Alex crossed his arms, looking at Baba. "So, let me get this straight. If I defeat your five fighters in one-on-one matches, you'll tell us our fortune for free?"
Baba chuckled, nodding. "That's right."
A confident smirk spread across Alex's face. "Well, looks like I'll be fighting all five of them, then."
Baba's chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh. "Oh, you brave fool! Do you really think you can take on all five of my fighters alone?" She leaned forward, her grin fading into a more serious expression. "I warn you, these are no ordinary fighters. You should think this through carefully."
Alex didn't hesitate. "I can handle myself just fine. I'm ready."
Baba studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. The rules are simple—whoever is thrown into the lake or gives up loses." She floated a little higher. "Let's see how long you last."
Alex nodded. "Sounds easy enough."
Mellon stepped out of the ring, pumping her fist. "Good luck, Alex! I wanna see five wet fighters before you leave that ring!"
Baba turned toward the entrance to the dome-shaped room behind her. "Fang the Vampire, come forth!"
A bat flapped into the ring, its wings beating rapidly. With a burst of smoke, it transformed into a blue-skinned humanoid with sharp fangs and white gloves. Fang let out a cackle before striking an odd dance pose.
Mellon blinked. "What the hell was that?"
Baba ignored her. "Now... let the match begin!"
Alex and Fang took their stances as Baba raised her hand. "Ready... set... fight!"
Fang immediately started his weird little dance again, grinning.
Alex narrowed his eyes. What's he up to?
Just as he was about to charge forward, Fang suddenly lunged at him with a high kick.
THUMP!
Alex blocked it effortlessly. "You didn't think I'd drop my guard, did you?"
Fang growled and threw a left punch, then a right. Alex dodged both with ease. Before Fang could retreat—
BAM!
Alex's fist crashed into Fang's face, sending him flying backward. He skidded across the ring before coming to a stop at the edge.
Mellon winced. "Is... is he okay?"
Fang twitched, then groaned as he slowly stood up, rubbing his face. "That hurts..."
Alex rolled his shoulders. "I held back. Didn't wanna kill you."
"You... I'll make you pay!" Fang snarled before transforming back into a bat. He darted around the ring at random angles, zigzagging unpredictably.
Alex swung at him, but his fists only hit air.
Fang cackled. "Hahaha!"
Then he dived straight for Alex.
Alex sidestepped just in time. I can't track his movements like this... I need to anticipate where he'll be, not where he is.
Fang soared upward and looped around for another dive.
Alex watched closely, adjusting his stance.
As Fang turned to dive again, Alex sprang into action.
NOW!
He leaped behind Fang mid-flight.
Fang blinked. "Huh? Where'd he go—?"
"Behind you," Baba called out.
Before Fang could react—
CHOP!
Alex's strike slammed into the back of his neck.
CRASH!
Fang hit the ring hard, his body twitching before he slowly transformed back into his humanoid form.
Still groggy, he staggered to his feet and roared, running straight at Alex with his fangs bared.
Alex didn't move.
Fang lunged.
POW!
Alex's foot smashed into Fang's gut mid-air, sending him hurtling backward.
SPLASH!
Fang crashed into the lake.
Mellon erupted into cheers. "YES! I knew it! Go Alex! Beat 'em all!"
Baba chuckled. "Impressive. But that was just the warm-up. Let's see how you fare against my real fighters."
Alex cracked his knuckles. "I'm ready. Bring out the next one."
Baba's eyes gleamed. "Oh, he's already here."
Alex and Mellon exchanged glances.
Mellon frowned. "Uh… am I missing something? I don't see anyone."
Baba smirked. "Of course you don't. He's invisible."
Mellon groaned. "Oh, come on. Is this a joke? Seeing your age, I wouldn't blame you if you'd gone senile or something…"
Baba ignored her. "Don't underestimate him. This will not be easy."
Alex simply closed his eyes. "I don't need to see him to beat him."
"Oh? A bold claim. Let's see if you can back it up." Baba raised her hand. "Helene! Begin!"
The next moment, a mocking laugh rang out.
"Hahaha! Guess which hand is behind my back! Is it the left...?"
POW!
A punch landed square on Alex's jaw.
"...Or is it the right?"
POW!
Another punch struck him, making his head snap to the side.
Mellon gasped. "Alex! What are you doing?!"
Alex didn't respond, standing still as if deep in thought.
The invisible man laughed. "You're not so tough, are you?"
Alex smirked. "Is that all? I'm disappointed."
The laughter stopped.
"What did you just say?!"
"For someone with such a special ability, you're pretty weak. Although..." Alex exhaled slowly. "...thanks for the warm-up."
"You... I'll show you weak!" the invisible man shouted.
Alex smirked. "But to answer your question—I'd say neither of your hands are behind your back—"
POW!
Another punch struck Alex, but this time, instead of staggering, he gritted his teeth and stood his ground. His eyes snapped open, locking onto his opponent's position.
Before the invisible man could react, Alex's hand shot out—grabbing his wrist mid-strike.
"Got you."
BAM!
Alex drove his knee into the invisible man's midsection. A choked gasp escaped his unseen opponent as the force of the blow knocked the wind out of him.
"You idiot! He baited you!" Baba snapped.
Alex wasn't finished. With a swift turn, he lifted the invisible man clean off the ground—
SLAM!
He threw him over his head, slamming him into the ring with a heavy thud.
A pained groan followed. "P-please... I can't take it anymore... I... I quit..."
Mellon burst into laughter, dancing around. "YES! Two down! Go Alex! Go Alex!"
Baba frowned but quickly hid her disappointment behind a smirk. "Clever. But that won't save you from my remaining forces."
Alex rolled his shoulders. "Let's see about that."
Baba chuckled. "Now for our third match… We're going to need a change of scenery. Follow me.
Power levels
Invisible man : 30
fang : 85
Alex :(weights) 125