Chapter 30 – A Terrible Illness (5)

“As a result of my examination, it was not Hansen’s disease, but chickenpox. Although the early symptoms of chickenpox are similar to Hansen’s disease, there are several characteristic differences, and based on those symptoms, I concluded that it is not Hansen’s disease. Of course, we will have to observe further, but I am certain of it.”

“Chickenpox… Are you sure? Do you have any basis to be so certain?”

“Yes. That is why I have sampled a portion of the patient Han A-yeong’s lesions. I think you can send it to Sweden to confirm it.”

“Hmm, chickenpox… Fine, that is something we can know once we confirm it, so tell me the basis on which you are certain that it is not Hansen’s disease.”

Professor Olsen narrowed his eyes and stared at Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Yes. I will explain.”

A moment later.

“…”

Olsen nodded his head after listening to Kim Ji-hyuk’s explanation.

It seemed he thought Kim Ji-hyuk’s explanation made sense.

“Chickenpox is also a disease as fatal as Hansen’s disease. In particular, considering the current sanitary conditions in South Korea, it is an even more dangerous disease. Rather than the danger of chickenpox itself, the complications resulting from it are more dangerous, Professor.”

“So you are saying we should make a live chickenpox vaccine? And that is why you brought this sample?”

‘Of course. The live chickenpox vaccine will not be developed in Japan until 1974. I plan to advance the development of this live vaccine by at least ten years. Since I already know the manufacturing process of the live chickenpox vaccine inside out. From now on, the producing country of the live chickenpox vaccine will be South Korea, not Japan!’

“Yes. Furthermore, chickenpox has symptoms similar to Hansen’s disease, so it is easy to be misunderstood for no reason, just like A-yeong was this time. Hansen’s disease is commonly referred to as leprosy and has been regarded as a punishment sent by heaven. The patients are usually despised, and by doing so, they are completely isolated from society. It should not be like that. I believe we must manufacture a live vaccine as soon as possible.”

Ji-hyuk’s determination seemed firm.

“Hmm, that makes sense, but what if this sample is not chickenpox? What will you do if you misdiagnosed it?”

“I think you must take responsibility for that, Professor.”

“What? Me?”

Olsen wore a dumbfounded expression.

“Yes. I respect you, Professor, and I hold your teachings in high esteem. Therefore, if I happened to make a mistake, I believe it is your responsibility! If you are going to protect me to the end, you should take responsibility, Professor.”

“Oops! What kind of nonsense is that again?”

“I am sorry. That is how much I consider your teachings to be a mandate from heaven.”

“Ahem, I understand. I will send this sample to my home country as quickly as possible to confirm it. By the way…”

Was it said that one cannot spit on a smiling face?

Olsen wore a faint smile on his lips as if he did not feel too bad. Then, he quickly changed his expression.

“Please speak.”

“By any chance, did you tell that grandfather that the child named A-yeong does not have Hansen’s disease?”

“No. I did not tell him.”

“Why is that?”

Professor Olsen asked curiously.

“Because if I had told Chairman Han Chang-gyu the truth, I wouldn’t have been able to make this kind of contract.”

Kim Ji-hyuk showed the contract that Chairman Han Chang-gyu had written for him to Professor Olsen.

“Hmm, ten million won… That is a huge amount of money.”

Professor Olsen shook his head side to side.

“Yes. With this much money, it is enough to build a sanatorium that can accommodate all the Hansen’s disease patients in this Busan and Gyeongnam region.”

“Hmm, so that was indeed your intention?”

Professor Olsen saw right through Kim Ji-hyuk’s inner thoughts.

“Yes. In the current South Korea, Hansen’s disease is called a punishment from heaven, leprosy, or the leper’s disease, and it is a disease that makes people tremble in fear. Even, when someone contracts Hansen’s disease, there are times when they are regarded as a dead person and a funeral is held for them.”

“No. Hansen’s disease is not such a serious illness. Its infectivity is not high compared to other infectious diseases either.”

“That is correct. Nevertheless, it is also true that many people suffer unjustly due to incorrect medical knowledge. It was deeply regrettable that the reality was such that even terrible infant murders occurred because it was rumored that a child’s liver was effective for Hansen’s disease.”

It was the turbulent 1950s, confused by a mixture of ridiculous superstitions and medical ignorance.

“Hmm, I think I have heard that rumor as well. Is that why you made this contract with Chairman Han Chang-gyu?”

“Yes. Sooner or later, rifampicin, a treatment for Hansen’s disease, will be developed. My idea was to create a place where Hansen’s disease patients could rest comfortably and recuperate until then. Therefore, I did not reveal to Chairman Han Chang-gyu that his granddaughter does not have Hansen’s disease!”

“Did I by any chance tell you that I like you?”

Then, Professor Olsen smiled brightly and said.

“Pardon? No, you have never said that.”

“Then I shall say it today. I really like you. Make sure that your heart of cherishing patients like that never changes.”

Professor Olsen wore a pleased smile.

“Yes, Professor! I only followed your teachings. Anyway, I hope you will keep all of this a secret, Professor.”

“As long as you do not blab, I do not think that will happen. I am originally a person with a very tight lip.”

Winking—

Professor Olsen closed one eye while looking at Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Ah, yes.”

“By the way, I think you just called the treatment for Hansen’s disease rifampicin, but has it already been named? As far as I know, it is still under development?”

Olsen tilted his head.

