An Undisciplined Fool

Many people believe in the saying, "Hard work will always beat talent." This phrase is inspiring to those who may not have natural advantages, placing them above the norm. However, what happens when talent also works hard?

In the world of monsters, the strongest always come out on top, no matter how they achieve their victory. This is a famous quote among individuals who consider themselves "emissaries of God." An emissary is a person who has awakened the ability to use the powers of this world, granting them various magical abilities.

Some say that these powers were a gift from God to fight against a devastating form of life: Disasters, a type of monster resulting from a supernatural phenomenon called the "rift." The rift consists of the formation of an enormous sphere, whose interior is a space resembling another dimension.

In order to prevent disasters from entering the world, rifts must be neutralized within five days of their formation. This task is carried out by emissary teams sponsored by various organizations around the world.

At the entrance of the small village of Sofiya, a boy in his sixties named Anesidora, nicknamed by Dora, arrived. He had long gray hair, a sweet feminine face, and donned a black tracksuit with light sports pants. On his back, he carried a large bag filled with pharmaceutical plants. As he approached the village market, merchants in front of their stalls took note of his presence.

"He's here, look... Hey, Dora, how much are you selling these plants for? I want all your stock."

The young man stopped, looking surprised.

"... Really? Finally! So... Huh... I just want to get rid of it quickly so if you want... What does that mean?"

He noticed the giggles of the shopkeepers and immediately understood that they were making fun of him, his placid expression took on a salty tinge.

"Each leaf is worth 1000 lyre, there are a total of 1682 plants with several different leaves, I will send the invoice to your weird daughter who can not count."

"Oi, brat, who are you calling weird?"

The shopkeeper's friends laughed heartily at their comrade's humiliation while holding him back.

"Hahaha, calm down, Mr. Rohn, you know he's like that, it's between friends."

"Friend? That brat is my daughter's age, he owes me respect!"

"I can't respect someone who owes me money, but I like you and your daughter, she can't count, you can't read, you're the ultimate combo."

They all laughed, the other salesmen holding back Rohn who was trying to attack Dora. This anecdotal scene is widespread in this place.

Anesidora has been an active emissary in the village, belonging to the only team of emissaries. He has made significant contributions to the security of the town and is known for his humility and approachability. Due to his selflessness, he is highly regarded in his community and is considered a beloved member.

"If only his mouth were as noble as his heart." The merchants resumed their discussion as he walked away. "He's a great boy, but I wouldn't give him custody of my children, he's too unpredictable!"

"By the way, what's the deal with what he's carrying? You said it would be wood or rocks."

"Huh? You don't know?... Ah! Yeah, you're usually out hunting at this hour, you can't know. You see, this kid leaves the village every day, nobody knows where he goes but on the opening day of the big market, every week, he shows up with a weird bag of goods that no one wants to buy."

"How come? Does he need money? He's an emissary, right? He should be loaded with money."

"Not that kind of emissary, he's still E rank, at that level he must earn less in a month than the rest of us."

"Ah, that's weird, considering how everyone is talking about him and his team, I thought that was a big shot."

"Nah, Dora is just an average emissary, but the leader of his team, on the opposite, is the real deal."

As "Dora", I belonged to an assault group called Shining Sword, led by Leon, an emissary from the hero branch, known for his strength and exploits.

Our team was made up of six members, each with their own unique skills and personalities. Leon led us with bravery and heroism, while Erick was his loyal sidekick and skilled thief. Sana was a gentle and seductive monk, and Marie was the puppeteer - always silent and stoic. Morgiana was a strong and honorable spearman, while Lilith was our fiercest warrior - small in stature but with a sharp tongue and incredible strength. As for myself, I specialized in debuffs and other magical talents.

Together, we were the village's main defense against rifts and the monsters that threatened it, often surpassing even the guards in our successes. Our exploits made us the talk of the town, and we were celebrated as true heroes.

