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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 71: A Fairy
Joaquin woke to the sound of soft knocking.He forced himself upright, blinking away the lingering fatigue. The dim light filtering through the wooden window told him it was still midnight.The knocking came again, gentle but insistent.He sighed, running a hand through his hair before getting up and opening the door.Maria stood outside, dressed in a simple white blouse and a long skirt that reached her ankles. Her dark hair was loosely tied over her shoulder, and in the faint morning glow, her hazel eyes looked almost golden.“Come with me.” Her voice was quiet, but firm.Joaquin frowned. “Where?”“You’ll see.”Joaquin hesitated. He still felt drained, his head slightly pounding from the overwhelming sensations that had bombarded him ever since his Third Eye had been opened. But something about the way Maria was looking at him told him this was important.With a tired exhale, he nodded. “Alright. Lead the way.”They walked in silence.The forest stretched around them, dense and aliv
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 72: I will go
Joaquin still couldn't believe what was happening.He had spent days adjusting to seeing ghosts and spirits—now, he was walking beside an actual Diwata.Menea moved gracefully, her feet barely making a sound against the forest floor. Despite her urgency, there was something about her presence that felt... unearthly, as if she didn’t fully belong to this world. Joaquin kept stealing glances at her, his mind still struggling to process that Maria was half-Diwata, that an entire enchanted kingdom existed beyond what he knew.But more than that, he kept thinking about the look in Menea’s eyes when she said, Our world is in danger.Maria walked ahead of them, her posture tense. Joaquin could tell she was both anxious and overwhelmed. He didn’t blame her. Seeing her mother after all these years, only to be told of some impending disaster? That was a lot.And yet, Maria hadn’t hesitated to take action.That was one thing he admired about her.They soon reached Master Iroh’s home.Joaquin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 73: The Blessing
Joaquin didn’t hesitate. “I’ll help you.”His words hung in the air, unwavering and absolute.Menea studied him, her otherworldly eyes filled with both hope and doubt. The breeze stirred her long, silken hair, making her look even more ethereal against the moonlit forest. “Are you sure?” she asked softly. “Our world is… not like this one. The dangers there are ancient and powerful. If you enter unprepared, you may not return.”Joaquin swallowed hard, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I know the risks. But if I can do something—anything—to stop this darkness, then I have to try.”Master Iroh shifted, his face lined with worry. “Boy, your training isn’t finished. You can barely control the sight you’ve been given. The Black Veil… it’s beyond what you’re ready for.”Joaquin turned to his mentor. “Then finish my training. Or show me what I need to know. But don’t tell me to walk away.” His voice hardened. “You taught me that strength isn’t just about power—it’s about standing up when other
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
Latest Chapter
Chapter 73: The Blessing
Joaquin didn’t hesitate. “I’ll help you.”His words hung in the air, unwavering and absolute.Menea studied him, her otherworldly eyes filled with both hope and doubt. The breeze stirred her long, silken hair, making her look even more ethereal against the moonlit forest. “Are you sure?” she asked softly. “Our world is… not like this one. The dangers there are ancient and powerful. If you enter unprepared, you may not return.”Joaquin swallowed hard, but his resolve didn’t waver. “I know the risks. But if I can do something—anything—to stop this darkness, then I have to try.”Master Iroh shifted, his face lined with worry. “Boy, your training isn’t finished. You can barely control the sight you’ve been given. The Black Veil… it’s beyond what you’re ready for.”Joaquin turned to his mentor. “Then finish my training. Or show me what I need to know. But don’t tell me to walk away.” His voice hardened. “You taught me that strength isn’t just about power—it’s about standing up when other
Chapter 72: I will go
Joaquin still couldn't believe what was happening.He had spent days adjusting to seeing ghosts and spirits—now, he was walking beside an actual Diwata.Menea moved gracefully, her feet barely making a sound against the forest floor. Despite her urgency, there was something about her presence that felt... unearthly, as if she didn’t fully belong to this world. Joaquin kept stealing glances at her, his mind still struggling to process that Maria was half-Diwata, that an entire enchanted kingdom existed beyond what he knew.But more than that, he kept thinking about the look in Menea’s eyes when she said, Our world is in danger.Maria walked ahead of them, her posture tense. Joaquin could tell she was both anxious and overwhelmed. He didn’t blame her. Seeing her mother after all these years, only to be told of some impending disaster? That was a lot.And yet, Maria hadn’t hesitated to take action.That was one thing he admired about her.They soon reached Master Iroh’s home.Joaquin
Chapter 71: A Fairy
