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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 1: The Betrayal
Joaquin pushed open the door to his apartment as the exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. His day at Villareal Medical Hospital had been grueling, and all he wanted was a quiet evening with Mikyla. But before he could call out her name, faint voices filtered through the hallway—coming from the bedroom.He froze. The voices were muffled but unmistakable. A man and a woman, their tone teasing, urgent, and far too familiar. His chest tightened as realization dawned. Heart pounding, he moved closer, the words becoming clearer.“So, you think he’ll figure it out?” the man chuckled.“Joaquin?” Mikyla’s voice replied with a scoff. “He’s clueless. The guy’s too naive to suspect anything.”A cold chill swept through Joaquin’s body.‘What?!’“And the position?” the man asked.“There’s only one permanent slot,” Mikyla said smoothly. “Serena might back him, but your dad has the final say, right? That fool doesn’t stand a chance.”‘How can she do this to me?!’The man was Andrew Alvarez,
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 2: Awakening
Darkness enveloped Joaquin, but the silence was broken by a resonant, ancient voice echoing in his mind.“Descendant,” it said, calm yet commanding. “I am the ancestor of your family, and I have chosen you to inherit my legacy. The abilities I have mastered—medical expertise, martial arts, and more—are now yours. But heed my warning: use these gifts to uphold justice. Stray from the righteous path, and calamity will befall you.”Joaquin tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. He could only listen as the voice continued.“The gold ring you carry is my vessel. It holds the essence of my power. From now on, it is bound to your soul.”Suddenly, the ring appeared in his vision, glowing with an intense golden light. It transformed into the shape of a phoenix, its wings spreading wide before soaring toward him. Joaquin gasped as it pierced his chest, a burst of warmth flooding his body.The voice faded, leaving only silence.When Joaquin opened his eyes, he was on the cold bathroom fl
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 3: Breaking Point
As Joaquin stepped out of Serena’s office, the weight of his humiliation pressed on his chest. He clenched his fists, his mind replaying the scene. Andrew’s smug face, Mikyla’s betrayal, and Serena’s icy judgment all swirled in his thoughts. They had stripped him of everything—his position, his dignity, and even his hope.His steps quickened as he made his way to the elevator, needing space to think. But as the elevator doors opened, fate had other plans.Standing inside were Andrew and Mikyla, their conversation halting as they caught sight of him.“Oh, look who it is,” Andrew sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “The hospital’s newest orderly. How does it feel, Joaquin, to be demoted to cleaning up after us?”Mikyla smirked, her arms folded, her disdain was evident. “Maybe it suits him. He’s always been good at groveling.”Joaquin said nothing, stepping into the elevator and standing rigidly in the corner.“Quiet today, aren’t we?” Andrew leaned closer, his voice low but sha
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 4: A Chain of Consequences
“Someone call a doctor!” a nurse finally shouted, snapping everyone into action.Joaquin stood at the edge of the chaos, his face impassive but his heart thrumming with satisfaction. He couldn’t explain what had just happened, but deep down, he felt the power within him stirring.The chandelier had fallen perfectly, striking Andrew just as planned. It wasn’t a fatal blow—he had made sure of that.But it was enough to knock the arrogance out of him, if only for a moment.Andrew clutched his bleeding head, his cries of pain reverberating through the lobby. Mikyla knelt beside him, her hands fluttering uselessly as she tried to stem the blood with a piece of fabric torn from her coat.“This... this is your doing!” Andrew spat, glaring up at Joaquin, his voice trembling with both rage and pain.Joaquin tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “Me? I didn’t touch you. Maybe it’s divine retribution. Isn’t that what I warned you about?”“You liar!” Andrew shouted, his words falterin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 5: A Silent Vow
When Joaquin returned home, the familiar scent of a home-cooked meal greeted him. His elder sister stood by the stove, humming softly as she ladled soup into bowls. For a moment, Joaquin felt a pang of guilt. She worked so hard to keep everything together, yet here he was, weighed down by betrayals and battles he hadn’t even begun to share.“You’re just in time,” she said, her voice warm. “Dinner’s ready!”At the dinner table, Joaquin forced himself to act normal. He focused on eating, avoiding eye contact with his sister.“Is something bothering you?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.Joaquin hesitated. “No, just tired from work.”She seemed unconvinced but didn’t press further. Instead, she brought up a topic that made Joaquin’s chest tighten.“How’s Mikyla? She hadn’t come to our place for a while.”Joaquin’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “She’s been busy with work.”His sister’s expression softened. “That’s understandable. I
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 6: A Scar That Won’t Heal
Joaquin’s breath caught in his chest as the woman leaned forward, her robe shifting just enough to make him glance away. Her confidence radiated like a challenge, and for a fleeting second, he felt the urge to match her energy. But no—he reminded himself—this was his job.“I’m here to check the wound,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. “Nothing else.”Her eyes narrowed, skepticism clear in her gaze. “Sure you are,” she said, leaning back with a smirk. “Go on then, but keep your hands professional, Joaquin.”Ignoring her sarcasm, he approached the bed, kneeling to inspect the injury on her leg. The stitches were tight, the wound deep. Even though it was healing, it was clear the damage had been severe.“What happened?” he asked, keeping his tone neutral.“Car accident,” she replied flatly. “Driver wasn’t paying attention. Surgery’s scheduled to minimize the scarring, but...” Her voice trailed off, her expression unreadable.Joaquin hesitated, unsure how to re
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 7: The Unbelievable Truth
The room buzzed with tension as Joaquin stood at the foot of the hospital bed, Joaquin was preparing his tools for the treatment. The air was thick with skepticism, and Carlo made no effort to hide his disdain.“This is ridiculous!” Carlo sneered, crossing his arms. “You’re feeding her false hope! There’s no way your little water-and-herbs trick will work!”Andrea leaned back against the pillows, her eyes fixed on Joaquin. “I’ve already told you, Doctor,” she said with a cool smile, “I’ll decide what’s worth trying. If Joaquin says he can help, I’ll let him.”An intern beside Carlo snorted. “A caregiver acting like a doctor? What a joke!”Joaquin glanced at them briefly, unfazed. “You’re welcome to stay and watch. Maybe you’ll learn something.”The boldness of his retort made the interns gape, and even Carlo’s eyebrows twitched in irritation.“Fine,” Carlo said, his tone laced with mockery. “Let’s see this miracle of yours.”Joaquin took a deep breath, steadying himself. He dipp
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 8: A Miraculous Turn
“What?”“You heard me,” she said. “Get out! I don’t need a doctor who can’t see past his own arrogance!”Carlo clenched his fists but ultimately stormed out, slamming the door behind him.The interns hesitated, glancing nervously between Joaquin and Andrea before hurrying after their superior.Outside the room, the interns huddled around Carlo, their voices low and filled with doubt.“Do you think he’s legit?” one of them asked.“Impossible!” another replied. “No one heals that quickly.”“He’s a fraud!”Carlo, still fuming, clenched his fists. “He’s hiding something,” he said. “I’ll find out what it is.” With that, he headed toward the caregiver station, determined to dig into Joaquin’s past.Back in the room, Andrea’s demeanor shifted. Her stern expression softened as she turned her attention to Joaquin.“That was… impressive,” she said, her voice teasing. “What do I owe you for such a miracle? My gratitude? Or something more… personal?”Joaquin blinked, caught off guard by the sud
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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,