“Ah, no. A new species was discovered in the soil collected from the pine forest in Nice, France, and I think I caught a glimpse of it being called rifamycinica…”

Kim Ji-hyuk was startled and quickly made an excuse.

“Ah, is that so? It is a term I am hearing for the first time, so it is unfamiliar.”

‘What is it? I don’t remember well. I feel like this was about the time when it first came out… Oh well, whatever!’

“Yes. I also just heard it in passing… It might not be correct.”

When he finished his meeting with Professor Olsen and came out of his room like that.

“Dr. Kim, let’s talk for a moment?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki, who had been waiting outside, beckoned with his finger toward Kim Ji-hyuk.

‘Such a bat-like man! When did he come here again?’

* * *

Professor Jo Dong-ki’s office.

“Did you go to Chairman Han’s house for the house call?”

“Yes, I returned safely.”

Kim Ji-hyuk spoke with a flat expression.

“Hmm, and nothing special happened?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki scanned Kim Ji-hyuk’s expression.

‘Why? Do you want to ask if I was surprised that the granddaughter of that house has Hansen’s disease? But what to do? I don’t think things will go as you intended.’

“Yes. Nothing special happened.”

Kim Ji-hyuk still wore a lukewarm expression.

“Really? Is that so? The granddaughter of that house seemed to be very sick?”

He had an expression that said there was no way that could be.

Professor Jo Dong-ki, finding Kim Ji-hyuk’s response dull, narrowed his eyes and sent a suspicious glance.

‘He isn’t curious about the granddaughter’s condition, but rather more curious about Chairman Han Chang-gyu’s treatment of me. But what to do? I feel like I’m about to get my hands on a huge sum of ten million won without even lifting a finger.’

“Yes. She seemed a bit sick. So, I decided to treat her for the time being.”

“A bit sick?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki, wearing a feigned look of surprise, opened his eyes wide in embarrassment.

“Why is that? Didn’t you also examine the child and know well, Professor?”

“Y-yes. Setting that aside, you are going to treat her for the time being? What are you treating?”

‘Suffer in anxiety!’

“Since she is suffering from an illness, shouldn’t she be treated? Didn’t you also send me to that house for that reason, Professor?”

Kim Ji-hyuk asked back bluntly.

“That is… true, but are you trying to say your treatment is effective right now?”

‘Of course, if it were Hansen’s disease, how could it be effective? But, unfortunately, it is not Hansen’s disease, you quack professor!’

“Yes. It wasn’t an untreatable disease. Chairman Han’s granddaughter is recovering bit by bit.”

‘What kind of trick is this bastard playing now? The granddaughter of that house has Hansen’s disease. Don’t you know leprosy? Is leprosy a disease that responds to the treatment of a greenhorn like you!’

“S-she is recovering??”

Professor Jo Dong-ki reacted as if it were absurd.

“Yes.”

Kim Ji-hyuk answered shortly in a provocative manner to the question.

“I-is that so? That is good news.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki let out a hollow laugh as if dejected. However, there was no way his mind could be at ease.

Professor Jo Dong-ki still did not withdraw his suspicious glance.

With Kim Ji-hyuk’s skill, there was no way he would fail to recognize Hansen’s disease. However, since he calmly claimed it was a disease that could be cured, Jo Dong-ki was heavily on guard, wondering what his intentions were.

“Then I will excuse myself now.”

“W-wait a moment!”

As Kim Ji-hyuk tried to stand up, Professor Jo Dong-ki held back his steps.

“Did Chairman Han not say anything else in particular? Surely, there must have been some orders he gave?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki was struggling to find a clue somehow.

“Yes. Nothing other than asking me to take good care of his granddaughter. So I told him I would treat her well and make her recover as quickly as possible.”

‘Chairman Han is not that kind of person… It would be right for him to threaten that he would not let things go if the secret leaked out or if the disease was not cured. Besides, since I slipped away, he must have been even more furious. And that anger should be directed twice as much toward Kim Ji-hyuk, who appeared as a substitute. Sigh. Goodness, it is frustrating to not know how things are going. What on earth is he plotting?’

“I understand. Go on and attend to your work. Originally, I should have gone for the house call, but as I said before, this week there is a serious issue at the Gwangju Artillery School.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki wore an awkward expression.

“It is fine. Since the war is in full swing now, I believe that task is also important. Please take care of your business and return safely.”

*Bow.*

Kim Ji-hyuk bowed to Professor Jo Dong-ki.

“Thank you. For thinking so.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Yes. Anyway. I am sorry for not paying attention.”

‘Sorry? Thanks to you, I’m about to get my hands on a huge sum of ten million won, so I’m even more grateful!’

“It is fine. Then I will be leaving now.”

“Yes. Keep up the good work.”

Professor Jo Dong-ki could not shake off the very uncomfortable feeling.

‘Suffer in anxiety!’

Kim Ji-hyuk hummed a song as he left Professor Jo Dong-ki’s office.

A moment later.

“What on earth is going on? By now, shouldn’t at least one of that guy’s wrists be broken?”

Professor Jo Dong-ki could not hide his embarrassment at Kim Ji-hyuk’s perfectly fine appearance.

As soon as Kim Ji-hyuk went outside, he muttered and assessed the situation.

“I must check it myself!”

With that, Jo Dong-ki hastily called Butler Hwang.

“Butler Hwang, how is Miss A-yeong’s condition now?”

—I do not know either.

“You do not know? What does that mean?”

‘What kind of nonsense is this again?’

Professor Jo Dong-ki bit his lips with a dumbfounded expression.