"Spider?" Sunjae asked.
The woman smiled. "You must be the ones causing all the noise."
"We're here for the kids," Baki said.
The blonde man stepped forward. "You're not getting past us."
Spider tilted her head. "Ken and I have been waiting for something interesting to happen. Looks like today's our lucky day."
Ken rolled his shoulders. "Let's see what you've got."
Sunjae looked at Baki. "I'll take the blonde one."
"Fine by me," Baki said, eyes on Spider.
The corridor went quiet for a moment. Then Ken moved.
---
Ken charged at Sunjae, closing the distance fast. His fist came up in a straight jab. Sunjae's superior speed allowed him to see it coming. He sidestepped and countered with a hook. Ken ducked under it and spun, his leg whipping around in a wide arc. The kick came fast but Sunjae blocked it with his forearm. The impact was solid but Sunjae's strength held.
Ken didn't stop. He spun again, his other leg coming around. Sunjae ducked under it and threw an uppercut. Ken leaned back, the punch missing by inches. He continued spinning, his body rotating like a top. Three more kicks came in rapid succession. Sunjae blocked the first, redirected the second away from his body with a swift hand movement, and caught the third kick with both hands.
Ken's eyes widened. Sunjae twisted the caught leg and threw Ken to the side. Ken flipped in mid-air and landed on his feet, skidding back.
"Fast," Ken said.
Ken jumped and spun in mid-air, his legs extended. He seemed to hang there for a moment, still spinning, his body horizontal. Before his heel could come down toward Sunjae's head, Sunjae performed a backflip, his feet leaving the ground. He landed several feet back.
Ken's heel smashed into the floor. The metal dented. He looked up. Sunjae was already rushing in, his speed overwhelming. Ken threw a punch. Sunjae redirected it with a sweep of his hand, the punch sliding past his shoulder. Sunjae's fist connected with Ken's ribs. Ken grunted and stumbled back.
Ken lunged forward with another punch. Sunjae blocked and threw a knee. Ken sidestepped and delivered a high kick that grazed Sunjae's cheek. Sunjae felt the sting but his superior speed allowed him to grab Ken's leg before it fully retracted. He yanked. Ken hopped on one foot but didn't fall. Instead, he jumped and used his free leg to kick Sunjae in the chest. The force broke Sunjae's grip.
Ken landed and immediately went low. His leg swept at Sunjae's ankles. Sunjae jumped, performing a front flip in mid-air. He landed behind Ken. Ken spun on his hands and his other leg came around at chest height. Sunjae leaned back, the kick missing. He grabbed Ken's extended leg and threw him. Ken crashed into the wall but rolled smoothly to his feet.
Ken charged again. This time he feinted with a punch and then his leg came up high, aiming for Sunjae's head. Sunjae's speed allowed him to duck just in time. The kick whooshed over him. Ken's other leg came up immediately after. Sunjae raised both arms and redirected the kick upward. Ken's foot hit the ceiling.
Ken landed in a crouch. He sprang up, his fist coming up in a vicious uppercut. The punch came fast and hard. Sunjae tried to dodge but the angle was wrong. The fist connected with his jaw. His feet left the ground. He flew upward, slamming into a pipe on the ceiling.
Sunjae twisted his body in mid-air and grabbed the pipe. He swung himself and flipped, landing on his feet. Blood dripped from his mouth. Ken stood a few feet away, watching.
"Get up," Ken said.
Sunjae wiped his mouth. "I'm already up."
Ken moved in again. His leg shot up in a high kick. Sunjae used his speed to sidestep and counter with a punch. Ken blocked and delivered another high kick from the other side. Sunjae ducked under it. Ken's leg came around again. And again. Four kicks in rapid succession, all aimed at Sunjae's head.
Sunjae's speed kicked in. He weaved between the first two kicks, redirected the third with his forearm, and caught the fourth. Ken tried to pull free but Sunjae held firm. Sunjae yanked Ken forward and drove his knee into Ken's stomach. Ken gasped.
