2025-03-13 01:00:50Joaquin stood near the heavy oak table in the private room, fists clenched at his sides, his pulse a steady drumbeat of anger.
Across from him, George Beckham leaned back in his chair like a king on his throne — relaxed, smug, and entirely too pleased with himself.
It took everything in Joaquin not to flip the table between them.
“So, what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Lopez?” George started, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. He took a slow sip, his eyes fixed on Joaquin, full of quiet mockery.
Joaquin tried to stay calm, but just seeing the man made his blood boil. For everything George had done — to Miguel, to Master Iroh, and now his sister — the urge to end him right here and now was nearly overwhelming.
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 119: Desperation and Preparation
Joaquin slammed the door behind him harder than he meant to.The sound echoed through the quiet house, but it didn’t help the frustration burning in his chest.He stood in the entryway, fists clenched at his sides, willing himself to breathe — slow and deep — but it wasn’t working. Not tonight.“Joaquin?” Serena’s voice floated from the kitchen, soft and cautious.A second later, she appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her eyes swept over him, taking in his tense posture, the storm written all over his face.“What happened?”He wanted to tell her everything. The fight with George.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 120: The Calm Before the Storm
Joaquin sat on the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees, his head bowed.The weight of everything pressed down on him: Jasmine’s coma, George Beckham’s threats, the whispers of the Black Viper Society — and the fight looming just ahead.It wasn’t just a competition anymore. It hadn’t been for a long time.He felt the mattress shift, and then Serena’s hand slipped into his. Warm and steady. She didn’t say anything at first, and he was grateful for that.Right now, words felt too thin, too fragile to carry the storm inside him.But eventually, she spoke — soft and quiet, like a lifeline.“You’re scaring me.&
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 121: Shadows in the Dark
Rick sat in his cluttered office, his eyes burning from hours of staring at the screen.The dim light of the desk lamp cast long shadows across the room, and the soft hum of the computer was the only sound breaking the silence.The walls were lined with files and documents — a chaotic collage of everything he’d been able to dig up on the Black Viper Society. And still, it wasn’t enough.“This doesn’t make sense,” he muttered.For a group that seemed to have its claws in everything — from illegal experiments to soul manipulation — there should’ve been more. More whispers, more rumors, more… something. But no matter where he looked, it was like the Black Viper Society was a ghost.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 122: A Familiar Face in an Unfamiliar Place
Joaquin’s head pounded like a drum, the dull throb pulling him out of the suffocating blackness.The air around him was thick with the scent of leather, cigar smoke, and something sharper—like the lingering tang of blood.His eyelids fluttered open, and it took a moment for his vision to adjust to the dim light.The room was dark, save for the warm glow of a single desk lamp. Shadows danced across the wood-paneled walls, making the space feel even smaller and more oppressive. Joaquin tried to move, but his wrists wouldn’t budge.He looked down, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the thick rope binding his arms to the chair’s wooden frame. His ankles were tied just as tight.“
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 123: The Price of Freedom
"Looks like you’re interested, Doctor. And if you want information on the Black Viper Society… you’ll have to earn it."Joaquin’s stomach twisted. "And how exactly do I do that?" he asked, though he already knew the answer."By doing what you do best," Lorenzo said simply. "I’ve got men who need medical attention. Men who’ve been on the receiving end of the Black Viper Society’s… experiments."Joaquin’s blood ran cold."You treat them," Lorenzo continued, "and I’ll tell you everything I know."It wasn’t really a choice — not when the Black Viper Society was involved. Joaquin needed answers. And if helping Lorenzo’s men was the price… well,
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 124: Wounds That Tell a Story
Joaquin’s hands moved on their own — precise, steady — even as his mind churned with questions he didn’t dare voice.The room around him faded, the low groans and shallow breathing of the injured men merging into a distant hum.Right now, there was only the patient in front of him.The man was pale, his skin clammy and stretched too tight over prominent bones. Blood matted his hair, and his breathing was shallow, lips parted as if every breath was an effort.Joaquin’s fingers brushed his wrist, searching for a pulse — faint, but there.“You’re lucky,” Joaquin murmured, not expecting an answer. “But we’ll see if that luck holds.”
