"Is it live streaming already?...
...Yep, there's one viewer. Well, whoever you are—even if you're just a bot—thanks for spending your time, or I guess more accurately, your algorithm, to watch my livestream...
...Anyway, I already skipped the avatar creation and tutorial stuff since it would be boring to watch something as unexciting as that...
...So, I guess I should start with my first Raid, right?...
...Yeah!...
...Sigh, what the heck am I even doing? No one's going to watch this video anyway."
---
After Selene announced Luel's Devour Beast Class, the rest of his compatibility test results were uploaded to his character information.
Luel spent the next hour customizing the appearance of the Canine-type Half-Beast—his base avatar for the Moonlight Beast Orion. He gave it light gray fur, dog ears, a tail, and a rugged outfit complete with a jacket: a classic explorer look in an apocalyptic world.
Next up was the tutorial for the Orion Class's basic skills:
Orion Claw – A close-quarters combat skill that increases Strength.
Charge – Increases Speed and Strength.
Orion Fang – Another close-range attack and a Devour skill.
Howl – Heals and increases Vitality.
RAIDS ONLINE is a game where players don't need to craft or wield traditional weapons. After all, the avatars are Beasts—claws and fangs are their primary tools of survival.
Once the avatar creation and skill tutorial were complete, Selene guided Luel to the final step before his first Raid.
[Please choose which area you would like to Raid first, Lucent.]
A screen appeared in front of Luel, displaying the world map of RAIDS ONLINE, which matched exactly the world he knew—and the dark gray version of it looming behind the screen.
Thinking that the game might have accurately replicated the real world, Luel chose the area corresponding to his country.
[Thank you for choosing Area CC+63, Lucent... In a few seconds, you will be transported to a random location within Area CC+63.]
As Selene finished speaking, a circle of light lit up beneath Luel.
[Please do your best to devour the Ragnarok Beasts, Lucent.]
With those parting words, Luel's vision was swallowed by a blinding light. The next moment, he found himself standing on a wide, empty street, surrounded by ruined buildings beneath the cover of night.
---
"Right, I forgot to introduce myself... or my character...
...As you can see on your screen—if anyone is actually watching—I named my avatar Lucent. And yeah, judging by how he looks, you've probably figured out I belong to the Orion Class...
...Hmm, what else?...
...Oh! My starting Link Force is at 47 percent. I'm not sure, but that's probably pretty high for a noob like me, right?"
---
Link Force measures a player's current power. The higher the compatibility with any of the six Devour Beast Classes, the higher the starting Link Force—and the more Ragnarok Beasts a player devours, the higher that force becomes.
As Luel explored the ruined streets of Area CC+63, he finally encountered his first Ragnarok Beast.
[Rank D Ragnarok Beast – Codename: Red Hound.]
A two-meter-tall hound stood in the middle of the road, several meters away from the corner Luel had just turned. Its glowing red eyes, fangs, and claws clearly showed how it earned its codename—Red Hound.
Before Luel could react, the beast charged at him.
And Luel? He responded with the most basic human instinct when facing a wild predator.
"Of course I'm running for my life! So if anyone's watching—don't laugh!"
Luel had fought Rank E and D Ragnarok Beasts during the tutorial. But the suddenness of the encounter, paired with the eerie emptiness and the night's oppressive atmosphere, overwhelmed him with panic.
He ran—until he realized something: the Red Hound wasn't catching up. In fact, he was faster. Stronger.
With that realization, Luel stopped running.
Time to fight.
'Charge'
A silver aura surged around Luel's feet—Charge Skill activated, boosting his speed and strength.
He dashed forward to intercept the charging Red Hound and launched his next attack.
'Orion Claw'
A silver light surrounded his hands, forming glowing wolf-like claws—his strength peaking as he tore into the beast the moment it entered range.
The Red Hound collapsed, its body slashed open by deep wounds. Yet somehow, it clung to life. A dark aura seeped from its injuries as it tried to heal.
Luel didn't give it the chance.
'Orion Fang'
The silver light expanded, shaping into a massive wolf's head rising behind him—then lunging forward to devour the Red Hound, consuming every trace of the dark energy.
"I guess that wasn't too bad for my first Raid… right, Selene?"