Chapter 28 – Magic Boy (6)
[Chapter 2 – Verse 4] Fear Crept In
The hospital seemed eager to run detailed tests on my body, which showed the same symptoms as Choi Kang-min’s, but I firmly refused.
‘No way!’
I didn’t want to waste my precious time for that guy.
“Jeez…”
Even though I made my dislike clear, Dr. Seo Hye-joo was persistent. She kept tempting me with free expensive tests!
But I used being busy as an excuse, got a quick checkup, and was discharged.
“Bro~!”
Choi Kang-hoon, who bought a ton of toilet paper for my housewarming.
That amount would probably last even after I leave the dorm in a year.
“What?”
“Just called you ‘cause you’re awesome.”
“…”
His reason was out there, but I didn’t mind right now.
Praise.
I never thought a single word I usually brushed off would feel so redeeming.
“But, Bro.”
“What now?”
“Can Big Bro get better?”
“…”
I answered with silence.
‘It’ll be tough.’
Choi Kang-min has no intention of waking from his dream. Unless we can intervene in reality, his death is practically certain.
Pity?
I feel none.
Even setting aside my personal grudge, Choi Kang-min will meet his end basking in happiness.
To him, the dream is reality.
“…Kang-hoon.”
“Yeah.”
“How much do you trust me?”
“Hm… Oh! I’d believe you even if you said you were an alien!”
“That’s a lot!”
Too much trust!
“Why ask all of a sudden?”
“I had a dream in the hospital. You were wrongly imprisoned.”
“Me?!”
“And I became a lawyer to save you, the enemy of the world.”
Another version of my story.
“…”
“…”
“…Bro? What happened next?”
“I was assassinated by the one who framed you and sent you to prison.”
“Oh no…!”
“I’ll tell you the rest after we finish cleaning the house.”
“Okay!”
Even with some editing, it’ll be a long story.
***
Choi Kang-hoon is a cautious type.
He dislikes being seen as unmanly for it, but others don’t share that view.
They call him meticulous.
Thorough.
It’s highly praised, even by his father, who runs a complex conglomerate.
“Be careful.”
“Yeah! I’ll come back to hang out!”
After tidying the dorm, we ate together at a restaurant near the Sports University’s main gate and parted ways.
A few seconds later,
“Young Master, are you done?”
“The car’s ready.”
A man and woman, dressed ordinarily, greeted Choi Kang-hoon politely.
They looked like a well-matched newlywed couple, but they were actually special forces-trained bodyguards!
Hired by Choi Kang-hoon with his allowance.
“To the hospital.”
“Yes.”
There was something unsettling he wanted to check immediately.
It looked like an ordinary car.
But it was a custom model with bulletproof glass and various safety and convenience features.
Sitting in the plush back seat, Choi Kang-hoon looked out the window and muttered softly to himself.
“I trust Bro. Always, forever…”
Since childhood, he’s relied on Kang Moon-soo, the neighborhood guy a year older, with unconditional trust.
Why?
Their first meeting stemmed from young Kang Moon-soo’s reckless sense of justice.
Seeing Choi Kang-hoon teased by peers for being “girly,” he didn’t ignore it but stepped in.
‘He said inner qualities matter more than appearances.’
Back then, young Kang Moon-soo couldn’t explain it intuitively, but he showed it through action.
How?
By putting out a candle with his bare hands!
Regardless of gender, anyone can put out a candle bare-handed if they’re not afraid, but hesitating makes it too hot to touch…
To snot-nosed kids taught by parents and teachers that fire is dangerous, Kang Moon-soo, extinguishing a flame with his bare hands, was the ultimate tough guy!
Among the kids in awe was Choi Kang-hoon.
In other words,
“Suspicious.”
The dream suddenly brought up by Kang Moon-soo, his idol since childhood.
And in that dream, ‘Choi Kang-hoon’ appeared.
Thus,
‘Not an ordinary dream.’
Warning.
That word flashed first in Choi Kang-hoon’s mind.
Logically, there was no need for Kang Moon-soo to share a story about him going to prison.
And it was specific.
“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”
“Thank you. It won’t take long.”
“We’ll wait in the lobby.”
Instead of heading to the hospital’s reception, Choi Kang-hoon pulled out his smartphone.
(Hello.)
The call was answered immediately after dialing a saved number.
“This is Choi Kang-hoon. Sorry for contacting you during work hours.”
(Hello. But why is the younger brother calling me…?)
Dr. Seo Hye-joo, Choi Kang-min’s attending physician, asked with a puzzled tone.
“I’d like a consultation.”
(I’m busy now, so keep your questions short.)
“It’s a sensitive topic, so could we meet in person? I’m on the first floor of the hospital.”
(That’s even more difficult…)
“It’s about Moon-soo Bro.”
(…That’s an offer I can’t refuse. I’ll send someone to guide you.)
“Thank you for accommodating my unreasonable request.”
(It’s fine. It’s an extension of what I’m working on. But can you tell me what it’s about?)
“Dreams.”
(Dreams?)
“I think he met Big Bro Choi Kang-min in a dream.”
Unlike Kang Moon-soo’s thoughts, this younger brother wasn’t so naïve.
***
“How strange.”
Am I just insensitive?
Despite the horrific experience of having my limbs severed, with a stable job(?) providing meals and lodging secured, my mood lifted an hour before starting work, and I returned to my usual self.
Knock knock.
After a deep breath, I lightly knocked on the door of the office on the second floor of the Sports University’s swimming facility, where I was supposed to meet.
“Kang Moon-soo.”
“Come in.”
