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The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 60: The Eastern Peaks
Joaquin arrived at the Suarez mansion late in the afternoon, his bag slung over his shoulder.The butler let him in without a word, already expecting him.Inside, Rick was waiting in the lounge, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his expression unreadable."You’re finally back," Rick greeted him, eyeing him carefully. "What happened to you? I’ve been trying to call, but you weren’t answering."Joaquin tossed his bag onto the couch and sat across from him."A lot happened," he replied, his voice edged with exhaustion. "I got shot."Rick frowned. "Are you okay now?""Obviously." Joaquin waved him off. "What about Mr. Suarez?"Before Rick could answer, another man entered the lounge—Miguel Suarez.The last time Joaquin had seen him, he had looked frail, as if his body were struggling to keep up with life. But now? He looked stronger. Healthier. Almost like he had turned back time.Miguel smirked. "I’m good now. So good, I could fight again."Joaquin allowed himself a small smile. "That’s go
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 61: Recognition
The road leading to the Eastern Peaks was long and brutal.Dust clung to the SUV’s tires as they wound through desolate paths carved into the mountainside. The deeper they went, the rougher the terrain became, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and distant smoke from unseen fires.Joaquin sat in the front passenger seat, his body fully healed thanks to the abilities he had inherited. He just needed rest, and he was back to his usual self. Stronger. Sharper. Ready.His fingers tapped against his thigh, his mind calculating. This place reeked of danger. Even inside the car, he could feel the unspoken threats lurking in the shadows.Rick drove with one hand on the wheel, his other resting lazily on his lap, but his sharp eyes flicked to the rearview mirror every few minutes. On high alert.Miguel, sitting in the back, looked too calm.That unsettled Joaquin.The old man knew exactly what kind of place this was, yet there was no tension in his posture. No flicker of unease.Why wo
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 62: The Master
Joaquin had seen a lot in his life.But nothing—nothing—prepared him for what he had just witnessed.One moment, Master Iroh stood a few feet away, watching them with those ancient, knowing eyes. The next, he was standing right in front of him.Joaquin barely had time to process it.No sound. No shift in the air. No warning.It wasn’t teleportation—he knew what that looked like. This was something else. A movement so fast, so precise, that his brain simply couldn’t register it.His breath hitched. His muscles tensed.What the hell—?Master Iroh merely smiled, his wrinkled face crinkling like old parchment. "You’re new, boy. But I can already sense the power inside you."Joaquin’s jaw tightened. "You—"Miguel chuckled, stepping forward like this was the most natural thing in the world. "Still showing off, old man?"Iroh turned to him, eyes glinting with mischief. "It keeps me young."Miguel smirked. "That, and the tea, I’m guessing."Iroh huffed a quiet laugh and gestured toward a narr
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 63: The Tiger Ranking System
“Are you really sure about this, Young man?” Master Iroh asked again.Joaquin looked at him full of determination. “Yes.”Master Iroh smirked. “If you enter this mansion, there is no turning back anymore.”Joaquin exhaled sharply. He stared at the enormous gate in front of them. He clenched his fist.The Sandoval estate loomed ahead, a fortress of wealth and power built upon generations of control. But Joaquin wasn’t intimidated.He had seen opulence before and walked through halls dripping with luxury. But here, beneath the grandeur, was something rotten.He had seen opulence before and walked through halls drippin
The Doctor's Reckoning Chapter 64: The Second Skill
Joaquin was dreaming.Or at least, he thought he was.The world around him was hazy, shifting like smoke caught in the wind. He stood in the center of a massive arena—larger than anything he had ever seen—surrounded by roaring spectators whose faces blurred together in a sea of movement.At the heart of the battlefield stood a lone warrior.Joaquin knew him.Not personally, but through blood. Through history.His ancestor.The man stood tall, muscles corded like steel beneath a dark tunic. His stance was effortless yet unshakable, his eyes focused, determine
The Doctor's Reckoning 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
The Doctor's Reckoning 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.
