The moment the ships collided, everything became noise and motion.
Wood groaned under pressure.
Metal screamed against metal.
Waves slammed both hulls like the sea itself was trying to force the battle apart.
Kevin didn't hesitate.
The instant impact stabilized enough for footing—
He moved.
He stepped across the broken edge of the deck onto the enemy ship.
Sword already drawn.
Carina stayed on their ship for half a second longer, gripping a rope as the vessels rocked apart slightly.
"…You really went straight in…"
Kevin didn't look back.
"…Maintain ship stability."
That was her role.
She understood immediately.
The enemy captain stood waiting on his own deck.
Armored coat shifting in the wind.
Blade already raised.
His expression was no longer calm observation.
Now it was focus.
"…So you finally step forward yourself."
Kevin answered simply.
"…End of delay."
The first clash happened instantly.
Steel met steel with a sharp crack.
No hesitation.
No testing.
Just intent.
The force pushed both of them back half a step.
Then they returned immediately.
Carina watched from the edge of the ship, eyes wide.
"…That guy is strong…"
Kevin didn't respond.
He was already reading movement patterns.
The enemy captain struck again.
Faster this time.
Heavier downward arc.
Designed to break guard structure.
Kevin deflected.
Twisted.
Countered.
Not overpowering.
Precise.
Efficient.
On the sea below, the ships drifted apart slightly again.
The battle between vessels continued separately.
Cannons fired sporadically.
But coordination was gone now.
The fight had shifted fully into chaos.
Carina moved quickly along the deck.
Pulling ropes.
Adjusting sail tension.
Keeping their ship from drifting too far away from Kevin's position.
"…Stay close… stay close…"
On the enemy ship, the captain smiled slightly mid-fight.
"…You're not relying on brute strength."
Kevin replied without emotion.
"…Efficiency is enough."
Steel clashed again.
This time faster.
More aggressive.
The enemy captain pressed forward relentlessly.
Kevin blocked.
Then shifted sideways.
Created angle.
And struck back.
A clean cut landed across the captain's shoulder armor.
Not deep.
But enough to register.
The captain stepped back slightly.
"…Good."
Carina saw it.
"…He hit him!"
But Kevin didn't pursue immediately.
He adjusted stance instead.
Because he noticed something.
The enemy captain was smiling.
Not retreating.
Not panicking.
Preparing.
"…He's adapting."
The captain lowered his blade slightly.
"…You think control wins fights."
He stepped forward again.
"…But pressure decides them."
Suddenly—
His movement changed.
He stopped trading technique.
And started overwhelming.
Heavy strikes.
Repeated pressure.
Less precision.
More force.
Kevin was forced into defense.
Step back.
Block.
Redirect.
Carina's eyes widened.
"…He changed style!"
Kevin replied quietly.
"…He switched phase."
The captain pushed harder.
Each strike heavier than the last.
Deck boards cracked under foot pressure.
Kevin blocked again—
But was pushed half a step back.
Carina gritted her teeth.
"…Kevin's getting pushed back…"
On their ship, the hull shook again as nearby cannon fire resumed from drifting escort ships.
One had regained partial control.
Carina moved instantly.
"…No, not now—!"
She grabbed a damaged rope line and used it to stabilize sail angle.
Redirecting wind pressure.
Keeping the ship from drifting too far.
"…Stay steady… just stay steady…"
Back on the enemy ship—
Kevin finally adjusted.
He stopped reacting defensively.
And shifted forward.
"…Enough."
He stepped into the captain's next strike instead of away from it.
Blade met blade mid-motion.
Then—
Kevin twisted.
Used the enemy's momentum.
And drove a clean strike into the captain's side armor gap.
The captain staggered slightly.
"…Tch…"
For the first time—
He broke rhythm.
Carina saw it clearly.
"…He broke his balance!"
Kevin didn't stop.
He pressed forward.
Not wildly.
But decisively.
Strike.
Deflect.
Step.
Strike.
Controlled acceleration of pressure.
The captain retreated a half-step.
Then steadied himself.
Breathing heavier now.
"…So that's your style."
Kevin replied.
"…You adapted too slowly."
The captain tightened his grip.
Then glanced briefly at the sea.
At his own broken formation.
At his drifting ships.
"…This was supposed to be a controlled hunt."
He looked back at Kevin.
"…Not a dismantling."
Kevin raised his blade slightly.
"…You lost control early."
Silence.
Just wind.
Just sea.
Just broken coordination around them.
Then—
The captain smiled again.
"…Then let's end it properly."
He stepped forward.
But now slower.
Deliberate.
Final phase intent.
Kevin adjusted stance.
Eyes narrowing slightly.
Carina held her breath on the other ship.
"…This is it…"
The duel entered its final exchange phase