The swim coach’s voice came from inside, slightly agitated for some reason.
‘Is something up?’
I cautiously opened the door, stepped inside, and greeted.
“Hello.”
“Oh! You’re right on time.”
“The dorm’s right nearby. It’d be ridiculous to be late.”
“From my experience coaching athletes, tardiness has little to do with distance. It’s about the mindset to learn. Anyway, well done for being punctual.”
The swim coach welcomed me with a bright smile.
“What do we start with?”
“Haha! Love the enthusiasm, but today, before training, we’ll get essential personal items. First, let’s buy a swimsuit for you to use temporarily.”
“Athlete…”
Isn’t that title a bit premature?
Wouldn’t “trainee” be more fitting?
“From now on, you’re a full-fledged swimmer. Keep that in mind as you live. For example, smoking, which is deadly to lung capacity, is prohibited. Including secondhand smoke.”
“Oh, yes.”
Is the coach more enthusiastic than me?
A good sign.
“I’d love to get you a custom swimsuit, but we’re holding off since your body isn’t fully developed yet.”
“My body?”
“You need a bit—well, a lot more muscle. Do you have any protein supplements at home?”
“No.”
“As expected… I’d love to buy you some meat myself, but my salary isn’t that generous.”
“It’s fine.”
I know from experience. Squeezing a tight budget leads to trouble fast.
“You’ll use this locker room. Memorize its location.”
“Yes.”
I thought the athletes’ locker room would be different, but it was the same one I used endlessly with Song Sun-young.
‘Is she doing okay…?’
I got a bit curious about her.
“Kang Moon-soo, athlete?”
“…Oh! Yes.”
“Focus on my explanation, please.”
“Sorry.”
“Right now, you’re in the third tier since you have no official record. The first tier is the national team candidates, the second is the university team, and the third is the reserve group.”
“Understood.”
“If your skills are recognized and you move up to the first or second tier, you’ll get access to better facilities.”
“…”
If I’d met the national team coach who trained Choi Kang-hoon, wouldn’t I have gotten access to those facilities right away?
‘Who am I to blame?’
It’s my fault for not trusting my little brother.
***
Starting my official athlete life, I woke up each morning, left the dorm, and ran around the Sports University’s perimeter.
Because I love exercise?
Not at all. If I had time, I’d rather catch up on sleep than sweat.
“Huff! Huff!”
The reason I forced my sleepy eyes open to run was simple.
‘I need strength.’
How pathetic was I, helplessly toyed with by Choi Kang-min, transformed into Magic Boy?
I couldn’t forget that frustration.
“Just a bit more…!”
Running like this wouldn’t make me fly, but the same goes for Magic Boy.
In reality, not a dream, there’s no human who moves like lightning. Building stamina means I won’t go down easily.
Power!
It surged as a new value I needed to pursue.
To build that power, exercise and willpower alone weren’t enough.
In other words,
“More, please!”
“Hoho! You eat a lot, kid.”
I needed to consume a variety of nutrients well beyond the daily recommended amount.
‘I got lucky.’
This is the Sports University. With many students and athletes prioritizing health, the campus cafeteria offers balanced, nutrient-conscious meals.
Lastly,
“Kang Moon-soo, athlete.”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever learned swimming from another coach?”
“No.”
Well, I did learn a bit from a long-legged girl whose aptitude was swimming!
It’s not like taekwondo or martial arts, but I’m being trained by a coach in the athletic field.
“…Your form is surprisingly solid. For now, rather than fine-tuning your posture, we should focus on building your body.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll arrange for you to use the campus gym by the day after tomorrow at the latest. For the first few days, I’ll accompany you and teach you the muscles needed for swimming and how to use the equipment.”
“Got it.”
Things I’d put off due to part-time jobs were coming together one by one.
Regular exercise.
Healthy meals.
Adequate sleep.
On weekends, the campus cafeteria is closed, and I had no money, so I needed another source for food.
As a result,
“Hello, Dr. Seo Hye-joo!”
I visited the hospital at dawn on my first non-working weekend.
“I remember you not liking tests, Mr. Kang Moon-soo. I didn’t expect you to contact me first.”
“Haha! It’s the weekend, so I have plenty of time!”
I’m willing to get tested all day if they cover all three meals!
“By the way…”
Dr. Seo narrowed her eyes, scanning my body up and down.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. It’s only been a few days, but your body’s improved noticeably.”
“Haha! Thank you.”
Like a sponge soaking up water, I was gaining weight daily.
And most of that was muscle!
I was warned that overdoing it suddenly could hurt my back, but so far, no issues.
“Good decision. You collapsed twice in a short time.”
“You looked into it.”
“Oh! Don’t take it the wrong way. I just reviewed your medical records as a doctor.”
“I understand.”
I wasn’t offended.
Far from it, like Choi Kang-hoon’s praise, Dr. Seo’s attention made me feel respected as a person.
“So, a question came up.”
“What?”
“Both times you collapsed, there was a common factor: another patient collapsed with the same symptoms first. Song Sun-young and Choi Kang-min.”
“…Coincidence.”
The warm atmosphere suddenly turned serious.
“Really a coincidence?”
“…”
“Your aptitude is shaman. Doesn’t anything come to mind?”
“Nothing at all.”
I had nothing to say.
“This is about a person’s life. I’d appreciate an honest answer.”
“Dr. Seo, what kind of answer do you want?”
“Treatment fees.”
“I don’t have anything to… What?”
“If Choi Kang-min recovers, I’ll give you all the treatment fees.”
“…”
“…”
“How much?”
Suddenly, I had something to say!