Red-Haired's slash was not especially fast, but its angle was vicious. It came just as Werther's kick left him off balance.
The Cutlass traced a watery streak through the air as it swept toward Werther's neck with unstoppable force.
If Red-Haired's blade struck home, Werther would be badly wounded even if he somehow survived.
At that critical instant, Werther's pupils turned azure. He activated Overclock, accelerating his neural responses.
His mind raced as he assessed the situation. It was too late to block with Intent Blood, but dodging would be difficult too.
A savage glint flashed in Werther's eyes. Instead of dealing with Red-Haired's slash, he drove Intent Blood toward his jaw, intent on taking him down with him.
If Red-Haired failed to dodge, Intent Blood would pierce straight into his brain.
And who was Red-Haired? A pirate who had sailed the seas for half his life, one who had been aboard Roger's ship since his teens. He was no coward afraid of death.
When two ruthless men went all out, they could easily end up killing each other.
Intent Blood thrust toward Red-Haired's jaw, while Red-Haired's Cutlass was already sweeping toward Werther's neck.
Squelch. Blood sprayed as Werther and Red-Haired both staggered back several steps.
Red-Haired's slash cut through nearly half of Werther's throat. But before the blade struck, Werther had gathered a massive charge of lightning around his body, then sent it coursing into Red-Haired's Cutlass.
At the last moment, Red-Haired's body went numb. His technique was interrupted before he could cut the water from Werther's body.
Werther's wound was serious, but Red-Haired was in no better shape. Intent Blood had pierced his jaw. Red-Haired had managed to turn his head just enough to keep the blade from entering his brain; it had come out behind his ear