not that I don’t like his manners.

He doesn’t perfectly observe etiquette, but he’s one of the few guys these days that are called “MZ” that are at least somewhat decent.

Moreover, it’s too much like an old fogey to keep checking if they’re being polite.

His personality doesn’t seem to be particularly abrasive either.

In the first place, he’s a man who came all the way here as soon as he heard that someone he barely knew was sick.

It would be right to say that he has basic character.

So why do I think I shouldn’t introduce him to my granddaughter?

The reason is.

“I heard from Sua that you have pneumonia. I think it’s good to have a conversation, but would it be alright if we proceed with the treatment quickly?”

“…Please do.”

It’s his appearance.

This bastard…

…No, no. It’s not right to use such expressions to someone who’s doing me a favor.

This son of a bitch.

He looks quite similar to the entertainers on TV.

Even his physique seems to be reasonably sturdy.

“I’m going to touch you for a moment. First, I’m going to briefly touch your wrist…”

“If you grab my wrist, you can treat me… is that roughly how it works?”

“Ah, the treatment will be done after placing my hand on your chest. Touching the affected area is my treatment method.”

“……”

“If my hands are too cold at that time, it might be uncomfortable for you… So, I’m going to check your temperature first.”

“…Do so.”

Besides, he has to touch the affected area?

…Then what if something goes wrong with our granddaughter’s thighs?

What if something goes wrong with her lips?

What if something goes wrong with her breasts…

What if…

….

…Oh, no.

Absolutely…

Absolutely not…

“Excuse me.”

“……”

There were more than one or two things that bothered Kang Palsan, but the treatment itself proceeded without any problems.

Seo Woojin’s hand touched the solid muscles, and a warm energy permeated into him, neatly resolving the stuffy and sticky parts inside his body.

To put it a bit vulgarly, it felt like digging out earwax cleanly after 100 years.

That warm energy then spread throughout his entire body, and when Seo Woojin took his hand away, it disappeared as if nothing had happened.

“…Yes, that’s the end of it. Thank you for your hard work.”

“…Hoo. Ssup…, hoo. …Can you bring me that plastic bottle for a moment?”

“Of course.”

Of course, the pneumonia that had been tormenting Kang Palsan for several days was the same.

“It might be presumptuous, but I also treated the minor injuries that were left behind. Only the ones that would clearly have a negative impact.”

“…I like it very much. Very much. I sincerely feel 5 years younger.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

When Kang Palsan got up and lightly moved his arms without showing any particular discomfort, the nurses, who had been watching him like children at a zoo until just now, quickly collected the oxygen equipment, IV stand, monitors, and so on.

Since Kang Palsan is a very famous hero, they might have been curious about the chatter they would hear here and there, but it seems like they have a professional attitude.

Thanks to that, all that remained were Kang Palsan, the owner of the private room, Seo Woojin, and Han Sua.

After the three of them were left alone, Kang Palsan said in a serious voice.

“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about.”

“Are you talking to me?”

“Yes. Seo Woojin.”

“Is there anything…, ah, the Hanseol Group has already paid the fees. You don’t have to worry…”

“Do you happen to have a girlfriend?”

“…? Yes? Ah, yes. We’ve been dating for a little over a year now.”

“…Thank God.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. By the way, I have another question, is there no problem treating even young children…”

If you think about it, this was the problem.

The reason Kang Palsan only realized the relationship between Han Sua and Seo Woojin much later in the future,

Was because of this question.