Dustin felt his body suddenly grow heavy, as if a mountain were crushing his shoulders. Even lifting his arm became a struggle.

The ground beneath his feet roiled and churned, making it impossible to maintain a steady footing. Countless deadly stone spikes and rock walls closed in from all sides, sealing off every avenue of escape.

Summoning the last of his true energy, his longsword erupted with a final, pure radiance. The spinning sword light formed a protective shield around him.

The clash of sword aura and stone sent fragments flying, the air thick with swirling dust.

Dustin's sword remained razor-sharp, each strike cleaving through massive chunks of rock. But the onslaught seemed endless. Just as he destroyed one pile, another erupted from the ground.

Moreover, the crushing gravity limited his speed and strength. It made every swing of his sword a monumental effort.

His face had gone even paler, and his breath came in harsh, wheezing gasps. The webbing between his thumb and