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.

of freedom were

the sentiment, he found the whole thing too abstract and a little childish. In any pragmatic setting, there

Restrictions molded society.

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

they tried to

their behavior which informed him that there were unwritten

why they're still

maybe the population of this city grew to an absurd degree—to the point where control became difficult—then

status-quo

path—despite a lot of easier options—was due to a much more primal and

was engrained within him; to the point where

"I wanted to change."

was silence

Of course, no one would get it if

and cowardly person. I hid behind stronger people and always looked for ways

of his statement. He didn't think he needed to,

Less risks, more reward.

was

I hated myself." Noah's solemn tone oozed through

friends, I used to comfort myself by thinking he was more pathetic than I was. He was average in every way, and I

at least there was one guy who

Noah spoke in

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

"I liked that."

friend of yours? Why did

wanted to run away. That guy was a monster who wanted to keep getting strong, and I knew he would drag me with

and Noah did

know why he was revealing so much about his past to such

didn't want

a lot safer there than in the North. But

how most people wanted to be as far away from the war as possible. If anyone could afford it, they

ridiculously high. Many would consider the quality of life incredibly