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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
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 20: The Ashgwanda Roots
The cool night air hit Joaquin as he stepped out of the hospital, releasing a heavy sigh. The day had been grueling, and Andrea’s constant teasing hadn’t helped. If he snapped at her, he risked his job, so he had to endure it.He rubbed his temples, ready to head home, when the sound of screeching tires made him look up. A black Mercedes sped toward him, and he quickly stepped aside. The car stopped inches from him, and the window rolled down to reveal Rick’s serious face.“Get in,” Rick said, his tone leaving no room for argument.Joaquin hesitated. “Is something wrong? Did something happen to Miguel?”Rick shook his head. \“Just get in.”Joaquin slid into the passenger seat, his nerves on edge. The car sped off, the tension thick in the confined space. After a few minutes of silence, Rick finally spoke.“Miguel sent me to give you this.”Rick reached into the back seat and pulled out a wooden box, tossing it onto Joaquin’s lap. Joaquin’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “What i
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 21: The Awakening
“Descendant, wake up.”Joaquin’s eyes snapped open, finding himself back in the strange void. The voice was familiar, resonating with an authority that sent shivers down his spine.“You are ready, and I feel the fire in your heart already,” the voice continued.Joaquin tried to respond, but like the first time he was here, his voice didn’t work. He was forced to listen in silence.“Master the Blazing Sun Technique. Awaken your strength, and it will forge your path to power,” the voice commanded, fading as Joaquin’s surroundings dissolved into darkness.A vision materialized before him—a man, his ancestor, moved with fluid precision, demonstrating the steps of the Blazing Sun Technique. The sheer intensity of the movements radiated power, leaving Joaquin in awe.The dream ended abruptly.Joaquin woke up in his bed, drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy.“The Blazing Sun Technique...” he murmured, sitting up and crossing his legs. The dream wasn’t just a vision—it was a message fro
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 22: Confusion
“You will regret this, Joaquin! Why are you being so stubborn? Is this because of Serena? Did you two already do it?”Joaquin's mouth fell open in shock.“What?”Mikyla smirked, crossing her arms.“Well, you’re acting all high and mighty now, even though you're just a caregiver. Someone must be backing you up.”Joaquin let out a dry laugh.“Don’t point fingers at me, Mikyla. You know what? I’m just realizing now how pathetic it was that I ever fell for you. I wasted years trying to please someone like you.”Mikyla’s expression darkened. She suddenly felt self-conscious as she noticed passersby glancing in their direction.“And what’s that supposed to mean, huh? I was the one who wasted time on you! I should’ve been with someone better!”Joaquin smirked. “Then why are you still getting in my way? Can’t you just move on?”Mikyla clenched her jaw, unable to come up with a quick retort. Joaquin took that as his cue to walk away.“You’ll regret this, Joaquin!” Mikyla fumed internally, watc
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 23: Confrontation
Joaquin sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the floor as he waited for Serena to speak.He could feel the weight of her stare, sharp and unyielding, as if he had committed some grave mistake.After a long moment, Serena cleared her throat.“Do you like her?”Joaquin’s head snapped up, caught completely off guard.“What?”Serena leaned back, crossing her arms.“I asked if you like her.”Joaquin shook his head vigorously. “No, Ms. Del Mar! I—I’m just doing my job.”Serena rolled her e
Latest Chapter
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.
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
