TFSG 97

Chapter 97

The Terminally Ill Baby Doctor Who Didn’t Hide Her Genius

Ah… this brings back memories.

I woke up from one of my most memorable memories of my third life.

Drip. A droplet of water fell onto my forehead.

In front of me stood a pillar of water—slightly smaller than the one I had created back then.

From the pillar, countless streams of water spread out in all directions. Some streams rummaged through piles of herbs, while others organized medicine bottles in neat rows.

There were far fewer patients now than in the first village I had treated in my third life.

That meant… this much should be manageable even in my current state.

After all, this ability was one of the main reasons I was able to reach the Imperial Palace in my past life.

Wasn’t it called Group Healing?

I remembered the face of the friend who had teased me for giving it such a boring name.

If only you hadn’t betrayed me…

Because of that betrayal, I came to believe there wasn’t a single person in the world worth trusting.

And in the end, my life had also ended in betrayal—killed by the Crown Prince who broke his promise.

I turned my head.

Beside me stood a boy—a new companion I’d met in this life.

Raon was watching with his mouth slightly open in awe.

“Cool, huh? It’s thanks to you that I can heal them.”

My heart softened at the sight of his pure, innocent face.

“Thank you!”

I spread my arms wide and pulled Raon into a tight hug. I felt so happy I thought I could do anything.

“You’re amazing! Really amazing! Thank you so much!”

I kept hugging him until his face turned as red as a ripe tomato.

The treatment lasted until nightfall.

Even so, the speed was astonishing. There were still many people left, and I had to detoxify the new medicine they’d taken.

Ugh… my body aches all over…

By the time I returned home, I was completely drained.

I’d overexerted myself, caught up in the euphoric energy that Raon’s ability had given me.

As a result, I’d completely burned through my strength.

“You don’t actually expect to use that much power and keep it a secret, do you?”

That’s what Sylvester had said when he stopped by earlier. He’d even laughed, saying he was glad he hadn’t misjudged me.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ll give you the address to send letters. Contact me anytime. If you send it there, it’ll reach me the fastest.”

I’d gained someone who would surely be a great help when the time came for me to enter the Imperial City.

I yawned loudly.

“Hey, seriously… just how amazing are you planning to become?”

Beside me on the bed was my uncle, placing a wet towel on my forehead.

At first, he’d scolded me because the towel was too wet.

“Where’s Raon?”

“You’re barely holding up yourself, and you’re asking about your friend? That little fox—Gye-won took him. Said he’s putting him to sleep.”

I wasn’t the only one suffering from the aftermath of overexerting my power.

“Biyu, I can do even better next time!!”

He’d been practically glowing, like me when I awakened my powers—and then collapsed the moment the treatment ended.

By the time we got home, he had turned back into a fox. Maybe he transformed when all his energy ran out?

Raon’s ability definitely amplifies others’ powers.

The lingering euphoria from using that power still tingled throughout my body.

I recalled the whispers from my third life—the gossip that surrounded me.

They insulted me plenty back then, but not a single one of them could deny my skill.

I was acknowledged back then too… but now, this is even better.

Because now, I’m not alone.

Smiling faintly, I closed my eyes.

“Uncle, I was cool today, right?”

“…”

He didn’t answer at first. Then, after a moment, his hesitant hand touched my cheek.

It felt cool.

“…Yeah. Really cool.”

His tone was as dry and curt as ever, but I could hear the embarrassment beneath it.

“Your dad said something earlier. That we should reflect on ourselves if we’re relying on a tiny kid like you.”

“Huh? Dad said that?”

I opened my eyes and looked up at him. Strange. That didn’t sound like something Dad would say.

“Not Uncle?”

“…Yeah.”

He pulled the towel back down over my eyes.

“I think so too. Watching you today… you’re going to be incredible. But you need to get better first.”

I smiled. I wanted to ask if he realized that would only happen if I healed him first—but no words came out.

I was too sleepy…

“When I’m better, let’s go bring Ayan too…”

“…Alright.”

His gentle voice drifted to my ears.

Tap, tap—his clumsy but warm hand patted me softly.

“Sleep now. Rest well.”

With that quiet voice, I slipped into slumber.

Heh… the head of the family’s going to be shocked. Just wait…

I fell asleep, pride blooming in my chest like a medal of honor.

Biyu was sleeping peacefully.

Heukbirang rose from his seat and quietly watched the sleeping child for a long time. He reached out his hand, gauging the small size.

So small.

What kind of burden was this tiny body carrying?

His young niece gave her all to everything she did.

With such overwhelming talent, and the protection of her uncles, she could have lived more slowly, more comfortably.

But she acts like she’s being chased.

And she never really talked about it—what her true goal was, or what she wanted to achieve.

She just healed. As if that was her entire purpose.

“What?”
“I just… I’m not used to people thanking me, that’s all…”

She’d shown glimpses of wounds far too deep for her age.

Every time, Heukbirang had felt his breath catch. Just what have you been through…?

Sometimes he wondered—

If my brothers and I weren’t here for her…

If she’d grown up alone, without the bond that tied her to them—

That overwhelming talent might’ve been exploited, unprotected, twisted by others.

The very thought terrified him.

After watching her a little longer, Heukbirang quietly left the room.

Across the hall, Heukgyewon, sitting slumped against the wall, started to get up in surprise.

Heukbirang hushed him with a soft “shh” and motioned for him to sit back down.

Then, just like his nephew, he sank against the opposite wall.

“Did you keep him with you?”

In Heukgyewon’s arms, the little fox was sleeping soundly.

“Yes. I didn’t want to leave him alone.”

“Good.”

Heukbirang crossed his arms and stared at the closed door.

“You saw it today, right? Her power.”

“Yes, Uncle. I saw it.”

“From now on, protecting that kid’s not going to be easy. She said you’d make a good doctor yourself.”

“…”

“Thinking of changing paths?”

Heukgyewon shot him a sharp look, then composed his face into his usual stoic expression.

“No. I’m going to become a warrior who protects Biyu.”

That stubborn face—it was just like his parents’.

“Fine, suit yourself. Just remember—it’s not an easy path.”

Heukbirang turned his gaze back to the door.

“There’ll be plenty more trouble out there starting today.”

His sharp intuition was already on edge, as though he expected someone to storm in any moment.

And indeed, he wasn’t wrong.

The outside world must be in chaos right now.

He was in charge of the inside—protecting Heukgyewon, Heukbiyu, and Raon.

Outside… were his two older brothers.