Looting high level raids was more complicated than anyone had anticipated.

That is, anyone but Enrich.

Not wanting to complicate matters.

After every cleared floor, we would have members of the party, not combat oriented, simply scavenge whatever crafting supplies, or any miscellaneous loot that dropped.

When an elite dropped a weapon upgrade, Enrich had already created a graph and chart of who gets what.

Which Wizards needed the upgrades in damage or sustain.

Which Warriors desperately needed the health boosts in order to tank more efficiently.

The list continues...

This streamlined the whole process.

Everyone trusted one another.

So, no one impedes on one another's duty

This is camaraderie between raiders.

You listened to the one who knew and when it was your turn to embark orders, they were followed.

[Delvins Deeps] had been the first "official raid" we as a unified guild had completed.

With the types of rewards needed to running a raiding guild. The types of drops that would fill the daydreams of low level adventures.

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If only they had so and so...

Or... one day I'll have "insert legendary" instead of this common blade...

To be young and naive and pure...I thought to myself.

After everything was said and done, and with how see-saw the market currently was, (due to areas once being farmable, now being too dangerous, leaving those who once farmed said areas without work and the money to spend on better gear. While, those with capital were lampooning every opportunity at lower prices) we more than broke even.

All in all, the raid was profitable.

Just barely.

Or so, this is what I had made out in the debriefing meeting that began mid-day and was now creeping into night.

Just as I could feel it coming to a wrap.

As my ass grew numb.

And my feet stiff.

Enrich stood up

"And it wouldn't be such a close margin if we could find the rats who have been skinning off the top.

Thankfully, we haven't had any ninja-looters."

Damn…not this again…I thought to myself as the council began to rest their sights on me.

Shelly's being icy and strong.

As if she could pierce with those stoney blue eyes.

A chill ran down my spine...

I had let the rats scurry for too long.

I never liked being the hammer of the law.

To be fair I needn't be the actual hammer, but simply give the command.

Yet, I preferred to let the betrayal go unpunished, hoping they would stop or maybe it had all been some accounting error…

Now, with the eyes on me.

I decided I had no choice.

Breaking the silence, I said:

"I'll find the thieves and make sure they are punished appropriately."

The council began to rumble with objections .

"Sir, you don't have to worry yourself over something so trivial. Just give us the order and we will send a squad to investigate and carry out the punishment."

Waving a hand, I regained control of the conversation.

"No, I prolonged the investigation and now the problem has snowballed. It's only right, as leader, and as a member of the guild, that I clean up my own mess."

Silent understandings and agreements followed.

Getting up from my seat, the council followed in unison.

I hated this part.

The importance of my position meant these men would wait for me.

When each one of them would do a much better job than myself.

"Council dismissed."

I tried in my most professional of tones.

Saluting, even Shelly, they made their way out of my tent and back into the makeshift camp we had situated outside of the Raid entrance.

Many villagers had stumbled upon us, thinking we were a roaming group of performers. Some carnival on wheels.

Becker and Noche juggled and spit fires from their palms.

Wizards playing magicians.

I chuckled.

Clearing my head, I walked over and placed my hand on the tent flaps.

"It's time to catch some loot-goblins, hopefully before someone else decides to do the job for me."