Joaquin woke to the sound of soft knocking.He forced himself upright, blinking away the lingering fatigue. The dim light filtering through the wooden window told him it was still midnight.The knocking came again, gentle but insistent.He sighed, running a hand through his hair before getting up and opening the door.Maria stood outside, dressed in a simple white blouse and a long skirt that reached her ankles. Her dark hair was loosely tied over her shoulder, and in the faint morning glow, her hazel eyes looked almost golden.“Come with me.” Her voice was quiet, but firm.Joaquin frowned. “Where?”“You’ll see.”Joaquin hesitated. He still felt drained, his head slightly pounding from the overwhelming sensations that had bombarded him ever since his Third Eye had been opened. But something about the way Maria was looking at him told him this was important.With a tired exhale, he nodded. “Alright. Lead the way.”They walked in silence.The forest stretched around them, dense and aliv
Chapter 70: A Call
Joaquin was exhausted.The weight of his training, the constant presence of spirits, and the strain on his mind were starting to take a toll on him. Even when he closed his eyes, he could still see them—some lingering in the corners of the temple, others wandering outside, whispering to themselves.At first, he had flinched at every shadow, every flicker of movement beyond the normal world. But after days of enduring it, he was learning how to ignore them.He exhaled slowly, letting the crisp morning air fill his lungs as he sat cross-legged outside, attempting to meditate. Focus your mind. That’s the key. That was what Master Iroh had told him. If he wanted control, he had to learn how to discipline his thoughts.But just as he was starting to clear his mind—His phone rang.Joaquin’s eyes flicked open, and he instinctively grabbed his phone. Serena.Without hesitation, he answered. “Hey.”“Joaquin.” Serena’s voice was soft, and hesitant, but there was an underlying urgency. “How
Chapter 69: A Test
Joaquin woke up to the scent of burning incense and the soft murmur of morning wind slipping through the open windows. His body ached, and his limbs felt heavy, but he wasn’t the same as yesterday.He could still see them.Even now, as he sat up in bed, faint figures drifted in the corners of the room—shadows that didn’t belong, whispers that faded the moment he tried to focus on them.It was overwhelming, yet… oddly quieter than last night.Joaquin exhaled, rubbing his temples. His forehead still tingled, that same burning awareness from before lingering behind his eyes. He didn’t know if he was supposed to feel different, but something inside him had shifted.A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.Maria peeked in, holding a wooden tray with breakfast. “You’re awake.”Joaquin stretched, wincing as his muscles protested. “Barely.”Maria smiled as she set the tray on the small table. “You look better than you did last night. I thought you were going to pass out for days
Chapter 68: Seeing the Unseen
Joaquin’s breath came in short, ragged bursts.The world around him had changed.At first, he thought it was just his imagination—maybe a trick of the dim candlelight or the exhaustion messing with his head. But the longer he stared, the more undeniable it became.They were everywhere.Faint silhouettes drifted in and out of sight—wisps of figures lingering in the corners of the room, shifting just beyond the flickering candlelight. Some had hollow eyes and dark pits where human expressions should be. Others looked almost normal, their faces frozen in silent despair.The worst part?They were looking at him.Joaquin squeezed his eyes shut and took a shaky breath. This isn’t real. This isn’t real. But when he opened them again, they were still there—watching, waiting.His pulse thundered in his ears. His body felt heavier as if something unseen was pressing down on his shoulders.“What the hell…” he whispered.Master Iroh sat cross-legged in front of him, completely unfazed, his wrinkl
Chapter 67: First Day of Training
The house was quiet.Joaquin sat on the edge of the small wooden bed, the old mattress sinking slightly under his weight. The scent of burning incense still lingered in the air, mixing with the fresh mountain breeze that slipped through the open window. Outside, the distant sound of rustling leaves and chirping crickets filled the silence.Miguel and Rick had already left. Joaquin at Master Iroh’s house for his training. Now, it was just him, Master Iroh, and Maria.With a sigh, Joaquin pulled out his phone. The screen lit up with notifications, but he ignored them all except for one.Jasmine.He pressed the call button and put the phone to his ear.“Joaquin?” Jasmine’s voice came through almost immediately, warm and a little breathless.“Jasmine. I wanted to call you earlier, but things have been... complicated.”Jasmine hummed knowingly. “You’re still not coming home?”Joaquin ran a hand through his hair. “No. Not yet. I need to stay here for a few more days. There’s something I n
Chapter 66: Another Warning
Joaquin lay on the small bed, arms folded behind his head, staring at the ceiling. His body still ached from the battle, but his mind was restless.The room was simple—bare walls, a wooden chair, and a small desk. Nothing luxurious, just functional. But right now, it was the quiet that mattered.The cheers of the crowd, the adrenaline of the fight—it was all fading, leaving behind exhaustion and a lingering sense of unease.He had won.Joaquin frowned.The knock was firm, deliberate. Not hesitant like a servant, nor impatient like Rick.Slowly, he sat up. "Come in."The door creaked open.
Chapter 65: The White Tiger Ranking
At first, Joaquin managed to fight the man back. He easily managed to take him down.Joaquin smirked.The man stood up. His expression was too calm.“Is that all you got?” the man asked, smirking.“I can do more,” Joaquin challenged.The man chuckled. Then his face turned serious.Then the man moved unexpectedly, Joaquin was surprised by the sudden blow.His body hit the ground with a sickening thud.Pain exploded through his ribs. His vision blurred. The roar of the crowd faded into a distant hum as if he were sinking beneat
