After pondering for a bit, I decided to agree.

“But first, let me get some grub.”

His face showed a dirty grin, but that doesn’t matter.

I went and ordered 2 coppers worth of food, then started stuffing myself whilst manipulating the Status Menu with my Parallel Thought.

With 2160 free points, I allocated 240 per stat (2160/9), feeling my body structure being remade once again.

Then I thought…

If a magic hand is on par with my power, couldn’t I just let them have the fight?

I took a glance at Grovan, finding that he isn’t wearing any magic nullifying clothes, it was decided.

Out of excitement to see my hands fight, as if they were my children, I ate as fast as I could, making onlookers have surprised faces.

Well, of course, since it appeared as if the food disappeared.

Getting up, I motioned him to go outside with my head, then followed him suit.

People not wanting to miss information about Grovans fighting and mine, or just want to watch, surrounded us in the alleys and behind.

Of course, they maintained their distance, since every time he fights, the ground is destroyed one way or another.

Once we got into our poses, I gave Bob a knuckleduster, and the rest were given the assassin knives after some enchanting, then I gave each hand an ‘All-Elemental Bestowal’.

Then finishing off with a magic nullify bypass enchantment on the hands, I stood behind them.

“What, are those weak hands going to fight me?”

“Yeah, sorry to disappoint you.” I said, with a sarcastic tone.

I swore I could see a vein pop up for a moment, then his face relaxed.

“You’ll pay dearly as a punching bag for underestimating me.”

Correct that, I wanted to retort.

If I was underestimating him, I would have given him James.

Anyhow, before they start mashing him, I ordered them to move slowly, and ignore him if he started hitting me.

“Ready?”

He asked, with the same dirty grin as before, but wider.

I accepted the duel pop up, then the countdown started in my head.

Start!

Just as it was said, he came at me, with his silver-like gauntlets, at an incredible speed.

-That is how the spectators see it.

As for me, due to my recent stat allocation, he looked as if he was running in slow motion.

I couldn’t help but make a silent chuckle as he came at me with his right arm raised and curled up, ready to deliver its punch.

He hit me square in the face, but that wasn’t the end.

Seeing that the System didn’t stop him, he started releasing abilities one after another, and finished off with a hammer on top of my head.

From the intensity of his attacks, the marble ground below me cracked, and dust gathered around us.

He waited for the winning announcement, but unfortunately for him, it didn’t appear.

Feeling confused, he stared at the dust until it cleared, showing my figure, unmoving.

Cold sweat trickled on his cheeks, more so when the dust dissipated.

The crowd started cheering, louder as my figure got clearer, with 5 magic arms around me.

“ouch.”

I said, in a mocking tone.

His face was confused, but a hint of nervousness appeared as well.

“Haven’t you heard? I just defeated Isabelle before coming here.”

A chill ran down his spine as he remembered a man who entered 20 minutes ago, talking about a black haired, gray eyed kid who one-sidedly destroyed Isabelle.

His mind started to panic, making him go and try for another hopeless volley of punches.

But I didn’t give him a chance.

“Attack!” I ordered the hands.

The first one to strike was John, slicing the man’s clothes like butter, in a way made so that his nipples and his underwear were shown.

What amazing preciseness, I thought.

Next up was Larry, letting go of the dagger, he made his fingers in a V sign, and stabbed them in the man’s eyes.

“AAAAAAAHHH MY EYEEESSS IT BURNS!”

He screamed, but the hands did not falter.

Henry, taking a chance, started to torture Grovan in a way that will deal no harm.

Going below the man’s arm pits, Larry and Bob held off the arms, then Henry started to tickle.

“AAAH.. AHAHAHA. AHHHH STOPP!”

Screaming in pain while laughing, tears started to drop from his eyes, then came James’ turn.

Feeling mischievous, he decided to go and further humiliate the man, pulling off his gauntlets then his pants.

I stood there, giggling with the laughter of the crowd, until Bob’s turn came.

As if to end his sufferings, yet renew it later, Bob took off with high speed, having a clear destination.

He went below Grovan, crumbled his fist together, then struck him right in between his legs.

A groan was heard, before Grovan dropped on his knees, covering his testicles.

On the corners of my eyes, I saw a few people cringing, but then got back to cheering.

-Ding!

“You have leveled up x32!”

-Ding!

“‘Torture’ has leveled up by 23 levels.”

-Ding!

“Magic Hand Evolution in progress.”

Suddenly, the hands stopped what they are doing, and started shaking in place.

The crowd saw what was happening, and got silent, concentrating on the vibrating hands.

Excitement filled the air, and infected others, me included.

…