Devil’s Music

At Georgia General Hospital.

After finishing the rounds for the VIP patient Dariya Miochichi, Yuri Glushakov, a seasoned 58-year-old doctor, felt something was off about her condition and immediately ordered a tissue biopsy and MRI for her.

A month had passed since his conversation with Gregory, but her condition, supposedly due to the effects of painkillers, was incomprehensibly severe.

Sitting alone in his office, Yuri waited for her test results, his chin propped on his hand.

"It doesn't make sense. Given the speed of cancer metastasis, Dariya Miochichi should be on death's doorstep, yet she shows such a peaceful smile."

A month ago, knowing her condition was beyond treatment, he had halted all tests and chemotherapy. Since regular testing was also stopped, getting her test results was now urgent.

Putting aside other appointments, Yuri anxiously awaited the results when he heard a knock.

"Come in!"

A young doctor in his thirties entered, carrying a thick envelope of documents.

"Yes, Doctor."

"Alright, let's see."

The young doctor pulled out MRI films from the envelope and attached them to the light. He handed over the rest of the envelope as he had over ten images posted.

"The tissue biopsy results are also included."

Despite the young doctor's words, Yuri, fixated only on the MRI, muttered to himself.

"It was primary renal cancer. Dariya Miochichi had paraneoplastic syndrome (hypertension, hypercalcemia, non-metastatic liver dysfunction, erythrocytosis, etc.) and showed symptoms of metastasis like dyspnea, cough, seizures, headaches, and bone pain. Show me the nurse's chart they've checked."

The young doctor extracted a chart from the envelope and handed it to Yuri, whose eyes widened.

"Huh? Is this properly checked?"

The young doctor nodded seriously.

"All symptoms that could cause the patient distress have been alleviated. I couldn't believe it myself and called the head nurse to check, but it's impossible for nurses working in shifts to all record the same lie, Doctor."

Yuri flipped through another chart and asked.

"How about the liver failure symptoms?"

The young doctor shook his head.

"Just a month ago, she had jaundice and ascites and underwent several forced ascites removals. She couldn't eat for three days due to bleeding from esophageal varices. The last ascites removal was three weeks ago, and the jaundice has disappeared."

Yuri frowned and pointed at the MRI.

"What's going on here? The MRI shows that cancer progression has stopped, but she still has the chart of a seriously ill end-stage cancer patient. Normally, even if the disease's progression temporarily halted, she should be experiencing multiple complications. And in the case of liver cancer, she should be in extreme pain, but she's not feeling such pain, which is strange. Should we report this as a special case to the medical association?"

The young doctor crossed his arms and stared intently at the MRI.

"As you know, the photos show no advancement of the disease. The cancer metastasized areas are the same as a month ago; there's just no further progression. Of course, that's miraculous in itself, but the most baffling part is that she's not feeling any pain."

Yuri set down the chart and looked at the MRI in agreement.

"Yes, end-stage cancer patients should be in so much agony that even amputating an arm wouldn't be noticeable due to the intense pain from metastasized cancer cells. But this is..."

"There's something we don't know. We need to research this, Doctor."

Yuri grimaced and pointed at the patient's basic information.

"Do you know who this patient is?"

"No, but for the advancement of human medicine, we must be willing to make any sacrifice and put her on the research list, Doctor."

"She's the mother of Red Mafia boss Gregory Miochichi. Willing to make any sacrifice? One word from him, and our hospital could disappear from this earth within a day."

The young doctor visibly panicked. The Red Mafia was synonymous with danger globally, but the fear that name instilled was even more tremendous in Russia.

"Re... Red Mafia boss's mother?"

Yuri sighed deeply and rested his hands on his forehead.

"Phew... Yeah. How would we even manage to bribe him to let us research this without immediately getting our heads chopped off?"

The young doctor wiped the sweat from his brow.

"That's unfortunate..."

Yuri looked at the MRI results again and after a long silence, he finally spoke.

"So you're saying she's not getting better? Hmm... let's keep watching a little longer."

"Yes, I'll keep checking every hour and report back."

* * *

At the convention hall in Downtown New York General Hospital.

Byeonjun and Geon were sitting and listening to a report about the therapeutic effects of

music therapy. As the treatment results were discussed, Byeonjun turned pale and asked.

"So, you're saying music therapy was effective? Really?"

Larry nodded with a smile.

