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 lost concepts

he admired the sentiment, he found the whole thing too abstract and a little childish. In any pragmatic setting, there had to be established

Restrictions molded society.

were still coexisting pretty well within the City, despite the lack of solid rules and

tried to deny this

outsider, Noah could see patterns in their behavior which informed

they're still

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

The status-quo would

so, the true reason Noah chose this path—despite a lot of easier options—was due to a much more primal and

within him; to the point where he could not escape or deny

"I wanted to change."

moment, there was

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

stronger people and always

the most part, he hadn't gotten rid of the latter part of his statement. He didn't think he needed to, considering how that was

Less risks, more reward.

problem was with the

think I hated myself." Noah's solemn tone

myself by thinking he was

there was one guy

Noah spoke in

realize that the guy was secretly a lot better than I realized. He was stronger, smarter… better.

"I liked that."

to this friend of yours? Why did you part

he rested his back on the chair that he sat on. "I wanted to run away. That guy was a monster who wanted to keep getting strong, and I knew he would drag me with him.

little, and Noah did

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

didn't want

South, since things are a lot safer there than in

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

would consider the quality