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.

like the ideal of freedom were

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

Restrictions molded society.

reason why the Adventurers were still coexisting pretty well within the City, despite the lack of solid rules and sufficient regulations, was because there were already unspoken rules that existed within the

as they tried to deny

behavior which informed

they're still

grew to an absurd

The status-quo would

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

the point where

"I wanted to change."

was silence

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

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

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

Less risks, more reward.

problem was with the

solemn tone

before moving here. Before we became friends, I used to comfort myself by thinking he was more

there

was a reason Noah spoke

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

"I liked that."

of yours? Why did you

his back on the chair that he sat on. "I wanted to run away. That guy was a

little, and Noah did the

past to such a stranger, but somehow… he felt

didn't want

the Capital and initially wanted to travel South, since things are a lot safer there than in the North. But

far away from the war as possible. If anyone could afford

living there was ridiculously high. Many would consider the quality of life incredibly low for the amount they were