"Yes, as you can see, there's a noticeable improvement. That's why we organized this meeting to discuss potentially increasing the number of sample patients."

Murphy, the director sitting in the front row, stood up in front of Geon and Byeonjun.

"Our board formally requests to renew the confidentiality agreement and pay the royalties for using the sound sources before proceeding with research on more sample patients."

Byeonjun hesitated, weighing the risk of leaks from his unreleased album, when he noticed Geon sitting silently beside him. Catching Geon's gaze, Byeonjun chuckled.

"I know what you're going to say, just stay quiet."

"Brother..."

"I know, kid. But we need to think this through. We have to consider the risks before we act."

Resolved, Geon spoke firmly.

"It doesn't matter if it can't be included in the album because of a leak. Music can be made again, but lives can't be recreated. Not unless you're God."

Byeonjun sighed at Geon's stubbornness.

"Sigh, who can argue with your stubbornness? So, you're okay with not including 'The Song of Water' in the album if it leaks? I'll report that to the company?"

"Yes, please do that, brother."

Byeonjun examined Geon's expression and then bowed his head, pondering for a moment before asking softly.

"Is it because of Kim Mijin, that lady?"

Geon nodded quietly, prompting another sigh from Byeonjun who picked up his phone and stood up to speak to Murphy.

"I'll discuss it with the company since the musician has agreed, and get back to you after making a call. Just give me a moment, please."

Murphy clenched his fist with a bright expression.

"Thank you. I'll wait."

Although not fully authorized yet, the doctors watching them cheered internally.

More than forty doctors waited anxiously outside the convention hall for Byeonjun to return from making the call.

The ticking of the clock sounded unusually loud in the quiet hall as they all, including Geon, waited for Byeonjun with the same expression.

Larry, observing Geon, smiled and said.

"You, a musician, have the heart of a doctor. I truly respect that."

Murphy, hearing Larry's words, nodded vigorously.

"Indeed, I have great respect for you."

Blushing from the praise of the two men, Geon watched the door Byeonjun had exited through.

Soon, the door opened, and all forty heads turned toward it. Byeonjun, feeling the expectant gazes upon him, looked around and finally met Geon's eyes. His head slowly nodded, and a loud cheer erupted in the hall.

"Hooray!!!!!!!!"

"That's the way!!!"

"Ha-ha-ha!! Thank you, thank you!"

Murphy raised his hand as if the conversation wasn't over yet, and the doctors quickly quieted down. Still tense, he asked carefully.

"So... how many more sample patients can we have?"

Byeonjun returned to his seat, placed his phone on the table, and grabbed Geon's shoulder.

"Leave it to Kay."

Murphy turned his head towards Geon and asked.

"Excuse me? What do you mean by 'leave it to him'?"

Byeonjun grinned, looking at Geon's profile.

"All decisions regarding this matter will be delegated to Kay by Fantagio. From now on, any decisions about 'The Song of Water' can be made by consulting with Kay without waiting for an official stance from the company. Kay's will is Fantagio's will."

Hearing Byeonjun's words, the doctors once again erupted into loud cheers, throwing their documents into the air.

"Wow!!!!!!!!"

As the doctors began to stand and applaud, everyone in the hall stood up to applaud Geon.

Sitting quietly, grateful for the company's decision, Geon softly spoke to Byeonjun.

"Is this Director Lin's decision?"

Byeonjun slightly nodded and replied.

"Director Lin discussed this directly with Chairman Wang Hao."

"Thank you, brother."

"Thank Director Lin, not me. Sigh, always getting us into money-losing deals. You're not planning on taking any royalties, are you?"

Geon playfully smiled and tilted his head.

"Hehe? How did you know?"

"Man, Director Lin saw it coming. Do as you wish."

"Ha-ha, that's Director Lin for you."

Murphy, overhearing their conversation, exclaimed in surprise.

"You're not taking royalties? That's not possible. Your music, crafted with so much effort, shouldn't be taken for granted by the medical community. Please accept the royalties."

Byeonjun chuckled and looked at Geon, who stood up and stopped applauding

to listen to the surprised doctors. Meeting the eyes of each doctor, Geon smiled broadly and said.

"Any royalties should be donated to improve the mental ward environment. Please use it to provide a better treatment environment for the patients."

Murphy was speechless. Larry, too, stared at Geon and Byeonjun, and a hushed silence fell over the hall. An anonymous doctor muttered softly.

"An angel... Is he an angel?"

>

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