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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 12: A Twist of Fate
As the security guards moved in closer, preparing to take Joaquin into custody, Serena stepped forward. She raised her hand to halt them, her voice clear. "Stop! You cannot just act without following the proper procedures! This is a hospital, not a battlefield!"Antonio sneered. "Procedures? This man assaulted my son! I don’t need to follow any rules when my family is involved."Serena’s eyes flashed with determination as she stepped in front of Joaquin. "You’re abusing your power, Mr. Alvarez! If you take one more step, you’ll be in direct violation of hospital regulations!"Antonio’s expression didn’t waver, his anger still burning. "I don’t care about regulations when it comes to my son! This ends now!" He gestured sharply to the guards, signaling them to move forward.Joaquin knew he had no choice but to stand his ground. His earlier restraint had already been a concession. But Serena, despite her calm demeanor, wasn’t backing down.Before anyone could act, a sleek Maybach
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 13: The Aura of Death
In the quiet hum of the car, Joaquin sighed deeply and turned to his sister, Jasmine. "I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess today. You didn’t deserve any of it."Jasmine glanced at him with a gentle smile. "You’re my brother. You don’t have to apologize for standing up for me." She paused, her voice softening. "But you have to take care of yourself too. If things don’t work out at the hospital, it’s not the end of the world. You can find another path."Joaquin nodded, though his jaw tightened. He knew she was right, but the thought of leaving behind the career he had worked so hard for wasn’t easy.Jasmine hesitated before adding, "And Mikyla... she’s not the same person anymore. You deserve someone who values you for who you are, not what they can gain from you."He let her words sink in, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I’ll think about it," he promised. "And I’ll be home early for dinner tonight."Jasmine nodded.Joaquin watched her disappear inside, then turned to Rick,
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 14: The Rare Disease
Joaquin stood frozen, staring at Miguel. “You… are sick?”Joaquin looked at Miguel from head to toe. At first glance, he doesn’t look sick or dying at all. “Yes. It’s exactly what you heard.” Joaquin stepped back. “And you want me to treat you?”His voice wavered between disbelief and panic.Miguel gave a slow nod, his gaze steady and unwavering. "I wouldn’t have called for you if I didn’t think you were capable.""But… I’m just a regular doctor," Joaquin argued. "I’m not some miracle worker! There are specialists—people who’ve studied rare diseases their whole lives. Why me?"Miguel faintly smirked playing on his lips. "Because they failed. All of them. You wouldn’t want to know how many doctors had already seen me, but they all failed. You’re my last chance, Joaquin."“I… I don’t think I can do it too if they cannot!” he exclaimed. Rick stepped closer, his imposing figure adding weight to Miguel’s words. "He’s not exaggerating, Mr. Lopez. The others who refused or couldn’t d
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 15: Days Numbered
"If I’m being honest... this looks terminal. Whatever’s happening to you, it’s progressing fast. I’d estimate you have less than seven days—maybe less."Rick’s glare darkened. "Watch your mouth, doc. Do you realize who you’re talking to?"Miguel lifted a hand, his voice calm but commanding. "Let him finish."Joaquin hesitated but pressed on. "I think you’ve been poisoned. This isn’t an ordinary illness. From everything I’ve observed, this points to a rare and lethal compound snake venom.""Snake venom?" Miguel’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained even.Joaquin nodded. "It’s not just any venom, either. It’s engineered to act slowly, making it difficult to detect until it’s too late. Tell me—when did the symptoms first appear?"Miguel’s gaze drifted for a moment before he answered. "The first six months were... normal. I didn’t feel anything unusual. Then came the abdominal pain. At first, it was mild, manageable.""And after that?" Joaquin prompted.Miguel leaned back,
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 16: The Third Eye
