Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 14]

I swung towards his chest, but he made no move to block, and instead brought his sword up for a downward slash instead. My eyes widened and I feinted my attack, blocking with both hands behind my shield instead.

The sword tore through it.

It stopped barely an inch from my face, buried halfway down my kite shield, even cutting slightly into my vambraces before it came to a halt. I released it and staggered back, and he flicked the offending item away. My shield… just like that? Sure, it wasn't the most incredible of things – but it was solid metal, and it had protected me even against Merlot's tentacles. What kind of monster was this to tear through it so easily?

—Forged Destiny [Book 3: Ch. 14]