An Extra’s POV

"Ahh, that…"

Noah's face fell a little, and something akin to a sad smile added to his clouded countenance.

His tale wasn't particularly a sad story. Many Adventurers in the City had more tragic experiences to share.

However, for Noah, a sixteen-year-old teenager who had been living a pretty mundane life on Earth until three months ago, his story was just as heavy.

"I think… I realized that I had no other choice but to become strong." His smile broadened as he uttered those words.

Many would agree with him, but most were probably going to miss the point. No one could really understand the depths from which he uttered those words.

People desired to get stronger for various reasons.

Some wanted wealth.

'I already have more than enough money to retire to some countryside and live the rest of my life without worrying about sustenance.'

Some craved power.

'I have enough strength to be in the one percent of humans in this world.'

Some lusted after influence.

'I find attention annoying, and most of the time… I like being left alone.'

Women.

'I don't think most of them are anything special.'

Thrill.

'Nothing about fighting Monsters thrills me. It's a dangerous job.'

Noah didn't qualify for most of the reasons why most people desired to be Adventurers. He wasn't like the average Adventurers, and he didn't relate to most of the things they valued.

freedom were

thing too abstract and a little childish. In any pragmatic setting, there had to be established

Restrictions molded society.

despite the lack of solid rules and sufficient regulations, was because there were

they tried to deny this fact, it was

see patterns in their behavior which informed him that there

they're still

didn't exist, or maybe the population of this city grew to an absurd degree—to the

The status-quo would

Noah chose this path—despite a lot of easier options—was due to a much

the point

"I wanted to change."

a moment, there was silence

voice caused Noah to smile even more. Of course, no one would get

used to be a very weak and cowardly person. I hid behind stronger people and always looked for ways to benefit without taking the

part of his statement. He didn't think he

Less risks, more reward.

problem was

Noah's solemn tone oozed

we became friends, I used to comfort myself by thinking he was more pathetic than

or sad—that at least there was

was a reason Noah spoke

a lot better than I realized. He was stronger, smarter… better. He was better

"I liked that."

happened to this friend of yours? Why did you part

That guy was a monster who

little, and

so much about his past to

want

South, since things are a lot safer there than in the North. But apparently, all

far away from the war as possible. If anyone could afford it, they would instantly leave

ridiculously high. Many would consider