The laser fired.
A blinding beam tore through space, streaking straight toward Blizzard Zero.
Cheers erupted.
"That's the Bald Eagle's laser main gun!"
"That shot alone is enough to cripple a cruiser!"
"Let's see how long that scrap heap lasts!"
Zhao Wan'er clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
"If he's hit at this distance…" Su Lan murmured, eyes fixed on the screen. "At best, severe damage. If he surrenders immediately, he might still be safe."
Zhao Wan'er swallowed hard.
Brother… don't be stubborn.
Then—
The impossible happened.
Blizzard Zero veered sharply to starboard.
Its speed indicator spiked.
40 knots… 60… 80.
In less than three seconds, the ship traced a smooth arc around the Bald Eagle's firing line.
The laser burned past its stern, missing by a hair's breadth.
Silence.
Then the duel zone exploded.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Eighty knots?!"
"That has to be a malfunction—there's no way!"
"The Bald Eagle tops out at sixty-five!"
Even the referee mentors stiffened.
Zhao Wan'er stared at the screen, lips parted. "…Eighty knots?"
Su Lan's eyes narrowed, sharp with focus.
Blizzard Zero didn't stop.
It swung back in, engines howling.
85… 90… 95…
The number kept climbing.
Until it locked.
100 knots.
A collective gasp swept through the spectators.
"That's impossible…"
"A T2 ship… at one hundred knots?"
"How did he do it?"
Zhao Chen barely heard the uproar.
On the bridge, his breathing was quick, controlled.
The system replayed the trajectory—if they had been even one second slower, the laser would have struck.
They had walked the edge of death.
Zhao Chen grinned.
"Courtesy received," he said. "Now we return the favor.
"Charlotte—show them our cannon."
"Target locked," Charlotte said calmly. "Maintain maximum speed.
"Begin charging the T2 Heavy 1200mm Devil Crocodile Cannon."
"Charging sequence initiated."
"Ten seconds."
A section of Blizzard Zero's bow split open.
Heavy armor plates slid aside.
From the darkness emerged a massive black barrel.
The audience rose as one.
"That… that cannon—"
A middle-aged instructor stood abruptly. "That's the Devil Crocodile's bow gun!
"The 1200mm main cannon of a T2 interstellar battleship!"
The chief referee barked, "Pull up this student's exchange records. Now."
Seconds later, the data flashed.
"T2 Gray Wolf… T2 Devil Crocodile… T2 Hyena…"
Realization hit.
"He dismantled three ships," the referee whispered. "And mounted the Devil Crocodile's main gun onto a cruiser-class frame…"
Shock rippled outward.
"Oh my god… that cannon can punch through any T2 hull!"
"That caliber is normally reserved for T3 designs!"
"It was discontinued because the platform couldn't handle it!"
Su Lan inhaled sharply. "Wan'er… did you know he installed that?"
Zhao Wan'er shook her head numbly. "I… didn't."
Xue Xiaoxiao bounced in place, eyes shining. "Giant cannon! I love giant cannons!"
Su Lan rubbed her temples.
On Blizzard Zero's bridge.
"Seven seconds," Charlotte reported.
Zhao Chen stood, one foot braced against the captain's chair, pointing forward.
"Fire when ready."
The countdown ticked.
Five.
Four.
Three.
The storm had turned.
And the Bald Eagle was still flying straight toward it.