The atmosphere in Room 214 of Chunglim Hospital returned to silence after the vanishing shimmering light. Kim Min-ho remained still, trying to comprehend what had just happened. His eyes kept staring at the spot where the light disappeared, seeking answers to his bewilderment. Yet, everything felt like floating between dream and reality.
"Was that really Dewa Haneullim?" Min-ho muttered in confusion. He felt as though an invisible thread had pulled him from the realm of dreams into the world of reality. Still, he couldn't fully believe what he had just experienced.
Meanwhile, nurse Ji-eun entered the room again for her routine check-up. She saw Min-ho's perplexed face and asked, "Are you okay, Min-ho-ssi?"
Min-ho smiled awkwardly, trying to hide his wonder. "Ah, yes, I'm fine, Ji-eun-ssi. I'm just a bit puzzled by the strange dream I had earlier."
Ji-eun nodded in understanding and proceeded to check Min-ho's blood pressure and heartbeat. She was always meticulous in performing her duties as a nurse, but behind that, there was warmth she always conveyed to Min-ho, as both a friend and a caregiver.
After Ji-eun finished, Min-ho sat back on his bed. His thoughts continued to revolve around the encounter with the luminous figure. He held his head with trembling hands, trying to make sense of what had just transpired.
"Could it all be just an illusion from the medication I received?" he whispered to himself.
Yet, a tingling feeling persisted, as if a magnet was pulling him toward the radiant figure. His curiosity surged, and eventually, Min-ho made the decision to seek further information about the mystery.
He searched for "Haneullim" on his phone's internet browser. However, his efforts were in vain. There was no information about that figure or anything resembling the experience he had just undergone. This added to his confusion, making him feel even more entangled between reality and illusion.
Finally, Min-ho decided to dismiss the incident and consider it merely an odd dream. He knew there was a scheduled routine check-up the next day, and he wanted to get a good night's sleep to keep his condition at its best.
His tired body surrendered its strength, and with heavy eyes, Min-ho fell asleep with mixed feelings. In his slumber, he was haunted once again by the gleaming light and the mysterious figure.
In the dream, the figure spoke to him, "Min-ho, your presence in this world carries deep significance. Do not overlook the blessings I have bestowed upon you."
The radiant figure held his hand, and Min-ho felt a warm stream of energy flowing into him. He sensed a powerful vitality, filling his body with unimaginable strength.
"Meaning? What blessings do you mean?" Min-ho inquired, trying to digest every word from the figure.
However, before the figure could respond, the shimmering light faded again, and Min-ho woke up gasping for breath. This time, his bewilderment deepened. Was it just a dream? Or was there a red thread connecting the strange events he had experienced?
As dawn began to break, Min-ho resolved to pursue the truth. He wanted to find answers to the mysterious encounter with the luminous figure, whether it truly happened or was merely a product of his imagination. However, as he remembered the scheduled check-up, his wonderment was put on hold.
That morning, the sunlight slipped through the window of Room 214 at Chunglim Hospital, casting a gentle warmth. The chirping of birds outside accompanied the bright morning atmosphere. Everything seemed so normal and peaceful, but for Kim Min-ho, confusion and worry about the events of the previous night continued to swirl in his mind.
After taking a shower and putting on his hospital gown, Min-ho prepared himself for his routine health checkup. He wanted to ensure that his physical condition remained stable despite his ongoing battle against Chrono Syndrome.
Nurse Ji-eun came again to assist Min-ho with the morning preparations. She helped him put on the hospital coat and made sure everything was ready before heading to the examination room.
"How are you feeling this morning, Min-ho-ssi?" Ji-eun asked while adjusting the coat on Min-ho's body.
Min-ho sighed and gave a weak smile, "Honestly, I feel a bit anxious. The routine scheduling always makes me a little nervous."
Ji-eun gently touched his shoulder, "Everything will be alright, Min-ho-ssi. We'll always be here for you."
Encouraged by Ji-eun's support, Min-ho felt somewhat relieved. They walked together towards the examination room. Along the corridor, Min-ho saw the faces of other patients who were also fighting their own illnesses. He felt inspired by their strength and resilience, which only fueled his determination to face his life's journey with high spirits.
Upon reaching the examination room, Min-ho was welcomed by Dr. Yoo Jin-woo, the specialist who had been taking care of him. Dr. Yoo was a seasoned professional who showed great empathy towards his patients.
"Good morning, Min-ho. How are you feeling today?" Dr. Yoo asked with a warm smile.
Min-ho replied sincerely, "Good morning, Dr. Yoo. I feel a bit tired, but my spirits are still high."
Dr. Yoo nodded understandingly. "That's good to hear. Let's start with your routine checkup."
The routine checkup for Chrono Syndrome involved a series of meticulous tests. First, they checked Min-ho's heart rate and blood pressure. Second, they conducted blood tests to monitor enzyme levels and substances related to the disease.
After that, Min-ho underwent body imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs to assess the condition of his vital organs. This process sometimes made him a little anxious, but he tried to stay calm to ensure smooth testing.
Lastly, Min-ho underwent respiratory function tests to ensure the preservation of his lung capacity. Breathing was critical for Chrono Syndrome patients, and the results of this test were crucial in monitoring the progression of his illness.
After completing all the examination procedures, Min-ho sat in the waiting room with Ji-eun. He felt relieved that the checkup had gone smoothly. However, a sense of apprehension still lingered. He couldn't wait to get the test results, yet at the same time, he was afraid of what the results might reveal about his physical condition.
A few moments later, Dr. Yoo returned with the examination results. His face looked serious, yet filled with sincerity and caution. "The results of your checkup show that your physical condition is relatively stable for now, Min-ho," he said wisely.
Min-ho felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders and heart. He thanked Dr. Yoo and felt incredibly fortunate to have a medical team that cared so much about his well-being.
However, just as he left the examination room, that sense of unease crept back. He couldn't shake off the image of the radiant figure and the mysterious encounter from his mind.