“The only way to treat this venom…” Joaquin hesitated, his brow furrowed.Miguel leaned forward, his sharp gaze piercing. “Speak.”“It’s the third eye,” Joaquin finally said.Rick snorted. “The third eye? Sounds like some mystic nonsense.”Joaquin shook his head. “It’s not nonsense. It’s an ancient technique—a secret skill that allows its user to perceive hidden truths. It’s said to reveal spirits, demons, and even the essence of life itself. With the third eye activated, I could trace the venom’s origin and neutralize it.”Miguel’s voice was calm, but a spark of hope lit his eyes. “Can you use it?”Joaquin hesitated again, rubbing the back of his neck. He just inherited his knowledge and still haven’t master it. “I’m… not sure,” he answered hesitantly.“But can you learn it?” Miguel pressed.“I think so.”“How long would it take?” Joaquin sighed.“Months, maybe years. The third eye isn’t just a skill; it’s a state of being. It requires intense meditation, discipline, and a connect
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 17: Bloodletting
Joaquin stopped at the doorway, hesitation flickering across his face. “Wait,” he said, turning back.Miguel raised an eyebrow. “What now?”“I’ve thought of a possible treatment,” Joaquin said, his voice measured but firm. “It won’t cure you, but it might buy you more tiem.”Miguel’s expression darkened. “More time? Don’t toy with me, Joaquin. If this is some half-baked idea—”“It’s bloodletting,” Joaquin interrupted.Miguel barked out a humorless laugh. “Bloodletting? That’s your grand solution? I’ve tried it before, and it didn’t work. You think I haven’t explored every option?”“You haven’t tried it the way I’ll do it,” Joaquin said sharply. “This isn’t ordinary bloodletting. If done properly, it could give you an extra month. That’s time you didn’t have before.”Miguel leaned back, his arms crossed. “A month, huh? Seven days or a month—what’s the difference? I’m just postponing the inevitable.”“It’s more time to find a real cure,” Rick interjected. “More time to tie up loose
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 18: The Tiger Ranking
Joaquin’s phone buzzed just as he stepped outside the diJoaquiny lit room. Andrea’s name flashed on the screen, and he sighed before answering.“Joaquin, where the hell are you?!” Andrea’s voice was sharp, her frustration unmistakable. “You promised you’d come back hours ago!”“Sorry. I got held up. I had to drop my sister off somewhere,” Joaquin said quickly, rubbing his temple. The lie tasted bitter on his tongue, but he can’t explain everything to her now. Andrea was unstable and it might upset her if she learned he was treatening another patient. “I’ll be there soon.”“Make it quick!” Andrea snapped before hanging up.Joaquin slid the phone back into his pocket and turned to Miguel, still lying weakly on the couch, his breathing steadier than before. Rick stood nearby, arms crossed, watching him.“I need to go back to the hospital,” Joaquin said. “There’s a patient waiting for me, and I can’t afford to lose my job.”“I’ll drive you. Boss is stable for now, but I’m not leav
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 19: A Warning
Joaquin stepped into the intensive care unit, the familiar scent of antiseptic hitting him instantly. He paused, his eyebrows shooting up at the unexpected sight before him.“W-What are you doing?” Joaquin stammered, his voice breaking the silence.Andrea was standing beside the bed, struggling with something behind her back. Her outer clothes had been tossed onto the chair, leaving her in a strapless bra and leggings. One hand clutched the edge of a blanket, her smooth skin catching the overhead light.Andrea turned, startled, before breaking into a sheepish grin. “Oh, finally! My hair got caught in my bra clasp. I’ve been trying to untangle it, but I need help.”“Help? Me?”“Yes, you!” She motioned him closer. “Come on, Doctor. It’s not like you haven’t seen worse things working here.”Joaquin hesitated, glancing around the room as if looking for an escape route. But Andrea’s pleading eyes left him no choice. “Fine,” he muttered.He stepped closer, keeping his movements careful
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Chapter 193: Lost Ring
Joaquin slowly opened his eyes.The hum of the fluorescent lights above was the first thing he became aware of. His vision adjusted gradually to the blinding white ceiling. For a few seconds, he just stared up in confusion. The sterile white walls, the smell of antiseptic, the pristine linens... it all registered in bits and pieces.A hospital?He turned his head cautiously. Beside him were machines softly beeping, their rhythm oddly comforting. A drip was attached to his arm. His head ached—not sharp pain, just a dull, persistent throb, like a faded memory of something violent.
