2025-03-21 01:01:27Joaquin stood at the edge of the industrial district, his eyes fixed on the warehouse ahead. It loomed in the darkness like a predator — silent, waiting, dangerous.
His gut twisted — Lorenzo’s warnings echoed in his mind — but he pushed them aside. He adjusted the strap of his bag, feeling the comforting weight of Miguel’s blessed knife inside. He was ready. For Jasmine and Serena, he had to be. Keeping to the shadows, Joaquin moved. He slipped through the chain-link fence with ease, his movements swift and silent. Every step brought him closer to the building’s entrance — and closer to danger. The main door was too obvious, too exposed. Instead, he found a side entrance — an old service door. He tested the handle. Locked. Of course. He didn’t have to worry. He placed his hand over the lock, and a surge of heat pulsed from his palm. The metal glowed faintly, and with no resistance, the lock clicked open.
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 133: The Entity in the Dark
The corridor stretched on, narrow and suffocating, as if the walls were slowly closing in. The flickering lights overhead cast long, distorted shadows that danced across the walls, and the further Joaquin moved, the heavier the air became. His breathing grew shallow, his skin prickling with the unmistakable sensation of being watched.At the end of the hall stood a door unlike any of the others — heavy, reinforced metal, covered in those same strange symbols that seemed to pulse faintly with an eerie light. Joaquin slowed, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But he couldn’t. Jasmine’s soul was safe, but they weren’t out of danger yet — and something told him the real threat lay behind this door.He reached out and pressed his hand against it.The metal was ice-cold under his palm.The moment he pushed, the symbols flared bright, and the door slid open with a groaning hiss.Joaquin stepped inside.The temperature dropped instantly. A co
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 134: Fighting for Survival
The entity surged forward again, a blur of twisting shadows and searing malice. Joaquin barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the creature’s claws raked through the space where he’d stood just moments before. The cold bit into his skin, the unnatural chill of its presence making his breath come in ragged gasps.He hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet just as the creature attacked again. Its speed was overwhelming, its movements erratic and unpredictable. Joaquin slashed out with Miguel’s blessed knife, the blade flaring with golden light, but the entity twisted away, avoiding the strike with terrifying ease.I can’t keep this up, Joaquin thought, his muscles already burning from exertion. He was fast — faster than most — but the creature was faster. Stronger. And it wasn’t tiring.The fight had already pushed him past his limits. His arms ached, his legs felt like lead, and his vision was beginning to blur. Blood
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 135: A Glimpse of Jasmine
Joaquin slowly gained his consciousness. He knelt on the cold stone floor, his body screaming with pain and exhaustion. His vision blurred, his breaths came in ragged gasps, and the weight of his injuries pressed down on him like lead.But the fight wasn’t over—not yet.The air around him shifted. The room began to tremble, the walls rippling like water. The floor beneath him shuddered, and the strange symbols carved into the stone pulsed with a sick, twisted energy. It felt as though the warehouse itself was starting to fall apart, reality fraying at the edges.Then he heard it.Soft. Frightened. A voice that cut through the haze of pain and fatigue like a knife.“Joaquin…”His head snapped up, heart lurching. He knew that voice. He would know it anywhere.“Jasmine?”He forced himself to his feet, every muscle in his body protesting. The room twisted around him, the walls stretching and contracting as if they were alive.
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 136: Breaking the Chains
Joaquin’s mind raced, the weight of the moment crushing down on him as the warehouse trembled around them.The air grew heavier, the walls vibrating with a low, dangerous hum, and the symbols carved into the stone flared brighter, pulsing like a heartbeat.A sick, twisted heartbeat.But none of that mattered. All he could think about was his sister’s safety.Jasmine’s soul knelt on the cold ground, her light dim and flickering, her strength nearly gone.And those chains — those dark, writhing chains — were killing her.He had to break them."Joaquin..." Her voice was so soft, so scared. I
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 137: The Rescue
The last chain shattered with a sound like breaking glass, and the entire room exploded with light.Joaquin barely had time to shield his eyes before a surge of energy blasted outward, sending cracks spidering through the walls and floor.The symbols carved into the stone flared one final time — and then went dark.When the light faded, Jasmine collapsed into his arms.He caught her easily, his body aching from the fight but his grip steady.She was weightless and warm, her glow dim but steady against his chest.The chains were gone, the terrible magic that had bound her finally broken. But the toll it had taken on her was obvious — her form fli
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 138: Escape and Aftermath
The warehouse collapsed with a roar that shook the ground beneath Joaquin’s feet. He ran without looking back — there was no time. The air behind him was thick with heat and dust, and the sound of steel and concrete folding in on itself rose like a dying beast’s final wail.Every muscle in his body screamed. His lungs burned. Blood trickled down his face, his side, his arms — he could feel it everywhere, but he didn’t stop. He wouldn’t stop.Not with Jasmine in his arms.Her soul flickered against his chest like a fading ember, warm and soft but barely holding on. She felt weightless, fragile, and her glow dimmed more with every second.“Hold on,” he whispered, his voice raw and broken. “Just hold on a little longer.”The light ahead grew brighter. The exit was so close — just a few more steps — but the ground cracked beneath him. The warehouse shuddered violently one last time, and Joaquin dove forward as the earth behind him collap
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 139: Recovery and Revelation
Pain was the first thing Joaquin felt. A deep, bone-deep ache spread through his entire body, like he’d been trampled by a freight train. Breathing hurt. Moving hurt. Even thinking felt sluggish and heavy, like his brain was wading through mud.He forced his eyes open. The room was dim and blurry, the edges of his vision swimming until they slowly sharpened. The faint smell of antiseptic and something floral drifted in the air.He was in the hospital. Again.“About damn time.”The familiar voice snapped his attention to the figure slouched in the chair beside his bed. Serena. Her arms were crossed, her eyes red-rimmed but fierce as they fixed on him.“Hey…” Joaquin’s voice cracked, his throat dry and raspy.Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you ‘hey’ me.”Before he could respond, she shot up from the chair and stood over him, her face a storm of fury and relief. “Do you have any idea what you put me through? Rick called me in the mid
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 140: The Next Move
Joaquin knew he should stay in that hospital bed. He could still feel the deep ache in his ribs, every breath a reminder that his body hadn’t quite forgiven him for what he’d put it through. But there was no time to rest—not when Jasmine’s life was still hanging by a thread.So when Serena finally drifted off in the chair beside his bed, her exhaustion overtaking her worry, Joaquin made his move.He swung his legs over the side of the bed slowly, biting back a grimace as the movement pulled at his injuries. His bare feet hit the cold floor, and for a moment, the room spun. But he gritted his teeth and pushed forward. He found his clothes folded on a chair—thankfully not hospital scrubs—and dressed with careful, deliberate movements. Every stretch of fabric across his battered body felt like fire.But he kept going.The hallway was quiet, the night shift keeping everything calm and slow. Joaquin kept his head down, walking with a steady pace t
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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... ——