The Doctor's Reckoning 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
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Chapter 230: Saved
“Wait for me, Serena.”Joaquin gripped the vial tightly—the essence of the Noctis Bloom.He didn’t waste another second. With urgency in every step, he sprinted out of the Forbidden Grove and drove straight to the hospital.The moment he arrived, he headed directly to Serena’s room.“Joaquin?! Where the hell have you been?!” Emilio barked the moment Joaquin entered. “You said you’d save my daughter!”Joaquin took a deep breath, his chest still heaving from the long journey.His eyes immediately searched for Serena—still unconscious, still pale on the hospital bed.James was seated on the couch nearby, arms crossed and eyes cold. Andrew and Mikyla stood close to Serena, worry painted on their faces.“I’m sorry, Sir,” Joaquin said. “I had to retrieve a medicine for her—something that can help her now.”Emilio narrowed his eyes, glancing at the small glowing vial in Joaquin’s hand. “What is that?”Before Joaquin could answer, James shot to his feet, his voice sharp with accusation.“What
Chapter 229: The Forbidden Groove
Joaquin stood at the edge of the massive forest, eyes fixed on the looming trees ahead.Just the sight of it sent an eerie sensation crawling down his spine—it had a presence. Heavy. Unnatural.Mist slithered across the forest floor like snakes in search of prey.The trees were impossibly tall, their bark a deep, lifeless gray. Their leaves didn’t even flutter despite the breeze.The stories were true—this place felt alive.He tightened his grip on his bag and stepped forward without hesitation.Inside, darkness swallowed him whole.Even though it was midday when he arrived at the Forbidden Grove, it felt as if the moment he entered, daylight was stripped away, replaced by a suffocating night.He pulled out his flashlight, its beam the only comfort in the growing blackness.No one had entered this forest in centuries.Not even the villagers who once worshipped the land dared to approach it anymore.Legends said the Grove was cursed—guarded by illusions, by spirits of the old blood, by
Chapter 228: A Call for help
Joaquin’s shoulders sagged heavily as he walked into the house.Every step felt heavier than the last.He didn’t want to leave Serena’s side—not when her life was still hanging by a thread.But he knew he had no choice.He needed rest if he was going to save her.He needed strength.And most of all, he needed answers.Because he knew deep in his bones that the cure for Serena’s condition wouldn’t be found in any hospital.Not in any book.Not in any medicine known to man.This—whatever had poisoned Serena—was something far more ancient.As soon as he entered his room, he didn’t waste a second.He locked the door and bolted the windows, making sure no one could disturb him.The familiar smell of home barely registered in his nose.All he could think about was her.Her pale face.Her weakening heartbeat.Her soft voice called his name before she slipped into unconsciousness.He pushed the memory away and dropped to the floor, sitting cross-legged right in the center of the room.The air
Chapter 227: The Surgery
The doors slammed shut behind Joaquin.For a moment, the world outside disappeared—and it was just him, Serena, and the fight that was about to begin.He quickly scrubbed in, his hands trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the overwhelming weight of what was at stake.You can do this, he told himself, breathing deeply, steadying his hands.He approached Serena's operating table.She looked so fragile, lying there under the harsh surgical lights, her face pale and still, her breathing shallow and strained."You’re going to be okay, love," Joaquin whispered under his breath."I’ll bring you back. I promise."The nurses around him moved efficiently, handing him tools, monitoring Serena’s vitals.Joaquin gave quick, sharp instructions, falling into the rhythm of a surgeon—focused, precise, merciless against the enemy threatening his beloved.But the moment he made the first incision and peeled back the damaged tissue, his heart stopped.What he saw wasn't something any textbook had p
Chapter 226: Trust