Chapter 192: Ending
Joaquin continued walking, gripping his knife tightly. Even after that battle with the creature, he couldn’t let his guard down.His legs were dragging with every step. It was only then he realized one of them had a deep wound.Sure, it wasn’t his first time facing strange creatures—but never something like that... Half-human, or whatever it was.He had a strong suspicion it was part of the Black Viper Society. Maybe one of their failed experiments. Maybe that’s why it turned out that way.When he turned a corner in the maze, his legs finally gave out. He slumped to the ground and leaned against the wall, breathing deeply.
Chapter 191: Surviving
Joaquin didn’t dare blink.The moment he did, he knew he might miss the creature’s next move.The man—if you could even still call him that—stood there motionless, like a statue with skin far too pale to be human. Behind him, the dark tendrils writhed slowly, like snakes savoring their prey before they struck again. The sickening slither and hiss echoed against the stone walls of the maze, creeping beneath Joaquin’s skin.His heart pounded like war drums inside his chest.The thing’s empty eyes locked onto his.“I don’t want to fight you,” Joaquin said, his voice low but steady. “I just want to pass.”Still no respo
Chapter 190: The Tentacle Man
Joaquin’s breath hitched in his throat. His eyes remained fixed on the grotesque sight before him—a mass of long, writhing black tentacles snaking their way out from behind the man. They curled and stretched like they were alive, reaching toward him with eerie intent.He stumbled back, heart pounding against his chest. “What the hell are you?” he muttered under his breath.The man didn’t respond. He just stood there, still and unmoving, like some kind of twisted statue possessed by a dark force. His face was completely expressionless, void of any humanity. It was as if he wasn’t even really present—like the tentacles were controlling him.Joaquin’s eyes darted to the side. He could still run. He hadn’t gotten too close yet. Maybe if he turned around now, he could
Chapter 189: The Day
Joaquin slowly opened his eyes. It felt like his head was being split in two from the weight of it. When he remembered what had happened to him earlier, he suddenly sat up as if waking from a trance. He was startled to find himself in a completely different place. The last thing he remembered was being inside a car. But now, he was somewhere narrow, surrounded by walls covered in thick greenery. In front of him was a path, like a passageway.“Where am I?” Joaquin stood up and tuned
Chapter 188: The Start
Joaquin’s training was intense. He didn’t waste a single second and pushed his skills further.With Miguel’s help, he learned new techniques—moves he had never even heard of.It was during those sessions that he truly witnessed the greatness of a Dragon King. No wonder Miguel still held the title after all these years.Even with age creeping up on him, his movements remained sharp and precise.And finally, the day Joaquin had been waiting for arrived—The start of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition.Winning this would not only skyrocket his rank, but it would also earn him an official title. And then there was the prize money. He’d be a
Chapter 187: Briefing
That evening, Joaquin arrived at the Suarez estate. Rick was already there to greet him and guided him toward Miguel’s office. Once inside, Rick gestured toward the sofa.“You’re back,” Miguel said. He stood from his swivel chair and sat down again—this time on the single-seater sofa near Joaquin.“Yes,” Joaquin replied.“I hope you’re ready now, Joaquin. The Blue Ranking Competition is not something to take lightly. You need to take this seriously.”Joaquin exhaled deeply, clenching his fists.
Chapter 186: Heartaches
Jasmine couldn’t stop crying as she walked out of the house with Joaquin. It hurt—fighting with him like that. Yes, she couldn’t deny the truth forever. Sooner or later, she’d have to tell her brother everything. But she still needed time.She sank weakly into a chair, forcing herself to calm down. She regretted going to their father just to help Joaquin. If it had been up to her, she wouldn’t have done it. But she hadn’t had a choice.If she hadn’t reached out, James would’ve done ev
Chapter 185: What's the truth?
Joaquin almost wanted to tell the taxi driver to fly the car just to get home faster.He needed to talk to Jasmine. If there was anyone who could answer his questions, it was her.If his father was still alive, he needed to know him—and to understand why that truth was kept from him.The moment he arrived, he immediately looked for his sister. He found Jasmine in the kitchen, chopping ingredients for a meal she was preparing."Joaquin? You're home early," Jasmine said, glancing at him briefly before continuing her task.Joaquin sat down at the table and stared at her. His leg bounced nervously as he tried to think of how to start the conversation.Jasmine could feel his gaze