Sunjae released the leg and threw a combination. His fists moved in a blur. Ken blocked the first few but Sunjae's overwhelming speed meant more punches got through. One hit Ken's jaw. Another his ribs. A third his temple. Ken staggered back.
Ken shook his head, clearing it. He rushed forward and stepped in close, tensing his entire body. His leg came around in a heavy roundhouse kick, all his weight behind it. Sunjae saw it coming and jumped, performing a side flip over the kick. He landed and immediately rushed in, his speed overwhelming. He threw a punch. Ken barely raised his arm to block. The force of Sunjae's superior strength pushed him back several feet.
Ken gritted his teeth. His body tensed again, every muscle locked. Another heavy kick came, this one with even more force. This time Sunjae didn't dodge. He raised his arm to block. The kick smashed into his forearm. Even with his superior strength, he felt the impact. His arm went numb for a moment.
Ken moved in again, his body still rigid and tense. He threw the heavy roundhouse again, his whole body weight behind it. Sunjae ducked under it and swept Ken's standing leg. Ken fell. Sunjae jumped and brought his elbow down. Ken rolled to the side. Sunjae's elbow smashed into the floor, denting the metal.
Ken scrambled to his feet. He grabbed Sunjae's arm and pulled him upright. His knee came up into Sunjae's gut. Once. Sunjae tensed his muscles, his superior strength absorbing most of the impact. Ken's second knee came up. Sunjae caught it with both hands and shoved Ken back.
Ken stumbled but stayed on his feet. He moved in again, his leg shooting up in a high kick. Sunjae caught it with one hand. Ken looked surprised. Sunjae's other hand grabbed Ken's collar and he threw him. Ken flew across the corridor and crashed into the opposite wall. The metal buckled.
Ken pushed himself off the wall, breathing hard. "Though you look scrawny, you can pack some punch."
"Instead of complementing me, let's get on with the fight," Sunjae said.
Ken charged. His fist came up in another powerful uppercut. Sunjae's speed allowed him to sidestep. The fist missed by inches. Ken followed through, spinning in mid-air. His leg came around in a wide arc. Sunjae ducked and rushed in while Ken was still airborne. He grabbed Ken's leg and slammed him into the floor. The metal cracked.
Ken coughed, blood splattering. Sunjae didn't let go. He lifted Ken by the leg and threw him. Ken crashed through a door, landing in the next room.
Sunjae walked through the broken door. Ken was getting to his feet, slower this time. Blood dripped from his mouth.
"Not done yet?" Sunjae asked.
"Not even close."
Ken sprang up. His leg came up in a high kick. Sunjae caught it. Ken jumped off his standing leg and twisted, his free foot aiming for Sunjae's head. Sunjae leaned back, the kick missing by inches. He yanked Ken's caught leg down hard. Ken crashed to the floor face-first.
Ken pushed himself up. He spun and his leg swept at Sunjae's ankles. Sunjae jumped over it, performing a backflip. He landed several feet away. Ken got to his feet and charged. He jumped and spun in the air again, his body horizontal. His legs extended, both feet aimed at Sunjae. Sunjae sidestepped using his superior speed. Ken's feet hit the wall. He pushed off and spun, his leg coming around. Sunjae blocked. The impact pushed him back a step.
Ken landed and immediately spun again, building momentum. His kicks came faster now—one after another, each one spinning into the next. Sunjae used his speed to weave between them. One kick came at his head. He ducked. Another at his ribs. He redirected it with his hand. A third at his legs. He jumped over it.
Ken jumped and spun in the air again, his body a blur of motion. He seemed to hang there, suspended, his legs still spinning. Then he descended, his heel aimed at Sunjae's head. Sunjae raised both arms to block. The kick smashed into his guard. The force was immense but Sunjae's superior strength held. His feet slid back but he stayed standing.