The ambulance ride to Villareal Medical Hospital was a blur.Joaquin stayed by Serena’s side the entire time, holding her hand tightly, refusing to let go even for a second. The paramedics tried to assure him that she was stable, but for Joaquin, nothing was certain until he saw her open her eyes and smile again."Just a little more, love," he whispered under his breath. "Stay with me."When they arrived at VMH, the hospital staff, already alerted by Dr. Reyes, rushed Serena straight into the diagnostic wing. Joaquin followed closely behind, barking rapid instructions to the doctors like a man possessed."Full-body MRI. Prioritize her brain scan. Blood work. Everything. Move!"No one dared question him.Inside the emergency room, the machines buzzed to life.Joaquin watched through the glass as Serena was carefully prepped.Each beep from the monitors sent a spike of fear through his chest.A few minutes later, Dr. Ramirez, one of VMH’s senior neurologists, approached him."Dr. Lope
Chapter 225: Sick
"Serena!"Joaquin rushed to her side without wasting a second.He scooped her up carefully and checked her condition.She was unconscious—but there was still a pulse."Serena, wake up!" he pleaded, gently tapping her cheek."My daughter!"Emilio suddenly appeared, hurrying toward them."You! Let her go!" he shouted, his voice laced with fury.But Joaquin didn’t even flinch.His throat tightened when he realized how faint her pulse was.Without hesitation, he pulled her closer and tried to leave——but Emilio and several of his bodyguards blocked his path."Where do you think you’re going?! Are you trying to kidnap her in broad daylight?!" Emilio barked, disbelief clear in his voice."She’s weak! She needs to be taken to a hospital!" Joaquin shot back.James stepped between them, arms spread as if shielding Serena."No! If she’s really sick, I’ll be the one to take her!" he insisted.Joaquin tightened his hold on Serena, feeling the panic and rage brewing inside him."We don't have time
Chapter 224: The Wedding
Joaquin had just arrived home after the competition.He hadn’t even stepped fully inside when Jasmine rushed out to meet him."Joaquin! Thank goodness you're finally back!" Jasmine cried, her voice tight with worry.Her face was pale, anxious, her hands wringing the hem of her shirt.Joaquin’s brow furrowed immediately."What's wrong? Did something happen?"Jasmine hesitated, glancing away, struggling to find the words."It's Serena, Joaquin," she said quietly. "I’m afraid... we’re out of time."At the mention of Serena’s name, Joaquin’s heart started pounding violently against his chest. His instincts kicked in, his mind already racing."What? What happened? Is she okay?" he demanded.Jasmine dropped onto the sofa, burying her face in her hands for a moment before taking a long, shaky breath."Earlier today, Mikyla came here. I thought she was just here to cause trouble again, but no. She was frantic—panicking even—because she said she couldn't reach you. She told me... Serena’s wedd
Chapter 223: The Serpent
The air backstage was thick with sweat, blood, and tension.Joaquin moved with slow, deliberate steps, the cheers of the crowd still ringing in his ears. Every muscle in his body ached. His knuckles were split and bruised. His ribs burned with every breath. But none of that mattered. Not now.He hadn't forgotten.He couldn't forget.This fight was never just about the championship.It was about justice.It was about Master Iroh.Her sister, Jasmine.And George Beckham still had answers he hadn’t given.Miguel and Rick tried to steer him toward the locker rooms, but Joaquin shook them off with a tight jerk of his head.There was something he needed to do first."Give me a minute," he said, voice rough.Miguel frowned. "Joaquin—""I won't kill him," Joaquin said flatly. "Just talk."Miguel hesitated, then finally nodded. Rick crossed his arms, staying close but silent.George had just been hauled off the arena floor by two of his lackeys, limping heavily toward the private medical room
Chapter 222: The Winner
The morning of the final round arrived like a heavy storm.The city felt different—quieter, heavier—like the whole world was holding its breath.Joaquin woke before dawn, the restless energy inside him too much to ignoreHe barely touched his breakfast.He barely spoke a word.Rick came to pick him up, his usual casual grin replaced by a tense frown.Even Miguel, who rarely showed nerves, seemed heavier somehow, his presence more guarded.They knew.Everyone knew.This wasn’t just a fight.It was a war for everything Joaquin had left."You ready?" Rick asked as they drove toward the underground arena.Joaquin nodded once, his jaw tight.He didn’t trust himself to speak.Because the truth was—He wasn’t just ready.He was desperate.Desperate to win.Desperate to save Serena.Desperate to take back everything that had been stolen from them.The arena buzzed with anticipation.Spectators filled the stands, shouting and cheering as the final match of the Blue Tiger Ranking Competition wa
