Due to the second swarm of Ragnarok Beasts—consisting of Rank C Basilisks and Rank D Cockatrices—that came from the north, 25 percent of the players gathered for the Boss Raid were defeated and killed. This included members from both the Orion Guild and the Thrash Mods group.
However, thanks to the combined and maximum efforts of all players, the two swarms of Ragnarok Beasts—drawn by the mass gathering for the Boss Raid against Cerberus—were completely wiped out.
---
With all the Rank D Ragnarok Beasts Luel defeated and devoured, he managed to restore his Link Force back to 40 percent.
"Only 3 percent…"
Luel had slain and devoured a total of 21 Rank D Ragnarok Beasts—including Werewolves, Weretigers, Werebears, and even a few Cockatrices—yet only managed to regain 3 percent of the Link Force he lost after being killed by Cerberus.
It was a bit depressing. Not to mention the fact that Luel was sure to lose even more Link Force soon, thanks to his agreement with the Orion Guild to act as bait during the Boss Raid—until Cerberus, the Rank A Ragnarok Beast, finally lost interest in him and stopped hunting him for good.
Putting aside the grave he might've just dug for himself, Luel had another matter to deal with.
His distrust of people hadn't changed. He didn't even trust SilverPup—he had only accepted their agreement as a means to deal with Cerberus. Still, expressing thanks to someone who had saved him—even if they had hidden motives—was a manner Luel hadn't lost… or perhaps was still trying to hold onto.
The player who had saved him earlier, a member of the Aurora Devour Beast Class, had already retracted its wings, now appearing no different from a regular human. But even without the blue-colored wings, Luel immediately recognized the ragged hooded robe the player wore.
Luel walked toward the player, awkwardly attempting to show gratitude.
"Hey… Umm… thanks for saving me back then…"
Those were the only words Luel could muster, his confidence shattered when dealing with people he'd just met. He didn't even know if he should offer a handshake or just wave to signal he meant no hostility.
What did I used to do in situations like this?
While that thought ran loops in his head—his brain lagging like an old server trying to recall experience from past jobs he'd rather forget—the player turned around and walked away from him without saying a word.
Luel's expression turned dreadful. His already shattered confidence crumbled to powder after being ignored.
The ragged-robe player kept walking—until SilverPup stepped in to block the way.
"Hey! Why don't you drop the stupid disguise and show everyone who you really are?"
SilverPup's voice turned aggressive. Her glare radiated hostility and a readiness to fight. Still, the mysterious player continued walking, ignoring the demand.
However…
"You really think I wouldn't recognize those blue-colored wings of yours?"
SilverPup grabbed the hooded robe and tore it away—revealing a female player wearing tattered black clothing that accentuated her calm yet sharp expression, along with her long, straight blue hair—the exact same color and elegance as her wings.
"...Hey, isn't that her?..."
"...Yeah, that's her..."
"…That's BlueHeroine…"
"…Another high-Link Force player's here…"
"…Wait, is that why there were two swarms tonight?..."
"…Yup, probably…"
'…If that's true, then…"
"…Yup. We're faq..."
"…We're definitely faq..."
The surrounding players' chatter buzzed like wildfire—answering most of Luel's questions without needing to ask. But the tension between SilverPup and the newly revealed BlueHeroine was far more intriguing… and way more entertaining for the others.
"I know I said earlier that the only rule in an open-world VRMMORPG is to survive… and I can't complain if you're here. But why exactly are you here, BlueB?"
" ...WOAHHH!!!..."
BlueHeroine's calm, sharp demeanor cracked slightly with annoyance as SilverPup twisted her avatar name with the B-word. With a voice sharp as her stare, she replied:
"At least learn the etiquette of calling someone by their avatar name, PoodlePup."
"...WOAHHH!!!..."
"You!... Fine! Then I'll go down to your level, BW!"
Now she dropped both the B-word and the W-word.
" ...WOAHHH!!!..."
Everyone braced, expecting BlueHeroine to snap—but her cool composure remained.
"Ehhh? I didn't know there was a lower level than a FlatBoard."
With that final jab, BlueHeroine crossed her arms under her chest, emphasizing a well-endowed silhouette in contrast to SilverPup's.
To Luel, watching from the sidelines, both women looked the same in terms of figure—slender and fit. Not that it mattered to him. What did matter was the nagging suspicion in his head that SilverPup might be a gender-bender.
"That's it! I'm gonna devour you, B!"
"Let's see you try, Washboard!"
'Orion Fangs'
'Aurora Light'
SilverPup and BlueHeroine activated the Devour Skills of their respective classes, taking battle-ready stances. But before either could move, members of the Orion Guild restrained SilverPup—while female players jumped in to hold back BlueHeroine.
Unable to brawl, the two continued their verbal clash.
"Why are you here, LoserHeroine? Planning to mess up my raid again?"
"For your information, WeaklingPup… I'm here as an officer of RAIDS ONLINE."
"...WHAT?!..."
Everyone stopped talking.
"Fine! Prove it!"
In response to SilverPup's demand, a holographic screen appeared in front of BlueHeroine, revealing her I.D. as an official RAIDS ONLINE officer.
"Tch… What's wrong with the devs? Why would they hire you? Why send someone with your record?"
Everyone knew what SilverPup meant—except Luel. Which is why, despite his hesitation, he chose to speak up and interrupt.
"SilverPup… can you at least explain what's going on?"
Still glaring, SilverPup turned toward him and explained the one thing he needed to know.
"Listen, Lucent… BB here has a record."
"Record? Like, a criminal record? Player killing or something?"
"No… A record like you, Lucent. A record of being hunted by a high-ranking Ragnarok Beast."
The surrounding players nodded, confirming SilverPup's claim.
Luel quickly arrived at the only logical conclusion.
"Then… that means another high-ranking—"
"That won't happen," BlueHeroine cut in before he could finish. "That freaking bird stopped hunting me over a year ago."
But as if jinxing themselves—as if saying something guaranteed it would happen…
—SCREEEEECH!!!—
A shrill cry echoed from the night sky. Everyone instinctively looked up.
"Just look at that… I guess a year was long enough for your stalker to miss you, BB."
"That. Freaking. Bird."
—SCREEEEECH!!!—
"...Incoming!!!..."
"Take cover, everyone!"