Due to the second swarm of Ragnarok Beasts, which includes Rank C Basilisk and Rank D Cockatrice, that has come from the north, 25 percent of all the players that have gathered for the Boss Raid have been defeated and killed, both from the players of Orion Guild and the group of Thrash Mods.
However, with the combined maximum efforts of all the players, the two swarms of Ragnarok Beasts that got attracted by the gathering of hundreds of players for the Boss Raid against Cerberus have been completely wiped out.
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With all the Rank D Ragnarok Beasts that Luel defeated and devoured, he was able to increase his Link Force back to 40 percent.
"Only 3 percent..."
Luel defeated and devoured a total of 21 Rank D Ragnarok Beasts, both Werewolves, Weretigers, and Werebears, even a few Cockatrices but only managed to get back 3 percent of Link Force that he lost after being killed by Cerberus.
It was a bit depressing. Not to mention that Luel is surely to lose more of his Link Force due to his agreement with the Orion Guild and SilverPup to act as bait for the Boss Raid against Cerberus until the Rank A Ragnarok Beast loses interest in him and stops hunting him for good.
Putting aside his grave that he might have just dug on his own, Luel has another thing at hand to deal with.
The fact that Luel distrusts people hasn't changed. He doesn't even trust SliverPup and only accepts their agreement to have a way to deal with Cerberus. However, thanking someone who has spent effort to help and save him, regardless of whether they have hidden motives and intentions, is a manner that Leul hasn't lost yet or, rather, is still holding onto.
The player, who belongs to the Aurora Devour Class and saved Luel earlier, has already retracted its wings, making its appearance the same as a normal human. But still, even without the blue-colored wings, Luel was able to recognize the ragged hooded robe that the person who saved him was wearing.
Luel approaches the player wearing the ragged hooded robe and tries to offer his gratitude.
"Hey,... Umm... thanks for saving me back then... I guess..."
Those are the awkward words that Luel can muster with his shattered confidence when talking to people he first meets. He didn't even know if he should offer his hand for a handshake or just wave it casually to show that he didn't mean any hostility.
...What do I use to do in this kind of situation?...
While that thought is running repeatedly on Luel's mind with his brain doing a lagging search of his history and experience on his past jobs on how to deal with new clients which he rather forget, the player Luel is trying to talk to turn around and walk away from him without saying anything or showing a response to acknowledge Luel's gratitude.
Luel's expression turned dreadful as his shattered confidence was pounded to powder upon being ignored.
The ragged hooded robe player continues to walk away from Luel until SilverPup blocks the player's way.
"Hey!... Why don't you remove that stupid disguise and show everyone who you are..."
SilverPup became aggressive with her words and the glare in her eyes shows hostility along with the will to fight. Yet, the ragged hooded robe player still decided to ignore SilverPup's demand and walk past her. However...
"Do you think I won't recognize you after showing that blue-colored wings of yours!"
SilverPup grabbed the ragged hooded robe and tore it apart, revealing the female player wearing ragged black clothes that compliment her calm and sharp expression along with her long straight blue hair that has the exact color and elegance of her wings.
...Hey, isn't that her?...
...Yeah, that's her...
...That's BlueHeroine...
...Another player with a high-starting Link Force is here...
...Wait, is that why there were two swarms of Ragnarok Beasts tonight?...
...Yep, that's probably why...
...If that's true, then...
...Yup, we're faq...
...We're definitely faq...
The chattering of all the other players is interesting and has answered most of Luel's questions he wanted to ask. However, the argument between SilverPup and the player, BlueHeroine, is much more intriguing for Luel and more entertaining for the others.
"I know... I just said earlier that the only rule in an open-world VRMMORPG is to survive... I can't complain if you want to be here, but why exactly are you here, BlueB*?"
...WOAHHH!!!...
BlueHeroine calm and sharp look began to display annoyance after hearing SilverPup use the B* word for her avatar name. With an irritated voice, BlueHeroine talks back to SilvePup.
"At least learn the etiquette to call someone's avatar name, PoodlePup."
...WOAHHH!!!...
"You!... Fine!... I'm gonna get down to your level, B*W*."
Now SilverPup uses the B* word and W* word together.
...WOAHHH!!!...
Everyone is expecting BlueHeroine to become more aggressive, yet her sharp and calm look remains.
"Ehhh?... I didn't know that there's a lower level than a FlatBoard."
With that final remark, BlueHeroine crosses her arm under her breasts, making a striking post and emphasizing that hers is much bigger than SilverPup.
Although, for Luel who was watching the argument between the two, both of their sizes didn't differ from each other. They both have slender body figures, which is much more of Luel's concern. Except for the fact that in Luel's mind, SilverPup is a gender bender.
"That's it!... I'm gonna devour you B*!"
"Let's see you try, Washboard!"
...Orion's Fangs! / Aurora's Light!...
SilverPup and BlueHeroine activate the Devour Skill of their classes and take their stance to fight. But before they could move from where they were standing, the other players from Orion Guild grabbed and restrained SilverPup, and other female players did the same to BlueHeroine.
Unable to have a brawl like what they wanted, SilverPup and BlueHeroine continue backlashing at each other.
"Why are you here, LoserHeroine?... Are you planning to mess with my Raid like before?"
"For your information, WeaklingPup... I'm here as an Officer of RAIDS ONLINE."
...What?!!!...
The chattering of the other players suddenly stops with BlueHeroine's declaration.
"Fine!... Prove it."
To answer SilverPup's demand, a holographic screen appears in front of BlueHeroine, showing everyone her I.D. as an Officer of RAIDS ONLINE.
"Tsk!... What's wrong with the game developers?... Why would they hire someone like you?... And why would they send someone with a record like you?"
Every other player understood what SilverPup meant, leaving only Luel to be the clueless one. That's why even though Luel is hesitating to interrupt the argument between SilverPup and BlueHeroine, he resolves himself to speak and break the argument.
"SilverPup... Can you at least explain what's happening?"
SilverPup turns her head to look at Luel with her still glaring eyes and explains the only thing that Luel needs to understand.
"Listen, Lucent... B*B* here has a record!"
"Record?... Like criminal record?... Like player killing or something?"
"No!... She has a record like you, Lucent!... A record of being hunted by a high-ranking Ragnarok Beast."
Every other player nods their head as Luel asks for confirmation of what SilverPup said about BlueHeroine, which leads to one conclusion that Luel was able to come up with.
"Then that means, another high-ranking..."
"That won't happen."
BlueHeroine cut off Luel's words before he could finish speaking.
"After all, that freaking bird has already stopped hunting me more than a year ago."
But as if like they have jinxed themselves, like if you talk about something then it's definitely gonna happen...
...SCREECHHHH!!!...
A screeching sound echoes within the night sky, making everyone look above as if to welcome its intrusion.
"Just look at that... I guess a year is long enough for your stalker to miss you, B*B*."
"That, freaking bird."
...SCREECHHHH!!!..
...INCOMING!!!...
"Take cover, everyone!"
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PuroShark Writer's Note.
Here is the character concept design for BlueHeroine. Look at the comment.