Ken landed and immediately kicked at Sunjae's head. Sunjae ducked and rushed in. His fist connected with Ken's stomach. Ken doubled over. Sunjae grabbed him by the hair and drove his knee up. It connected with Ken's face. Blood exploded from Ken's nose. Sunjae released him and Ken staggered back.
Ken wiped the blood from his face. He rushed in again. He jumped and his leg came down in an overhead axe kick. Sunjae sidestepped using his speed. Ken's heel smashed into the floor. The metal buckled. Sunjae threw a punch at Ken's exposed back. Ken twisted and blocked with his forearm. His other leg came up in a roundhouse. Sunjae caught it with both hands.
Ken's eyes widened. Sunjae twisted the leg hard and threw Ken across the room. Ken hit the wall and dropped to the floor.
Ken got up slowly. His movements were sluggish now. Blood covered his face. He spat to the side.
"You're good," Ken said. "Real good."
"Stop it, I am blushing~" Sunjae said mockingly.
Ken shook his head. He crouched low, gathering his strength. Every muscle in his body tensed. He leaped into the air, higher than before, using every ounce of power in his legs. He rose up, his fist coming up in a rising uppercut with all his momentum behind it. His whole body was committed to the attack.
Sunjae's eyes widened. The attack was coming straight at him. He jumped to the side using his superior speed. Ken's fist shot past him, missing by inches. The force of the punch created a gust of wind.
Ken landed hard, stumbling. He was on one knee, breathing heavily. The attack had taken everything out of him. His legs were shaking.
Sunjae walked over. Ken tried to get up but his legs gave out. He fell forward. Sunjae caught him and eased him to the floor.
"I have seen strong people," Ken said, coughing. "But... you're something else."
"My my, are you that impressed~" Sunjae said with a smile.
Ken's eyes closed. He was out.
Sunjae stood and looked back toward the corridor. He could hear fighting. Baki was still going.
---
Baki watched Spider. She watched him back.
"You're not going to ask me to surrender?" she said.
"No."
She smiled. "Good. I hate boring fights."
Baki's asked with a grin. "Are you strong?"
Spider didn't answer. She moved first. She leaped forward, her body spinning. Her leg came around in a downward kick. Baki sidestepped. Her heel smashed into the floor, leaving a dent.
She spun again, her leg coming up. Baki leaned back. Her foot grazed his chin. She landed and immediately jumped forward, both legs extended. Baki raised his arm to block. Her feet hit his forearm. The impact sent him sliding back.
Spider landed and rushed in. She jumped and both her legs came down. Baki rolled to the side. Her feet hit the floor hard, the metal buckling under the force. She pushed off and jumped at him again. Baki rolled again. She landed where he'd been a moment before.
She didn't stop. She spun, her hand coming around aimed at his midsection. Baki blocked with his forearm. The force rattled his arm. Before he could counter, her leg came up and caught him under the chin. His head snapped back.
Spider landed and spun again. Her leg came around. Baki blocked. She immediately followed with another kick from the other side. Baki blocked that too. Her third kick came from above, her leg descending. Baki stepped back. Her heel smashed into the floor.
She jumped and thrust her hand forward, fingers extended, aimed at his face. Baki sidestepped. Her hand hit the wall, denting the metal. She twisted in mid-air and her leg came around. Baki ducked. Her foot whistled over his head. She landed and immediately spun, her leg hitting his midsection. Baki blocked with both arms. The impact pushed him back. A small smile formed on his face.
She rushed in again. Her leg came up high. Baki caught it with both hands. Spider grinned. She placed her other foot on his head, her heel pressing down on his skull. She used him as a platform and jumped, flipping over him. Baki tried to hold on but she twisted free in mid-air.
She landed behind him. Before he could turn, her leg came up and slammed into the back of his head. Baki stumbled forward. Spider jumped onto his back, her foot pressing down on the back of his neck. The pressure was immense. He dropped to one knee.