Leon and I founded Shining Sword together, but our reputations were vastly different. Leon was a noble and honorable person, beloved for his charisma and kindness. He possessed the powers of the hero class, which had fewer evolutions but was stronger than the other branches.

In contrast, my reputation used to be that of a calculating and manipulative person who was willing to betray comrades to reach my goals. Additionally, I was known for retaliating against those who attacked me, making me an intimidating figure.

Strangely enough, this reputation was something I was proud of. Nonetheless, my recent actions for the benefit of the village have improved my standing, and people now see me as a sort of undercover hero.

After I "accidentally" dropped my bag of plants in Rohn's garden, I headed towards an old wooden house near the village entrance, which was Shining Sword's headquarters. The house used to be a grain storage facility for the peasants, but it has been beautifully renovated and decorated with magic that I find admirable. I entered through the back door and found my comrades there, looking unhappy.

Leon, sitting in his desk chair, looked at me without saying a word and it was Lillith who broke the silence.

"Unbelievable... Where have you been all this time?! We had a meeting 30 minutes ago!"

I closed the door and walked over to a mini fridge.

"What don't you understand about 'I'm unavailable in the morning'? Nobody disturbs your 40-minute holy baths so respect other people's time."

"What?! You... You idiot! You're wrong here and you dare insult me?"

"... You call 'holy' an insult? Poor Sana."

Upon hearing those words, Sana let out a stifled laugh before quickly regaining her composure. Furious, Lilith grabbed her hammer. Witnessing the extraordinary feats made possible by the emissaries was always a delightful sight for me. The girl with red hair in twin tails could lift a hammer twice her size with ease, showcasing her impressive strength.

"The only holy you'll get is a holy beating if you keep testing me!"

For me, it was like.

"Take corn from a hamster."

"What did you say?"

She raised her weapon and took a step forward, still very sensitive to her size, and alas for her, that made it my weapon of choice.

"Ara~ your ears are too small to hear?"

She was about to attack me, but I quickly put one hand behind my back and held the other up in a sword-finger pose in front of my mouth, with unwavering determination, I stood tall and poised, ready to conquer the oncoming wave.

"Enough!!!"

Leon let out a loud scream of frustration, causing Lilith and me to snap out of our daze. Lilith dropped her hammer, causing the ground to creak, and turned her index fingers together, visibly embarrassed. Meanwhile, I put my second arm on my back and continued to smile.

"It's your fault...stupid," Lilith pouted, almost as if she was about to cry.

"It's your fault too, stupid," I replied.

I tried to playfully pat her on the head, but she pushed my hand away, irritated. Lilith and I had been friends for a while, but she was a proud and stubborn person and had trouble making other friends. I was one of the few people who could tolerate her behavior, but she became harsher towards me after I started "dating" Sana.

"sigh What can I do with you? Dora, I know we said we wouldn't call you in the morning but, between you and me, you think this is a behavior worthy of an emissary?"

"Depending on the situation, Leon, I don't need to change my daily activities if there is no real threat. The rift won't open for 3 more days, will it?"

"Is that really how you think? Just because there's time, you're not following the team's instructions anymore?"

"We had a deal when we started this team, I believe. You're the one stepping out of your bounds now."

"Hey, watch your mouth!"

I wasn't surprised by Erick's reaction. Leon was highly respected, even among the village elders. I was probably the only one who spoke to him that way, but he didn't seem phased. We had founded the team together and, in my opinion, were equals. I couldn't back down in front of someone like him.

"... Well, I expected that from you. And you're right, that's not what we agreed on, so I think you'll have no problem with what we decided. You can come in. "

As the door to the restroom creaked open, a stunning young girl stepped out, her long white hair cascading down her back. Her piercing blue eyes gleamed in the dim light of the cabin, and she was clad in lightweight armor that hugged her slender figure. Despite the cramped surroundings, she moved with grace and confidence, leaving a trail of sweet-smelling perfume in her wake.

"Allow me to introduce you, Liliana, your replacement."