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

too abstract and a little childish. In any pragmatic setting, there had

Restrictions molded society.

despite the lack of solid rules and sufficient regulations, was

tried to deny this fact, it

in their behavior which informed him

they're still

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

status-quo

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

to the point

"I wanted to change."

was silence in

more. Of course, no one would get it if

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

part, he hadn't gotten rid of the latter part of his statement. He

Less risks, more reward.

problem was

solemn tone oozed

by thinking he was more

felt shitty or sad—that at least there

Noah spoke

secretly a lot better than I realized. He was stronger, smarter… better. He was better than me, than most people around us." A little smirk formed on the boy's

"I liked that."

to this friend of

"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.

a little, and Noah

his past to

didn't want

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

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

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