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 had to be

Restrictions molded society.

of solid

as they tried to deny this fact, it was

which informed him that there were unwritten regulations that bound everyone

they're still

city grew to an absurd degree—to

The status-quo would

chose this path—despite a lot of easier options—was

him; to the point where he could not escape or

"I wanted to change."

a moment, there was silence

Jet's inquisitive voice caused Noah to smile even more. Of course, no one would get it

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

statement.

Less risks, more reward.

was with

hated myself." Noah's solemn

by thinking he was more pathetic than I was. He

I felt shitty or sad—that at least there was one

reason Noah

than I realized. He was stronger, smarter… better. He was better than me, than most people around us." A little smirk formed on

"I liked that."

to this friend of yours? Why did

to run away. That guy was

little, and

about his past to such a stranger, but somehow…

want

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

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

high. Many would consider the quality of life incredibly low for the amount they were