After that, Aida-san kept asking me repeatedly, "Are you sure you're really going to do this?" but my answer never wavered.
I didn't know what the bad rumors were about, but there wasn't any talk about suspensions or punishments involving this team.
Which means—
"You're the guy named Date?"
"Huh?"
I turned around to find a large man standing behind me.
"I asked if you're Date, damn it."
He was chewing gum, scowling, and glaring at me like he was sizing me up.
Ah, I see. So this is Udotta, the infamous team leader.
I'd better tread carefully around him.
"Y-Yes! I'm Kume Date. Pleased to meet you today!"
Even as I gave a polite greeting, Udotta threw—no, it looked more like he dumped—a human-sized bag of supplies on the ground. Right, his Heaven's Gift is Warrior.
The Warrior Gift is highly valued. It can grow through stages, from Advanced Warrior to Berserker and beyond.
However, I vaguely remember reading a paper that said those with the Warrior Gift tend to have aggressive personalities.
Still, expecting me to carry this much luggage alone?
This amount clearly violates the Genius Dispatch Center's weight regulations. It's a load only someone with a strength-based Gift could manage.
"What are you standing around for, dumbass?! Pick that up and follow me!"
I take back what I thought earlier.
That shout came from Tanaka Gou, the Healer.
If I recall correctly, that paper also mentioned that healers are typically kind and compassionate.
So, is the paper wrong, or is Tanaka an exception?
"Ugh…! Ngh!"
Heavy. This is insanely heavy. My shoulders feel like they're going to pop out of their sockets.
Each step drains my energy, and honestly, I already want to go home.
But I can't.
"Damn it… Ngh!"
As I struggled forward, someone walked right past me without even glancing in my direction. That must be Hasegawa, the Archer. Look at that smug expression.
On my other side, a woman named Fukada strolled past, smirking at me.
"Wow, pathetic. We're not even at the destination yet, and you're already drenched in sweat. Gross."
What a perfectly polished insult, delivered with the finesse of an artist.
Still, I've heard worse in the past.
If nothing else, my years of enduring abuse are the only things keeping me standing right now.
Ironically, they're my greatest source of strength.
But seriously, this team is horrible.
Normally, before taking on a mission, there would be a proper team meeting to discuss strategies, objectives, and potential monsters.
It's standard protocol. Udotta, as the leader, should know this.
Then again, bringing that up would probably get me punched.
Luckily, I'd done my homework beforehand. Aida-san had given me some intel.
Our target today is goblins.
Small, humanoid monsters with green skin. While individually weak, goblins act in groups and use tools and weapons. Underestimating them can easily lead to death.
This mission also involves a Hobgoblin, which leads the group. Hobgoblins are larger and stronger than regular goblins.
However, with four people—even Rank F members like me—a Hobgoblin shouldn't be unbeatable.
Udotta and Hasegawa are Rank E, which balances the team well.
Theoretically, this should be a straightforward mission.
The only issue is that I'll probably suffer the most out of everyone.
Still, if it means staying safe, I'll take it.
I just want to get this over with, go home, and soak in a hot bath.
"Oi! Ichitetsu! You take the left flank!"
"Hah, piece of cake."
Despite their terrible personalities, this team is skilled.
Udotta, the Warrior, held the front lines, while Hasegawa, the Archer, picked off stray goblins from a distance.
"Fire Pillar!"
Fukada, the Mage, created a wall of flames, funneling the goblins straight toward Udotta.
Ah, so that's where his massive shield came from. It must've been in the luggage.
And Tanaka, the Healer, healed every minor scratch without missing a beat.
This team would probably climb the ranks quickly—assuming nothing went wrong.
"Oh, finally showing your face, huh?"
The Hobgoblin appeared.
Most of the regular goblins were already dealt with, and Udotta didn't even look tired.
"Bullet Shoot!"
"GRAAAHH!?"
Hasegawa's arrow struck the Hobgoblin's knee, toppling it.
"Nice shot, Ichitetsu!"
As the Hobgoblin staggered, Udotta leapt in with a diagonal slash.
"GIIIK! GIIIIK!"
The remaining goblins tried to flee but were quickly taken out by Hasegawa and Fukada.
"Fireball!"
The mission ended without any trouble.
Tanaka had already started extracting the magic stones from the goblins' heads.
Magic stones can be sold for additional income or used to power weapons, armor, and artifacts. They're also a key energy source in this world, replacing nuclear power.
Of course, that kind of wealth isn't something I'll ever experience.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Huh?"
"Start collecting the damn magic stones! You think we're paying you to slack off?!"
Tanaka shouted something ridiculous at me.
I wasn't here as a collector; I was assigned as a porter.
"The contract doesn't—"
Before I could finish, a knife landed at my feet, cutting me off.
"Guh!"
Udotta had thrown it.
"That's enough!"
I was about to argue when a loud crash echoed nearby.
Everyone froze.
From the smoke and rubble, a massive figure emerged.
"A Goblin General?!"
The creature towered over the Hobgoblin, clad in heavy armor and wielding a massive cleaver-like sword.
This was a Rank B monster.
Absolutely impossible for us to defeat.
Without a word, everyone bolted.
"Crap, crap, crap!"
Even Udotta grabbed his gear and ran, leaving the rest of the luggage behind.
"Damn it…!"
As I struggled to keep up, something struck the back of my head.
"Ugh!"
A sharp pain shot through me. I turned to see Udotta and Tanaka smirking as they ran off.
They'd thrown a rock at me—using me as bait.
Looming behind me was the Goblin General, raising its cleaver with a cruel smile.
"Damn it…!"
I tried to run, but the next blow struck my back, sending me flying into rubble.
The pain was unbearable, blood dripping down my body.
"Damn it… Damn it!"
I crawled, but the Goblin General closed the distance effortlessly.
My strength was fading.
I didn't want to die.
But reality didn't care.
The Goblin General raised its weapon again.
"Ah… so this is the end."
As my life flashed before my eyes, a strange message appeared.
Activating Gift: Inquiry.
Acquiring target's Heaven's Gift.
Success. Acquired Heaven's Gift: Focus.
…Huh?