Chapter 53: Chapter 26: Krillin vs. the Vampire
Upon hearing Goku's words, Fortuneteller Baba slid down from the crystal ball. If it weren't for her two little hands desperately holding onto the ball, it would have likely fallen to the ground.
Hearing Goku's remark, everyone turned red with embarrassment. Bulma stepped forward and covered Goku's mouth to prevent him from speaking further.
Fortuneteller Baba stood back on the crystal ball and said to Master Roshi, "So this is your disciple? Just like you, even at such a young age, he's a lecher."
Master Roshi blushed as well, unsure how to respond.
John then stepped forward and addressed Fortuneteller Baba, "We would like to ask you to help us find the last Dragon Ball."
"Of course, that's no problem. However, you should already know my conditions for helping; tell me what your choice is," Fortuneteller Baba asked.
John replied, "We have decided to challenge your five top fighters."
Fortuneteller Baba nodded and said, "Alright, no problem. Follow me; we will go to the arena."
Soon, Fortuneteller Baba led everyone to a large circular arena. She explained, "I have five fighters here; you will send five people from your side. The battles will alternate. If you defeat all five of my fighters, I will help you with divination for free."
"What are the rules?" Yamcha asked.
"The rules are the same as those of the World Martial Arts Tournament: anyone who falls out of the ring or surrenders loses," Fortuneteller Baba replied.
Krillin was feeling very confident at this moment; he stepped forward and said, "This is still quite simple! Can we start?"
With a smile on her face, Fortuneteller Baba said, "Of course! Come out, my first warrior!"
Soon, a bat flew out from deep within the palace. Before landing on the arena, it transformed into a man—the first fighter from Fortuneteller Baba was a vampire.
Krillin confidently walked onto the arena and declared, "Alright then! Let me take on this first match!"
He looked around the arena and reminisced, "It really brings back memories of the World Martial Arts Tournament; it's been a long time since I've fought anyone. I feel like my limbs are rusty."
"Can we start?" Krillin asked Fortuneteller Baba.
"Of course," she shouted loudly. "The match begins!"
Krillin assumed his stance and prepared to attack the vampire warrior. However, at that moment, the vampire began performing a ritual, worshipping something in all directions.
Naturally, Krillin wasn't one to take advantage of someone's distraction; he halted his attack and waited for the opponent to finish their ritual.
But while Krillin was being honorable, his opponent was not. As soon as Krillin let his guard down, the vampire warrior delivered a side kick that knocked Krillin over and followed up with jabs that forced him to retreat.
Realizing that his punches weren't causing much damage to Krillin, the vampire temporarily ceased his attack.
Although caught off guard, Krillin confidently stated, "Those side kicks and jabs can't hurt me; I've trained for this!"
"Now it's my turn," he declared as he swung his fist at the vampire warrior but was surprised when his opponent started another ritual.
This time Krillin ignored it; having learned his lesson once before, he interrupted the ritual with an attack.
As he threw a punch, the vampire warrior jumped high into the air to evade Krillin's strike.
Seeing this, Krillin became excited and shouted, "Fool! Jumping into the air? How can you change your moves now? You're just a target for me!" He then launched a flying kick at the vampire warrior.
However, just as Krillin was about to make contact, the vampire transformed back into a bat and flew into the air.
Krillin's attack missed entirely—not only did it miss now, but his subsequent attempts also failed because the opponent was now a bat with wings that kept evading him effortlessly.
After several spins and entanglements in mid-air, Krillin lost his bearings and left himself wide open for an attack.
The vampire warrior transformed back into human form and lunged at Krillin from behind.
Despite Yamcha and Goku's frantic warnings, it was too late; the vampire warrior grabbed Krillin from behind and sank its sharp teeth into his bald head while draining his blood.
This situation caused gasps from everyone around the arena as Master Roshi sighed and said, "Krillin has lost."
Everyone urged Krillin to surrender, but he refused; thinking about how he had performed just before stepping onto the arena made him even less willing to admit defeat—it would be too embarrassing.
The vampire warrior held onto Krillin tightly without letting go. In desperation, Krillin began running wildly around the arena with this creature attached to him.
But no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't shake off the vampire warrior. Eventually, in frustration, Krillin jumped backward and slammed himself into the arena floor.
Finally, this self-destructive act caused the vampire warrior to release its grip on him while Krillin crashed hard onto the ground.
Struggling to get back up on shaky legs, he angrily declared, "You bastard! I'm going to defeat you!"
The vampire warrior wiped blood from its mouth and remarked with delight, "Ahh! The blood of children is so sweet; I wish I could do this again!"
Hearing this made Krillin furious; blood gushed from his wound atop his head.
Yamcha quickly warned him: "Krillin! Don't get angry! Otherwise you'll bleed out!"
Realizing his condition now, Krillin hurriedly chanted: "Namu Amida Butsu..." After several recitations, he finally calmed down.
However, Goku looked at the blood on Krillin's head and cheerfully said: "Krillin! It looks like you've grown hair!"
Instantly reignited anger surged through Krillin; what had just calmed down began bleeding again profusely from his head wound.
This time though, losing blood became too much for him—Krillin felt dizzy and weak from blood loss; it was clear he had lost all fighting capability.
John didn't wait for another attack from the vampire warrior; he immediately shouted: "We concede this match!" He rushed onto the arena to pick up Krillin.
The ghost servant quickly brought a blood transfusion pack for Krillin; after receiving it, his pale complexion finally regained some color.