Chapter 15: No.15: Plus-sized Power {2}
Surprised, the rich man hadn’t expected the seemingly weak Bruce to be capable of not just withstanding his punch, but even having enough strength to still try provoking him as well.
Shocked as well, Summer was surprised that Bruce had actually taken the hit.
Usually, she’d be the one to protect him whenever such things occurred, whereas Bruce wouldn’t be able to do much and would often just say thanks in return, though he was secretly displeased by having to rely on her to shield him.
Yet, here he was, standing as though nothing had happened while shielding her from an annoying pervert.
Noticing the beauty’s dazed expression as she absent-mindedly stared at Bruce, the young prat gritted his teeth in annoyance as he realized his plan had created an adverse effect for him instead.
Irritated by this, he quickly sent a barrage of punches to the belly of the beast.
Each punch packed his full strength as he relentlessly assaulted Bruce’s abdomen.
Snapping out of her daze, Summer was about to activate her Ability to help out, but Bruce prevented her once more, gesturing for her to stay back.
"Why won’t you go down!"
Frustrated, the rich prat struggled to maintain his relentless barrage as he kept at it, dishing out punch after punch, yet it felt like he was simply punching against some sort of soft marshmallow. His attacks were merely absorbed by Bruce’s protruding belly, greatly reducing the effect of his punches.
Looking down at the rich prat, who now seemed smaller in comparison, Bruce smirked in provocation as he replied.
"Is this really the best you can do? I’ve seen toddlers that could pack more of a punch than you."
Watching from behind, Summer tightened her fist in frustration. Though she didn’t really need Bruce to help out in dealing with someone like this, as she was more than capable enough to handle him.
However, she was reluctant to intervene, as due to Bruce’s secret displeasure whenever she defended him in the past, she knew he didn’t like it whenever she did. So, she feared that Bruce would feel hurt this time as well if she was the one to defend him again, especially when he was finally taking the initiative to stand up for himself for the first time since they were young.
So, she could only grit her teeth in frustration as she watched from behind, because despite Bruce’s bravado of appearing unharmed, she could tell from his breathing and subtle grunts whenever he withstood a punch, that it hurt.
So, she knew he was merely enduring it, since most of his stats were below that of an average person, other than his strength, which was his sole advantage.
As such, she chose not to intervene unless Bruce was truly in danger.
Slightly out of breath from having to use far more strength than he’d initially anticipated, the rich prat struggled to catch his breath as he realized he had to change his approach if the fight was to be in his favor.
Before he could though, a voice drew him out of his thoughts.
"You done? Guess it’s my turn then."
Already in motion before he had even completed his sentence, Bruce delivered a vicious slap to the rich prat’s face. Using his full strength, coupled with the weight of his plus-sized hand, Bruce’s slap carried more force than that of an average adult male.
The slap, sharp and crispy, resounded through the night as it connected with the rich prat’s face.
Staggering backwards as he struggled to maintain his balance, the young man felt as though his head had suddenly been struck by a massive sledgehammer, causing him to sway as the world suddenly began spinning around him.
By the time his mind finally settled a bit, the rich prat found himself with his ass rooted to the ground some distance from the duo, Bruce’s towering figure now looming over him like an unmoving mountain.
A calm, yet provocative smirk still present on his face as he looked down at the disheveled young man.
Enraged and embarrassed by having been humbled by someone like Bruce, who looked like he wouldn’t be able to lift a bench even if his life depended on it, the young prat gritted his teeth in frustration.
Though he’d used his full strength when attempting to bring Bruce down, he had been reluctant to use his Ability in the open for a number of reasons.
But seeing as there wasn’t anyone else around and they were in a quiet place, he hesitated for only a moment.
However, upon seeing Bruce’s annoying smirk, coupled with the disgrace of having lost to someone like him, he no longer hesitated, as there was only so much one could withstand.
Standing up, the young prat clenched his fist in barely suppressed rage as he subconsciously activated his Ability.
On doing so, a reddish-orange surge pulsed around his arm as a glowing, thin energy coiled around his right arm, causing slight green scales to appear on it.
Glaring at Bruce, he dashed towards him, his speed visibly amplified by his Ability, causing him to appear in front of Bruce faster than normal.
Noticing the shift, Summer immediately reacted as well, as she was about to activate her own Ability, intending to push Bruce out of harm’s way and attack, when...
"Freeze!"
A sharp, authoritative voice pierced the night’s silence as a figure appeared from the darkness, pointing an odd-looking gun at the rich prat.
Stopping on hearing this, the young prat stood frozen in place, surprised someone had caught him at the worst possible time. His shock soon turned into a hint of fear on hearing the figure’s words that followed.
"Section 12, Clause 4 of the Metro-Colonial Decree states: ’The use of Abilities within the city is strictly forbidden, except where necessary to protect one’s life.’
Pausing slightly as he scanned the scene before concluding that the one who had used his Ability was clearly the instigator, he added.
"As such, you are hereby under arrest for a clear violation of this decree and will be taken into custody. Anything you say or do may be used against you in a court of law."
Visible sweat trickled down the young prat’s face on hearing this, as he instinctively cancelled his attack in the process.
Contrary to this, Bruce’s smirk widened at the sight.
Glancing at the cop who now stood some distance from them, Bruce thought to himself.
’Looks like someone finally decided to join the party.’
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