2025-03-17 01:00:56"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,
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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
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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
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 127: Desperate Measures
Serena’s knees buckled as the video ended, her hand flying to her mouth to muffle a broken sob.The sight of Joaquin being dragged into that black van played over and over in her mind — the way he barely had a chance to react, how fast it had all happened.It was like a nightmare brought to life.“No…” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “No, no, no—this can’t be happening!”Rick stood frozen, his jaw tight and his eyes locked on the monitor as if willing the footage to show something more — a plate number, a clearer face, anything.But there was nothing.Just that van and the two men wh
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 128: A Dangerous Trade
Joaquin wiped his hands on a rag, his fingers aching from hours of treating the wounded. The last of the injured men winced as Joaquin tightened the bandage on his arm. “That’s the best I can do,” Joaquin said, his voice rough from exhaustion. “You’ll live.”The man grunted his thanks, and Joaquin stood, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension there. His eyes flicked toward Lorenzo, who had been watching him from the other side of the room. The leader’s expression was unreadable, his scarred face made even more severe by the flickering light.“I kept my end of the deal,” Joaquin said, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him. “Now it’s your turn.”Lorenzo nodded slowly, motioning for him to follow. Joaquin trailed after him, his heartbeat quickening. They passed through a narrow corridor and into a small room lined with old maps and scattered papers. A single table sat in the center, covered in documents and weapons.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 129: Escape and Decisions
Joaquin’s head was pounding.Across the small table between them, Lorenzo lounged in his chair like a man who owned the world. There was an easy, dangerous confidence in the way he smiled—like he knew exactly how much power he held and had no intention of letting it go."Now is the time, Mr. Diaz. Tell me more about that organization," Joaquin said. He didn’t waste a single moment. "And then you let me go."Lorenzo took a slow drag from his cigar, watching Joaquin with amusement."Oh, I don’t think so, Doctor. You still owe me—and I’m not in the business of letting people walk away without paying their debts."Joaquin frowned. "What? You’ve already gotten what you wanted from me, Mr.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 130: Running out of time
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 131: A Dangerous Lead
Jasmine was slipping through his fingers, and if he didn’t act soon, he feared there wouldn’t be anything left to save.That was why, despite everything in his gut screaming at him not to, he went to see Lorenzo.One last time.The meeting took place in a secluded café on the outskirts of the city.Lorenzo was already there when Joaquin arrived, sitting in a corner booth with his back to the wall.“You’re late,” Lorenzo said without looking up.“I’m here,” Joaquin replied, sliding into the seat across from him. “Let’s get this over with.”Lorenzo finally met his e
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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
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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—
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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.
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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.
—— To be Continued... ——