She pivoted her foot, grinding her heel into his neck. Baki gritted his teeth. The pain was intense. She applied more pressure, her weight crushing down. Then she jumped off and delivered a spinning kick to the back of his head. Baki fell forward, catching himself with his hands.
Spider stepped back and said mockingly. "Don't tell it's over already."
Baki pushed himself to his feet. His neck throbbed. He rolled his shoulders. "You're strong just like I hoped."
Spider moved in again. She placed her foot on his head and dragged it down, forcing him to bend forward. Her other leg came up. Baki tried to straighten but her foot kept him bent. Her kick connected with his head, sending him into the air. He flew upward. Spider jumped after him, her leg coming around. It connected with his side. Baki crashed into the wall.
He slid down, leaving a dent in the metal. Spider landed in a crouch.
"You're tough," she said. "But you're too slow."
Baki stood. His side hurt, "Good. This is getting interesting."
Spider rushed in again. She placed her foot on his head and drove him down to the ground. His face hit the floor. Before he could react, she stomped on the back of his head. Then she stomped on his back. Once. Twice. Each impact drove the air from his lungs.
She stepped off him. Baki pushed himself up, gasping. Spider grabbed him by the hair and pulled him to his knees. She placed her foot on the back of his neck and used it as a platform to jump. She flipped in the air. On the descent, she stomped on the back of his neck. Baki's face hit the floor again. She pivoted her foot on his neck, applying pressure. Then she stepped off.
Baki rolled to his side, coughing. Spider was already moving again. She placed the underside of her foot on his shoulder and shoved him across the corridor. He slid several feet. Before he could get up, she jumped and spun in the air, her leg coming around aimed at the back of his head.
Baki moved. No acceleration. He was just standing somewhere else now at full speed. Spider's kick hit empty air. She landed, her eyes widening.
"What—?"
"I had my warm up. Now, my turn!" Baki said.
She rushed in. She jumped and grabbed him in mid-air, placing her foot on his shoulder. She used it as a platform to jump and flip over him. Baki reached up but she was already over him. She landed behind him and her leg came up high. It descended. Baki turned and raised his arm to block. Her heel smashed down on his forearm. He felt the bone bruise.
Spider landed and immediately jumped again. She swooped down toward him, her foot extended. Her first kick hit his chest. The second his jaw. She finished with a final kick that sent him flying backward. Baki crashed into a pipe. It bent from the impact.
He fell to the floor. Spider landed. She cartwheeled through the air, her legs extended. The spinning kicks came at him. Baki rolled to the side. The first kick hit the floor. He rolled again. The second kick missed. The third grazed his shoulder.
Spider landed and laughed. She beckoned to him. "What happened? Giving up your turn?"
Baki got to his feet. "Not even close."
He rushed in and threw a punch. Spider didn't move. His fist was about to connect when she suddenly dashed backward. Baki's punch hit empty air. He heard her laugh behind him. He spun. She was standing there, several feet away.
"Too slow," she said.
Baki rushed in again. He threw another punch. Spider laughed and beckoned again. His fist was about to hit when she dashed again, this time straight up. She jumped high into the air. He looked up. She was above him, her leg extended. It came down toward his head.
Baki didn't raise his arms. He stepped out of her sight. Her vision lost him. She landed, confused. She spun, searching.
He was right in front of her. Before she could react, his fist shot forward. It caught her in the stomach. Spider gasped, stumbling back.
"How did you—?"
Baki moved in. Left punch. Right punch. Left hook. All clean. Simple. Spider blocked the first two but the hook caught her in the ribs. She grunted.
She jumped back. "Alright. No more playing around."
She rushed in. Her leg came up high. Baki sidestepped and countered. He spun and his leg came around. The same motion she'd used earlier. Spider's eyes widened as she barely leaned back. Baki's heel whistled past her face.
"That's my move!"
Baki said nothing. But his eyes were intense now. Focused.
