The man lunged forward, Knox braced himself for the impact, his muscles tensing in anticipation. He could feel the raw energy coursing through his veins, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to meet his opponent's attack head-on.

With a swift motion, the man's body shimmered with metallic energy, transforming his flesh into a hardened shell of steel. Knox watched in awe as the man's form took on an almost otherworldly appearance, his muscles bulging beneath the metallic sheen.

Undeterred by the man's newfound strength, Knox met his adversary's charge with a flurry of punches, his fists wreathed in white flames. The air sizzled with the heat of their clash as Knox's flames licked against the man's metallic defenses, the intense heat causing the metal to glow with an eerie red hue.

But the man proved to be a formidable foe, his metal-reinforced body absorbing the brunt of Knox's blows with ease. With each passing moment, Knox felt the strain of their battle weighing heavily upon him, his muscles burning with exertion as he fought to overcome his adversary's defenses.

As the fight wore on, Knox was pushed to his limits, his movements becoming increasingly desperate as he sought to gain the upper hand. But no matter how hard he fought, the man's defenses remained impenetrable, his metallic exterior serving as an impenetrable barrier against Knox's attacks.

With each failed strike, Knox felt his frustration mounting, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to keep pace with his adversary. But even as doubt crept into his mind, he refused to give up, his determination driving him forward even in the face of overwhelming odds.

He redoubled his efforts, channeling his inner strength into a devastating onslaught of blows. But the man remained unfazed, his metallic form standing firm against Knox's relentless assault. With each passing moment, the strain of their battle weighed heavily upon Knox, his muscles screaming in protest as he fought to maintain his momentum.

Suddenly, Knox got an idea. He would wait for the man to punch, but right before contact, he would use Null style to get rid of the Metal, and then he would hit him with the full power of Eternal flame. Knox braced himself for the impending clash as the man charged forward, his metallic form glinting in the dim light filtering through the forest canopy. With a swift motion, the man's fist shot out towards Knox, his movements precise and calculated.

In that critical moment, Knox focused all his concentration, his mind racing with his formulated plan. He waited until the last possible instant, milliseconds before the man's fist made contact. With a surge of willpower, he activated his Null Style skill, channeling his mana into the technique.

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In an instant, a wave of energy rippled outward from Knox, cascading over the man's metallic form. The metal that encased the man's body shimmered and distorted, its integrity compromised by the nullifying effect of Knox's skill. With a flicker of movement, the metal began to disintegrate, crumbling away like ashes in the wind.

Seizing the opportunity, Knox sprang into action, his movements a blur of speed and precision. With a resounding cry, he unleashed the full power of his Eternal Flame. The flames danced and roared, consuming everything in their path as they surged towards the man. The intense heat washed over Knox, but he paid it no mind, focusing solely on his target. With each passing moment, the flames grew more intense, their intensity fueled by Knox's determination and resolve.

The flames erupted around him in a brilliant display of light and heat, engulfing the man in a blazing inferno. For a moment, the forest was illuminated with the intensity of their clash, the flames consuming everything in their path.

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, the flames subsided, leaving behind nothing but scorched earth and the faint scent of smoke. As Knox caught his breath, he surveyed the aftermath of their battle, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the enormity of what he had accomplished.

In the distance, he could see the charred remains of his opponent. His flesh melted and twisted beyond recognition. With a weary smile, Knox knew that he had emerged victorious.

As Knox struggled to regain his bearings amidst the aftermath of the brutal battle, he found himself consumed by waves of searing pain that threatened to overwhelm his senses. Every movement sent jolts of agony coursing through his body, each breath a struggle against the relentless ache that gnawed at his very core.

With his mana reserves depleted and his strength waning, Knox knew he was teetering on the brink of collapse. Desperation clawed at his consciousness as he fought to stave off the encroaching darkness, his mind a maelstrom of anguish and torment.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, Knox forced himself to focus on the task. With trembling hands, he reached deep within himself, drawing upon the last vestiges of his mana reserves to mend the most grievous of his injuries. The healing flame surged around him, knitting together torn flesh and shattered bone with an unbearable intensity that threatened to overwhelm his senses.

But even as the wounds began to close and the pain subsided, Knox found himself entangled in the grip of a different torment. It was not the physical agony that plagued him now but the insidious tendrils of despair and doubt that coiled around his mind like a vise.

The weight of his injuries bore down upon him like a leaden mantle, each ache and throb a reminder of the fragility of his body. And yet, even in the depths of his suffering, Knox refused to yield to despair. With grim determination, he pushed himself to his feet, his muscles screaming in protest as he forced his battered body to obey his commands.

Drawing upon the reservoir of strength within him, Knox tried to press onward, his spirit unbroken despite the trials ahead. For he knew that true strength was forged in the crucible of adversity, and he would emerge victorious only through perseverance and resolve.

And so, with a steely resolve burning in his eyes, Knox took his first tentative steps forward, his path illuminated by the flickering embers of his indomitable will. Though the road ahead was fraught with peril and uncertainty, he faced it with unwavering courage, knowing that with each step he took, he drew closer to his ultimate destiny. All the effort was for naught as he collapsed, darkness embracing him.