"Hey guys, sorry I'm late!" Mike greeted in all smiles. His set of white teeth was perfect without fault. He was still the same. Dawned in an expensive Louie Vuitton shirt and jacket and Yeezy sneaker paired with an expensive Rolex watch, Mike was eye-catching with his good looks and wallet.
"This is Scar, by the way. He's a childhood friend of mine and like a big brother to me. He just got back from his study in Zone A District 1," said Mike, the soonest as he and Scar took their seat.
Everyone exchanged greetings and pleasantries before Scar said in a generous tone, "order all you want. My treat."
"Eh?" Leonel whipped his head in Scar's direction, eyes shining. "Really? Then don't mind if I do!"
Leonel was grinning from ear to ear as he looked at the menu. Ren bet that he was just trolling around and would still order the most expensive food on the list.
Ren and Leonel both didn't understand Italian and French, after all. They were just here because Saya and Mike would treat them to lunch.
Ren also chose the most expensive meal out of the set. There was no need to be modest if the other party offered his generosity and goodwill.
As they waited for their order, everyone engaged in small talk except for Ren, who occasionally answered with a yes and no since he was mostly studying and thinking about what Scar was doing in their supposed to be a friends-only reunion.
Scar's voice was deep, and his face was serious that occasionally cracked with a smile. He had beads of clean-cut black hair, and the line of his face was hard and intimidating. He was refined-looking, and not a wrinkle was present on his neatly pressed polo and jeans.
Ren knew him well in the game—a strict player who demanded excellence from both himself and others. As the leader of Black Lion, Scar primarily handled the guild's internal affairs, ensuring everything ran with efficiency.
Black Lions were known for their sky-high recruitment standards, accepting only rare classes or professional players. Occasionally, they made exceptions for those who possessed rare or legendary items, weapons, or equipment—like Saya and Mike, who had managed to join the guild in the past thanks to his help.
"Big Bro Scar is actually a pro gamer in a game called War of Guilds together with his friends, and they wanted to put up a guild in the new game COVENANT," Mike said. His high-pitched tone gave away how excited he was.
Ren knew Mike to be a gamer but didn't have the skills or patience to become a pro.
"I heard from Mike that you're just starting out," Scar said. "We're currently looking for players willing to take on rare classes—Necrolyte and Chrono Mage. Mike's dead set on becoming a Swordsman, and Saya wants to be a Healer to support her boyfriend."
Scar grinned and shook his head lightly. "Honestly, those roles are already taken by some of my friends. We're aiming for diversity within the guild, and we've set specific rules for all incoming applicants."
He leaned back slightly, his tone easing. "But since Mike and I go way back, I'm willing to make an exception—for him. If you two are willing to recreate your accounts, change your race and class, I'll take all four of you into Black Lion. Even if you've never joined a guild before or lack professional experience."
Ren and Leonel looked at each other.
SO this is what happened. Ren thought. Mike and Saya didn't get to enter because Leonel must have declined to change his race and class. Leonel was set in becoming a dwarf. And in the past, he wasn't even playing the game until the in-game currency was introduced.
Come to think of it. Ren did recall that there was a time when Mike said that he would buy him a pod in exchange, he would become a Necrolyt.
Ren had ignored the offer back then—he was too busy juggling multiple jobs and his studies. He simply didn't have the luxury of wasting time on a game.
Was that the reason why their relationship went sour in the first place?
Was that it?
Because he didn't follow his order?
The more he thought about it, the angrier Ren became, and the awful memories he was trying to suppress were resurfacing in his mind.
Mike shifted his eyes between Ren and Leonel with a big grin on his face. "Don't worry, big brother Scar. I'm sure Ren and Leonel would agree. Right? Right guys?"
Leonel scratched his cheek, eyes hovering over the ceiling. "I don't know . . . If I can't play as a dwarf, I'd rather not play at all."
"Leo, I think playing an awesome rare class like a Necrolyt or a Chrono mage is much cooler than a dwarf. And . . . I'll buy you a pod," entice Mike before shifting his eyes on Ren. "I'll buy you two a pod."
Scar nodded in agreement. "I think it's an awesome trade. You two will have a new pod and play a rare class, AND . . . you can even join our guild of pro players and rip so many benefits. Like monthly allowance, for example."
Leonel's eyes shone when he heard that money was involved, and his constipated face told Ren that he was really thinking about the idea.
The rumors regarding Scar were indeed true. Ren thought. He was a man who was overflowing with confidence and charisma, and he was never one to mince words. In fact, too much to the point of being annoying.
"The offer is tempting, but I like my race and class as it is now," said Ren with a solemn face and voice.
Leonel glanced at Ren before nodding. "I . . . I like my race and class too. As tempting as the money sounds, I still want to play as a dwarf. I don't think I'd enjoy the game if I had to be anything else anyway."
Mike was stunned for a whole minute before he burst out, "What are you two talking about? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Brother Scar said that there are rumors of an in-game currency later in the game. Do you know what that means? Real money and opportunities!
"It's like the game's going to become a second world once the money starts rolling in. Every powerhouse will want to dominate it through their guilds. Do you really want to miss the chance to be part of one of the top guilds in the future? With Brother Scar leading, it's guaranteed!"
Ren didn't flinch, even as Mike caught his breath after his long speech.
"Even so," Ren said calmly, "I still want to keep my current race and class."
Mike's mouth fell open, his smile fading. His tone sharpened, the edge of irritation slipping through."Ren, this is exactly why you'll never excel. You never take the initiative to grab life-changing opportunities right in front of you. You can't see what's ahead—that's why you're stuck where you are."
Ren wanted to laugh because he already knew the future. And he had a much larger plan for himself. He didn't need someone to dictate him which path he should take.
"Life-changing? If it's really that life-changing, then why don't you do it?" Ren shot back, then turned his gaze toward Scar.
"And you—why don't your pro friends take those so-called rare classes if they're so amazing? Instead, you're trying to shove them down our throats in exchange for a spot in your guild. Let me guess—an errand boy position until we somehow evolve into a Necrolyte or Chrono Mage. And if that never happens, we'd stay errand boys forever, right?"
Mike and Saya's jaws drop.
Scar's eyelid twitched.
Leonel choked on his drink.