Gerald blinked. When he noticed Leonel wouldn't part with the shield, he huffed a condescending laugh. "Good luck with that."

Gerald then returned to the group like nothing had happened, smiling and making small talk with the others while he pulled someone to the side and secretly whispered something in his ears while their eyes were glued on Leonel.

When Leonel returned to the group, a core member blocked his way and said, "Sorry, the main attacking unit is full, so you have to go to the supporting unit."

At the side, Gerald was secretly peeking at Leonel. He planned to give Leonel a hard time, so he would have no option but to give him the shield.

Gerald saw Leonel together with Mike a while ago, and he got wind that Mike really wanted to enter Black Lion so much so that he paid a guy just to become a classless mage so that he could enter. Under special probation, of course.

A special probation meant that no matter how Mike and Saya performed on the raid, they would still remain on probation until Roz got a rare class. In short, they were like a guest in Black Lion. They couldn't get anything from Black Lion, but in turn, they could stay in the guild no matter if their performance was lacking.

Couldn't blame him. Gerald thought. Who wouldn't want to enter Black Lion?

And Gerald was convinced that Leonel was the same.

However, contrary to his expectations Leonel just happily went over to Mike and the others with a wide grin on his face. Like nothing negative could affect him. And for some reason, this tick Gerald and his desire to make Leonel bend his knees sore even more.

Even though they were amiable and kind on the outside, inside, all of them didn't want to lose. And right now, Gerald would have that shield – one way or another.

A firstblood drop like that was one of a kind, and having that shield would significantly put him above from the others. Not to mention that it would make his life easier in the game at this point in time.

At the side, Mike asked Leonel what happened, and Leonel answered straight away without a care.

"That Gerald wanted to take my shield and said that he would give me a spot in Black Lion."

Mike's eyes bulged, and his jealousy surged. "What did you say?" Could Leonel have a regular position before he could? Leonel? Why him? Just because of a shield? Was the shield that valuable?

Leonel scratched his head. "I said I don't want to part with it."

Mike closed his eyes in relief. Good thing that Leonel was an idiot. He then patted Leonel on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll become regular members soon enough."

Leonel only shrugged before a core member went to their group and said, eyes plastered on Leonel's face.

"Sorry, but our main and supporting units are full. Vice Commander Gerald said that your group will have to stay here and wait for another raid."

"Huh?" Mike frowned. "What do you mean full?"

"Vice Commander Gerald said that there were unexpected players who joined in the last minute, and since their GS were high, they were given priority."

"But . . ." Saya butt in, "We specifically received an invitation to this raid."

The core member just shook his head. "I'm sorry. But if you have any complaints, go talk to the Vice commander. I'm just relaying the message."

When the core member left, Mike, Saya, and Roz looked at Leonel in the eyes.

"What did you do?"

Leonel tilted his head. "Huh?"

"It's obvious that Vice Commander Gerald is making it hard for you," sneered Mike. He was happy that Gerald wasn't favoring Leonel, but now Gerald was also making it hard for him because he was together with the man.

Leonel scratched his cheek. "I think it's because I didn't give him my shield."

Mike wanted to open his mouth but shut it tight again when he thought of something. He didn't wish to Leonel to have a spot in the guild before he did, so talking to Leonel to give that shield to Gerald was out of the question. But he also didn't want to be in the eerie of Gerald.

"I'll talk to him," Mike said instead and went to Gerald.

Saya smiled at Leonel with assurance. "Don't worry, Leo. I'm sure Mike would fix things."

Leonel bit his bottom lip, and his smile disappeared. Just because of a shield? And he thought that a guild was fun, but it seemed that it was just a mini-government where the power lies in the hands of those in position while the regular people could do nothing but obey with gritted teeth.

And now, Mike, Saya, and Roz were implicated because of him.

Leonel sighed. It suddenly felt suffocating.

Leonel made a decision to give up the shield so the others wouldn't have a hard time anymore. It was just a piece of equipment. He could find one again. Besides, his friends were more important.

However, when Mike came back, his face was light, like everything was resolved.

"What happened? Did they agree to let us in?" Saya immediately inquired.

Mike nodded.

Saya beamed. "That's a relief. It's just so few of us, so they can surely squeeze a little more."

Roz didn't give any word since he was an outsider in the circle of friends. All he had to do was find a rare class and serve Black Lion after that. That was the deal--his contract.

Leonel was also ecstatic that everything was okay now. He didn't have to part with his shield anymore. Way to go, Mike!

However, after Mike and Saya finished talking, the former couldn't look Leonel in the eyes and said, "Leo, I'm sorry. I couldn't convince Gerald to let you in with the raid."

". . ."

"You're invited to Black Lion's group chat, right?" Mike continued at everyone's silence, "You can ask there for any available raid. Or you can directly message Invayne and ask her if there's another dungeon exploration near here."

"Eh . . ." Saya was confused before she gazed over at Leonel and Mike. "Does that mean . . . Leonel couldn't come with us?"