2025-02-01 10:00:02Joaquin 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
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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 24: Kidnapped
“I have your sister, Jasmine. If you want to see her alive, you’ll do exactly what I say.”Joaquin felt like the world froze around him.“Hello? Who is this? Hello—damn it!”Frustrated, Joaquin stared at his phone, but the call had already ended.Andrea and Serena exchanged concerned glances as they watched him.“Joaquin? Are you okay?” Andrea asked softly.“What happened? Who called you?” Serena added, her voice laced with worry.Joaquin took a shaky breath, his face a mask of worry. His sister had been taken, and he couldn’t think of anyone who would do this to them.Then, suddenly, a thought struck him.Without a word, Joaquin rushed out of the room.“Joaquin!” Andrea and Serena called after him.They both tried to follow him, but only Serena managed to keep up. Andrea cannot get out because of the dextrose hose that was in her arm. Frustrated, Andrea clenched her teeth and retreated back into the room to grab her phone.“Hello? Find out what’s going on with Joaquin right now!” A
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 25: He took her
“Joaquin, please! We should go to the police instead!” Serena pleaded, still trying to calm him down.But Joaquin was certain of his suspicion. No one else would do this—it had to be Andrew.Determined, he stormed toward Andrew’s room. Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and rushed inside.Mikyla, who was casually flipping through a magazine, jumped to her feet at the sudden intrusion. She glared at him.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Why are you here?” she demanded, her voice laced with irritation.Joaquin ignored her. His eyes darted to the bed—empty. Without missing a beat, he strode toward the bathroom and flung the door open.Nothing.Frustration boiled inside him. He turned back to Mikyla.“What do you want, Joaquin?! I’m calling security!” Mikyla snapped.Joaquin didn’t acknowledge her threat. Instead, he asked coldly, “Where is he?”Serena reached for his arm. “Joaquin, calm down first.”Mikyla raised an eyebrow. “Who are you even looking for? Are you blind
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 26: He took her 2
“He took my sister!” Joaquin said, his voice heavy with frustration.“We should call for help. This isn’t good!” Serena suggested.Joaquin turned sharply to her. “No.”Serena frowned, shocked. “What? Your sister is missing! We need to call the police!”Joaquin clenched his fists, his anger bubbling to the surface. “No one can help my sister but me, Ms. Del Mar. I appreciate your concern, but I’ll handle this.”Serena’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you planning to do?”“I’m going to find her myself,” Joaquin said with unwavering determination. “Please, just let Ms. Johnson know about the situation. She might start worrying if I’m not back soon.”Joaquin walked toward the waiting shed, his mind set on one thing—revenge. He promised himself that anyone who had hurt his sister would pay.Serena was left frustrated. She couldn’t believe that, despite everything, Joaquin still thought about Andrea in the midst of this crisis. She grunted in frustration and made a decision.“Wait, Joaqui
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 27: He will come
Inside the dimly lit abandoned building owned by the Drey Group, Andrew paced back and forth, his fingers twitching with impatience. The place reeked of dust and rust, the air thick with the weight of old secrets and forgotten history. He turned to Nico Drey, who sat calmly on a worn-out chair, legs crossed, watching him with mild amusement.“He’ll come,” Andrew muttered, more to himself than to Nico. “Joaquin won’t ignore this. Not when his sister’s life is on the line.”Nico arched a brow, unconcerned. “And what if he calls the police instead?”Andrew scoffed. “Joaquin? Call the cops? That’s not his style. He’ll come straight here, ready to play the hero.”Nico smirked, tapping his fingers against the armrest. “You sound confident.”Andrew clenched his jaw, his voice laced with something darker—resentment, maybe even hatred. “Because I know him. Joaquin always plays by the rules. He thinks if he fights hard enough, he’ll win. But this time, he’s walking straight into my hands.”Nico
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 28: Desires
Nico walked with slow, measured steps toward the small, dimly lit room at the end of the hallway. His fingers trailed along the peeling paint of the walls, his mind lost in thought. He had agreed to help Andrew, but now that he was here, standing before the heavy metal door that separated him from the girl inside, he realized there was something about this situation that intrigued him more than he expected.With a quiet creak, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.The room was barely furnished—a single bed with a thin mattress, a chair in the corner, and a small window covered in grime. Lying on the bed was Jasmine, still unconscious, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The faint glow from the flickering lightbulb overhead cast shadows across her delicate features.Nico's gaze lingered on her. Even in this state, something was striking about her. He had seen countless women—beautiful, sophisticated, dangerous—but there was something different about Jasmine. Perh
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 29: You will regret this!
Jasmine's screams echoed in the dimly lit room, but they only made Nico and his men laugh. Their cruel chuckles sent shivers down her spine, but she refused to let fear consume her. She struggled against the ropes digging into her wrists, her breath ragged, her heart slamming against her ribs."Let me go!" she yelled, twisting in her restraints, but her plea was met with nothing but amusement.One of Nico's men leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, shaking his head. "She’s got fire, boss. You sure you don’t want to break her spirit a little before handing her off to Joaquin?"Nico smirked, rolling his shoulders as he approached her. His dark eyes gleamed with something vile, something that made her stomach twist in pure disgust."You think you still have a say in anything, sweetheart?" he murmured, crouching before her. He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin longer than necessary.Jasmine recoiled, her teeth gritted
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 30: Power Unleashed
Joaquin’s grip tightened around his phone as he sent a quick text to Rick. The message delivered. A small relief. At least someone knew where he was.Beside him, Serena stared at the looming structure ahead, her face tight with worry. The building stood in eerie silence, its shattered windows like gaping mouths, its rusting metal beams exposed like broken bones. The Drey Group owned this place, but now it was nothing more than a playground for criminals like Andrew and Nico.“This is a bad idea,” Serena muttered as she parked the car, gripping the steering wheel. “I should come with you.”“No,” Joaquin said firmly, turning to face her.Serena’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Joaquin, come on—”“If I don’t come out in an hour, call the police,” he interrupted. His tone left no room for argument.Serena clenched her fists, frustration flickering in her eyes. “You don’t even have a weapon.”Joaquin smirked slightly. “I don’t need one.”Before she could protest further, he pushed open
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 31: What are you?
Nico’s breath hitched as he stared at Joaquin, eyes wide with disbelief. The strength Joaquin had displayed—it was unnatural, almost inhuman. His movements were too fast, his strikes too powerful.No… it can’t be.“What… what are you?” Nico rasped, his body trembling. He had heard of warriors who reached the legendary Tiger Rank—those whose strength surpassed ordinary men. But Joaquin?Impossible. He’s just a caregiver!Joaquin smirked, stepping forward. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous.“I’m your end, Nico. Now, bring me my sister.”Nico’s lips curled into a grin, but it was forced, his mind racing for an escape. I can’t fight him head-on. He’s too strong.Without another word, he bolted toward the door at the end of the dim hallway, slamming it open. Inside the cramped, filthy room, Jasmine sat bound to a chair, her head snapping up at the sudden intrusion.Her wide, terrified eyes landed on him, then darted past him, searching for her brother.“Ahh! Let me go!” she cried,
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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.
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
