Different from how its name is told in the legend—about a man who escapes his prison by flying over its walls using wings made of wax and feathers, only to soar too close to the sun, burn his wings, and fall to his death—the Ragnarok Beast soaring through the night sky will not fall to its death.
If there's one thing it has in common with the man from that legend, and the reason it bears his name, it's this: the moment it dives toward the ground, its wings ignite—setting its entire body ablaze.
—SCREEEECHHHH!!!—
"...Incoming!!!..."
"Take cover, everyone!"
—BOOOOMMMMM!!!—
When the Ragnarok Beast crashes into the ground, the fire engulfing its body erupts outward, turning it into a living surge of flame that consumes everything in its path.
[Rank B Ragnarok Beast — Codename: Icarus]
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"Whirlpool'
'Foxfire'
'Sprite'
Of the six classes of Devour Beasts, only three have ways to defend against the rapidly expanding inferno.
Players aligned with the Azure Beast Asherah cast their Whirlpool Skill, summoning a swirling wave of water to shield themselves and others nearby.
Those from the Nine-Tailed Beast Fiamma cast Foxfire, fighting flame with flame to protect the players behind them.
Lastly, players of the Vermilion Beast Aurora unleash Sprite, emitting a vermilion burst of light that disintegrates everything they deem hostile—including the fire swallowing their surroundings.
"Tsk! This doesn't change the fact that you're the reason Icarus is here, BlueB!"
"I know! So stop barking, PoodlePup!"
Using her Sprite Skill, BlueHeroine shields SilverPup, Luel, and everyone near her from the bloodstained-colored flames of Icarus.
When the flames fade, Luel sees the source: the Rank B Ragnarok Beast has incinerated every player where it landed—and every unlucky soul who failed to take cover.
Despite BlueHeroine's earlier comment, Icarus looks far less like a bird and far more like a massive, prehistoric pterodactyl. Standing 16 meters tall, with a wingspan over 30 meters, it appears even larger than the Rank A Ragnarok Beast Cerberus.
—SCREEEECHHHH!!!—
Icarus's cry sends a deafening screech into the players' ears, shaking the weak-hearted to their core.
"Everyone, spread out! Run! Escape in different directions! We're calling this Boss Raid off!"
SilverPup takes command, canceling the raid on Cerberus and ordering a full retreat.
It's the right call. Even without Cerberus showing up, no one present could defeat a Rank A—or even Rank B—Ragnarok Beast.
The average Link Force of the Orion Guild players, including Luel, is only 30 to 40 percent. Even with over a hundred of them working together at full strength, they wouldn't stand a chance against Icarus.
"Hey! That featherless, flaming bird is here because of you! So deal with your stalker, BlueB!"
"I said, I know! So shut up, PoodlePup!"
'Aurora Wings'
Admitting her responsibility, BlueHeroine activates Aurora Wings, spreading her elegant blue wings and soaring skyward to lure Icarus away.
Icarus follows her with its gaze, but it doesn't take flight. Instead, it ignites its wings again—spreading more fire across the ground with every beat.
"What the hell are you doing, BlueB? Lead your stalker away already!"
"Don't ignore me, you flaming pigeon!"
'Aurora Light'
To force Icarus's attention, BlueHeroine activates her Devour Skill, bathing herself in a vermilion aura before diving straight at the beast.
—BOOOOMMMMM!!!—
The impact of her Aurora Light creates a dazzling explosion of multicolored lights—briefly rekindling hope in the eyes of the overwhelmed players.
But that hope is short-lived.
—SCREEEECHHHH!!!—
Icarus remains unscathed—completely unaffected by her attack.
BlueHeroine's current Link Force is 35 percent—nowhere near enough to injure a Rank B Ragnarok Beast, let alone defeat it.
'Halo'
She activates her Halo Skill, releasing a radiant vermilion ring that sweeps across the air, crashing into Icarus and surrounding buildings—causing debris to rain down like meteors.
—BAAAMMMM!!!—
"HEY! Are you trying to bury us alive, AHole?!"
"Then get everyone out of here, PoopPup!"
"You B! ...Everyone, retreat! Unit One, protect Lucent at all costs! Make sure he doesn't die!"
Luel feels a rare flicker of appreciation for SilverPup's concern. Their deal didn't include protecting him—but SilverPup knows that if Luel dies and loses Link Force, their ability to fight and study Cerberus will be compromised.
Luel and the thirty remaining members of Orion Guild's Unit One flee in the opposite direction of Icarus and BlueHeroine. But before they can get far...
—ROOOAAARRRRR!!!—
...the main guest of the night finally arrives.
A shadow dashing through the darkness with terrifying speed, Cerberus intercepts their escape.
Before anyone can react, the Rank A Ragnarok Beast dives in and snatches a dozen players—including Luel—in its three jaws.
—ARRGHHHH!!!—
Luel and the others scream in agony as Cerberus closes its maws, driving its fangs deep into their bodies.
"Lucent!!!"
SilverPup's scream is the last thing Luel hears before being hurled into the air and swallowed whole.
[Player Lucent has died.]