Spider's face hardened. She rushed in again. Her leg came up. Baki caught it with both hands. She placed her other foot on his chest and shoved herself back. She jumped and spun, her leg coming around aimed at the back of his head. Baki turned and raised his arm to block. The kick was powerful. His arm went numb.
Spider landed and immediately jumped again. She spun in the air, her body horizontal. Her leg extended, aiming for his head. Baki ducked. She landed behind him. Her hand came around aimed at his midsection. Baki caught her wrist. She immediately kicked at his side. Baki blocked with his other arm.
She kicked again from the other side. Before the kick could connect, Baki pulled her wrist hard. She stumbled. Baki's fist, middle knuckle extended, hit a point on her shoulder. Spider gasped, her arm going numb.
She jumped back. She shook her arm, trying to get feeling back. "What was that?"
Baki didn't answer.
She laughed, but there was an edge to it. "Fine. Have it your way."
She rushed in. Her leg came up high. Baki caught it with one hand. She tried to place her other foot on his chest but Baki grabbed that leg too. She was suspended in the air, both her legs in his grip. Her eyes widened.
Baki slammed her into the floor. Hard. The metal buckled. She gasped. Blood trickled from her mouth. Baki lifted her by the legs and slammed her again. And again. On the fourth slam, she managed to twist and kick at his face with both feet. He released her legs. She rolled away, breathing hard.
Blood trickled from her mouth. She wiped it with the back of her hand. "Okay. I underestimated you."
She stood and rushed. She leaped forward and spun in the air, her leg coming down. Baki sidestepped. He jumped and spun. His leg came around. Spider barely blocked with her forearm. The impact sent her sliding back.
"Did you just copy me?"
Baki didn't respond.
Spider's face twisted. She rushed in, throwing rapid kicks and flips. Baki met her. For every kick she threw, he had an counterattack.
Spider landed and went for a takedown. Baki defended. She tried to hook his leg. Baki moved and got behind her, controlling her back.
She realized he'd copied that too. She drove her elbow back into his ribs. Once. Twice. Baki's grip loosened. Spider rolled forward and got to her feet. She was breathing hard.
"What the hell are you?"
Baki didn't answer. He moved forward. His body seemed to disappear. Spider lost track of him. She spun. Baki had stepped out of her sight. He appeared behind her, already moving. His palm hit her between the shoulder blades. Spider stumbled forward.
She spun to face him but he was gone. She looked left, then right. Baki dropped from above where she wasn't looking. His knee drove into her shoulder. Spider cried out, dropping to one knee.
"Stop doing that!"
Baki said nothing.
Spider pushed herself up. She closed her eyes. "Fine. I'll fight blind."
She rushed in, relying on sound. She threw a spinning kick. Baki caught it. She tried to place her free foot on his shoulder and flip away. But Baki yanked her leg down. Spider crashed to the floor.
Before she could recover, Baki dropped down. He wrapped his arm around her neck from behind. Spider's eyes snapped open. She grabbed at his arm. Her legs kicked. Baki's other arm came around. His legs hooked around her waist.
Spider refused to tap. She tried to stand, lifting Baki's weight. She got to one knee. Baki adjusted, sinking deeper. Spider's face turned red, then purple. Her struggles grew weaker.
Finally, she tapped his arm. Three times. Baki released. Spider collapsed forward, gasping. She rolled onto her back, sucking in air.
Baki stood. Spider tried to get up but couldn't. She got to her hands and knees. Baki walked over.
"Stay down, the fights not enjoyable anymore." he said.
Spider looked up at him. Blood trickled from her mouth. Her eyes were unfocused.
She tried to stand one more time. She got one foot under her. Baki moved. His body blurred. He appeared in front of her, spinning. His leg came around. The same move she'd done. But faster. Cleaner. His heel caught her temple. Spider's eyes rolled back. She collapsed and didn't move.
Baki stood over her. She was still breathing but unconscious.
He turned. Sunjae was walking back into the corridor. Ken was unconscious in the other room.
"Done?" Sunjae asked.
"Yeah."