Dustin took the hit, and he felt as if a mountain had crashed into him. The flame's impact shattered his barrier, sending him backward. Blood sprayed from his mouth and streaked behind him in a sharp arc.

He crashed onto the white stone floor over 100 feet away, tumbling until his momentum finally ran out. Only after driving his longsword into the ground for support did he manage to kneel on one knee.

The blade vibrated in his grip, its glow nearly gone. Whatever strength he'd just managed to recover was scattered like leaves in the wind.

Dustin's chest and abdomen felt trapped between ancient ice and hellfire. His soul seemed to be getting shredded by countless fangs, each wave of agony threatening to drown his consciousness.

Malthor's metal and fire abilities complemented each other perfectly. Their combined power didn't just add up, but it underwent a complete transformation into something far more deadly.

"You survived 70% of my Metal Void Slash and Soulfire Fist. That's some