Someone who can't trust the words of others, who only sees lies and deception—believing that everyone is out for themselves. And yet, he still wants to believe in the kindness of those around him.
That is the person Luel has become—and the person he's striving to change as he tries to do better.
---
As Luel stares, overwhelmed by the sight of a Dark Gray World, a voice calls out from behind him.
[Welcome to RAIDS ONLINE, dearest player.]
Turning around, Luel sees a young girl dressed in sleek black attire—a coat, miniskirt, and high boots. Her outfit, shimmering with a dark luster, contrasts sharply with her fair skin and strikingly beautiful face. Her short, silver hair gleams faintly under the game's light.
[I'm Selene, the support NPC of RAIDS ONLINE.]
To Luel, she looks like the reincarnation and personification of an idol. Selene gives him a kind smile—one that makes him believe, just for a moment, in the goodness of humanity once again.
[Please kindly introduce yourself, dearest player.]
As Luel begins to fantasize about a grand adventure with this charming NPC idol, a screen appears in front of him.
Selene, with a gentle expression uncharacteristic of a typical NPC, prompts him for his name.
[Please enter your character name.]
"Oh, right... So that's what you're asking..."
Disappointed by the reminder that Selene is, after all, just an NPC, Luel turns his attention to choosing a name.
His real name is off the table. Since he's planning to livestream his gameplay as a way to reintegrate into society, using his actual name would be too embarrassing—especially if someone he knows stumbles upon it. He's trying to rebuild his confidence, but he's not ready for that level of exposure yet.
How about his family name? No, that's too unique and would draw unwanted attention. Then maybe a combination of his first and last names—Siel. But that sounds too much like a girl's name. So, that's out too.
He considers inspirations:
His favorite colors—Purple and White.
His fluffy hair.
His family's dog—Lambo.
His family's cat—Pot'Cholo.
Even his favorite kitchen appliance—Blender-kun.
An hour passes as he debates with the imaginary Council of Luel in his mind, eventually settling on the name ClooverLeaf. But just as he's about to type it in, a wave of secondhand embarrassment hits him.
Too cringe.
In the end, he settles on something simpler—Lucent. A name that means a beacon of light in the darkness... or perhaps even the moon itself.
[It is nice to finally know your name, Lucent.]
Selene smiles again—a smile as radiant as a guiding light—as she speaks the name he made up in seconds, effectively wasting the hour he spent trying to find the perfect one.
[The next step is to determine which Devour Beast Class you're compatible with, Lucent.]
She begins to explain the compatibility test.
In RAIDS ONLINE, there are six Devour Classes:
White Beast Alpha — Dominates the Land.
Azure Beast Asherah — Controls the Ocean Waters.
Vermilion Beast Aurora — Soars freely in the Sky.
Lightning Beast Saber — A blade of lightning that can cut anything it judges worthy.
Nine-Tailed Beast Fiamma — Wields flames capable of reducing all to ash.
Moonlight Beast Orion — Blessed by the Moon, excelling in healing, strength, and speed.
After hearing the descriptions, Luel already knows which one he wants.
Moonlight Beast Orion. Not just because it's powerful, but because it feels connected to Selene. After all, her name evokes the Goddess of the Moon—or at least, that's what every player who falls for her at first sight believes.
However…
[You can't choose your Devour Class, Lucent. It will be decided by a compatibility test conducted by the VR Gear you're wearing in real life.]
That harsh truth drops Luel to his knees.
The VR Gear—a full-dive headset he's wearing while his body sleeps—scans his body and brain to determine which class best fits him.
If he had the choice, he would absolutely choose Moonlight Beast Orion, mostly because it feels closest to Selene.
—Ding!—
A notification chimes, echoing through the environment. The test is complete.
Selene announces the results in her warm, soothing voice.
[Congratulations, Lucent. Your compatibility test shows that you belong to the Moonlight Beast Orion Class.]
"YEAH!"
For the first time in a long while, Luel shouts in joy. The odds are finally in his favor—thanks, he believes, to his new idol, Selene.
Or so he thinks...
Until he learns the other details of his compatibility test—details that will soon plunge him into hardship and despair in the days ahead within RAIDS ONLINE.