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 125: Whispers of the Black Viper
Rick paced the dimly lit room, the floorboards creaking under his boots.The air felt heavy, thick with tension and the scent of old wood and dust.Miguel Suarez sat across the room, his dark eyes tracking Rick’s every move with a calmness that bordered on unnerving.“You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor,” Miguel finally said, his voice dry and quiet.“I’ll stop when we get answers,” Rick shot back.His frustration curled tight in his chest, coiled and ready to snap.Miguel tilted his head, studying him with that same unreadable expression.“We’ll get
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 126: Running Out of Time
Rick watched the man disappear down the hallway, his shoulders stiff and his face unreadable. The tension in the air lingered long after Alvarez was gone.Miguel remained in his chair, the map Alvarez had given them clenched tightly in his hand. His knuckles were white from the pressure, his mind racing.Rick turned, his eyes sharp. “He won’t last long out there. If the Black Viper Society knows he’s talked…”“They’ll make sure he never talks again,” Miguel finished grimly.He knew this organization well — too well. And he wasn’t surprised they’d attacked Alvarez in the first place. This was what they did.Miguel placed the map on the table carefully, his voic
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Chapter 200: The Ring’s Reckoning
The sting of blood in his mouth was sharp.Metallic.Familiar.But it was the pressure in his gut—the searing pain of Lina's clawed hand still warm from piercing him—that blurred the edges of Joaquin’s vision.He couldn’t move.Not right away.His body was frozen from shock, heat and cold dancing across his spine like a cruel joke.He gasped for air, lips trembling, eyes barely holding onto the sight of Lina’s triumphant smirk.“Thanks for surrendering the ring to me,” she whispered again, her voice soaked in vict
Chapter 199: The Final battle 1
The arena was silent.Joaquin couldn’t deny the nerves coiling in his stomach as he stood at the edge, preparing for his final match.He had triumphed in his last two battles. But even before this one began, he knew—it was going to be hard.Not because his opponent was powerful.But because once again, he would be facing her—Lina.The same girl who had stolen his ring.To this day, she hadn’t given him a single reason why.He used to think he didn’t want to know. But when he saw her fight, he realized—there was som
Chapter 198: Shadows and Sparks
After his earlier match, Joaquin chose to stay in the room for a while longer, waiting for the call to his next battle.Outside, the muffled cheers of the crowd echoed through the concrete walls—constant, rhythmic waves of energy that reminded him: the war was far from over.He shut his eyes for a moment and let the ambient noise fade into the background.Then came a soft knock.A young attendant peeked in, eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and nerves. “Mr. Lopez, the next round’s schedule has been posted. Your match is in two hours.”Joaquin gave a small nod, offering a faint but polite smile. “Thank you.”As the door clicked shut, he stoo
Chapter 197: The First Clash
Joaquin woke up early the next day, readying himself for his first match. Stage Two of the competition had officially begun.He was already inside the waiting room, silently preparing as he waited for his turn. From where he sat, he could hear the roar of the crowd echoing from the arena. There were a few matches scheduled before his, which gave him time—but not peace.The arena was vast—an expanse of polished concrete with high ceilings that amplified every sound. Bright lights bathed the place in a sterile glow, casting long shadows that danced with every movement. Rows upon rows of seats circled the central platform, where the fighters for Stage Two were beginning to prove themselv
Chapter 196: The Last 50
Joaquin adjusted the collar of his coat as he stood outside the grand venue, staring up at the towering building before him. The banquet for the fifty remaining contenders of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition was being held at a luxury estate—one reserved for elite sponsors and facilitators. Nothing about this place felt casual. Every inch screamed prestige, wealth, and quiet pressure.He wasn’t nervous. But he wasn’t calm, either.For the past two days, he had trained relentlessly at the Suarez estate—throwing punches, dodging blows, simulating combat over and over again with Rick and Cedrick. He barely slept. Barely ate. Not because of the competition—
Chapter 195: A Celebration
After the announcement, Joaquin returned to the Suarez estate. He decided to spend the next three days there to prepare for the upcoming stage. He was already thinking of a plan—how to get his ring back.“Well, congratulations to you, Joaquin! I knew you'd make it,” Miguel said, beaming. He sounded like a proud father celebrating his son’s success.He raised his wine glass.Joaquin gave a small smile and toasted with him.As a celebration of his victory, Miguel had prepared a dinner.Rick and Cedrick were also there to join them.Miguel sat at the center of the long dining table. His son sat to his right, while Joaquin sat to his left.
Chapter 194: The Announcement
Joaquin didn’t stay long at the hospital. As soon as he had recovered, he left immediately. An invitation card had arrived for him—sent by the facilitator of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition. That day, the winners of Stage One would be officially announced.Joaquin didn’t really want to go. But he had something he needed to get back. He had to reclaim his ring. And he was certain Lina would be there.He didn’t bother dressing up. He simply wore the formal suit Rick had lent him. Rick also drove him to the venue.He entered the hall.
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.
—— To be Continued... ——
