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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 39: Respect Earned
Hours later, Joaquin and Serena stepped out of the operating room, exhaustion pressing down on them like a heavy weight. Their scrubs were damp with sweat, and despite the success of the procedure, the adrenaline that had kept them going was finally wearing off.“You did it, Joaquin,” Serena said as they washed their hands. Her voice was laced with both pride and relief. “You should be proud of yourself.”Joaquin offered a small smile. “You too.”Serena smirked. “Oh, please. I barely did anything. You handled the entire surgery on your own. That was one of the riskiest procedures in this hospital’s history, and you pulled it off flawlessly.”Joaquin nodded, but he wasn’t seeking praise. What mattered most was that the surgery was successful. Now, there was only one thing left to do—face the Diaz family.As they walked toward the waiting area, the tension in the air was palpable. The Diaz family stood just outside the surgery doors, their expressions unreadable. Isabella Diaz, usually
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 40: He is missing
Mikyla and Carlo moved swiftly through the hospital corridors, their hurried footsteps echoing against the sterile white floors. The air was thick with urgency, their minds racing with a single question—where the hell was Andrew?They reached Mr. Alvarez’s office in record time, barely pausing before pushing the door open.Mr. Alvarez looked up from his paperwork, startled by their abrupt entrance. He raised a single brow, clearly unimpressed by the intrusion.“What is the meaning of this?” he asked coolly, setting down his pen.Carlo spoke first. “Sir, Andrew is missing.”Mr. Alvarez’s gaze flickered between them. “Missing?” His voice was calm, but his eyes darkened. “What do you mean? He’s in his room, isn’t he?” His attention shifted to Mikyla.Mikyla stepped forward, arms crossed over her chest. “I last saw him yesterday, but after that, he just vanished. I’ve been trying to call him, but his phone is off.”Antonio leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. “People d
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 41: No Enough time
Joaquin had just stepped out of the hospital when his phone buzzed in his coat pocket. He barely glanced at the screen before answering.“Mr. Smith, do you—”"Joaquin, we have a problem," Rick’s voice was tight with urgency, cutting straight to the point. "I need you at Mr. Suarez's house. Now. Our driver is on the way to pick you up."Joaquin straightened, sensing the tension in Rick’s voice. He wasn’t the type to panic.“What happened?”“Just get here. Now.”Joaquin didn’t waste another second.“I’m on my way.”The moment the call ended, a black sedan pulled up in front of him. Without hesitation, he slid into the backseat.—The drive to the Suarez estate was a blur of headlights and adrenaline.Joaquin barely registered the city streets flashing past as he clenched his fists, mind racing. The bloodletting should have bought Miguel more time, at least a week. It had only been a few days, and yet… his condition had worsened.Something wasn’t right.By the time they reached the tower
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 42: Secrets
“His name is Shinran Jack,” Rick began, his tone grave. “He trained with me when I first started working as Mr. Suarez’s bodyguard. He also knows the Dragon King personally. That’s why it’s strange that I can’t reach him now.”Joaquin leaned back, crossing his arms. “You think something happened to him?”Rick exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But Shinran Jack isn’t the type to disappear. Something’s not right.”Joaquin’s gaze flickered toward Miguel, whose breathing remained shallow despite the temporary stabilization. The bloodletting had helped, but it was a bandage over a wound that was still festering beneath the surface.“Are you sure he’s the right person for this?” Joaquin asked.Rick gave him a firm nod. “Shinran Jack is a master of acupuncture. He’s healed people from illnesses deemed impossible to cure. If anyone can help Miguel, it’s him.”Joaquin didn’t hesitate. “Then we leave tomorrow. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”Rick let out a deep sigh. “I won’t be going with yo
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 43: Who did this?
Joaquin arrived at the Suarez estate just as dawn painted the sky in hues of deep orange and gray.But something felt off.As he made his way toward the grand entrance, his sharp eyes immediately caught sight of a familiar figure standing near the marble steps—Mr. Alvarez.The old man was speaking in a low, insistent tone to Rick, his presence unwelcome yet demanding attention.Even from a distance, Joaquin could see the sharp glint in Antonio’s eyes, the way his jaw was set in stubborn determination.Joaquin’s steps slowed slightly as he took in the scene.Rick’s expression was tight as he responded, his arms crossed over his chest in a clear show of defiance.The conversation wasn’t going well.Joaquin walked toward them, his footsteps echoing against the polished stone pathway.Rick noticed him first and immediately gestured him over.“Joaquin,” Rick called, his tone clipped. “You’re just in time.”Antonio turned, his sharp gaze landing on Joaquin with something between curiosity a
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 44: Journey to the Snow Mountain
Jasmine stood before the massive wrought-iron gates, her heart pounding in her chest. Thirty-five years. Thirty-five long years since she had last set foot here since she had walked away and vowed never to return. And yet, here she was.The mansion beyond the gate loomed in the dim morning light, its towering silhouette just as imposing as she remembered. Time had not softened its grandeur—if anything, it had grown more formidable, standing like an unshaken titan against the passing years. The air was thick with the scent of old earth and blooming jasmine, and for a brief moment, the familiarity of it all nearly made her turn back.But she couldn’t.Not when Joaquin was in danger.Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy gates, the iron groaning under the weight of time and neglect. The gravel crunched beneath her boots as she made her way up the long, winding path toward the main house. Her hands trembled slightly, but she clenched them into fists, willing herself to stay
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 45: The Monk
The grand temple loomed before them, its towering pillars etched with ancient symbols that whispered secrets of a time long past. Snow clung to its tiled roof, glistening under the dim glow of lanterns hanging along the stone pathway. The monks who had saved them now led Joaquin and Cedrick toward the entrance, their footsteps nearly silent despite the thick layer of frost.Joaquin exhaled, watching his breath swirl in the cold air. The journey had been brutal, his body aching from the battle on the mountain. But he had no time to rest—not when the Dragon King’s life hung in the balance.Cedrick glanced around, his fingers twitching near his weapons, still wary despite their escort. “Damn, this place looks straight out of a legend.”Joaquin remained silent. It wasn’t just the temple that felt ancient. It was the energy here—thick with history and power. He could feel it in his bones.The heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing a vast hall bathed in golden candlelight. Incense curle
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 46: Acupuncture
Joaquin sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of the temple chamber, his muscles aching from the earlier fight, his breath still uneven. Across from him, Shinran Jack remained motionless, his expression unreadable. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, the scent of burning incense thick in the air.“Tell me,” Shinran finally said, his voice calm but firm. “What exactly is the Dragon King’s condition?”Joaquin clenched his jaw, gathering his thoughts.“He’s dying,” he said, his voice rough with exhaustion. “The snake venom poisons him. It runs through his veins, and no one—not even the best healers—knows how to counter it. I’ve managed to buy him some time with bloodletting, but just yesterday, the symptoms worsened again. It’s accelerating.”Shinran remained silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his knee. His deep, thoughtful gaze settled on Joaquin.“Describe the symptoms.”Joaquin exhaled sharply.“At first, it seemed like a normal poisoning—f
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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
