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.

ideal of freedom were

the sentiment, he found the whole thing too abstract and a little childish. In

Restrictions molded society.

coexisting pretty well within the City, despite the lack of solid rules and sufficient regulations, was because there were

much as they tried to

which informed him that there were unwritten regulations that

why they're

an absurd degree—to the point where control became difficult—then

status-quo

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

him; to the point

"I wanted to change."

was silence

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

to be a very weak and cowardly person. I hid behind stronger people and always looked for ways

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

Less risks, more reward.

problem was with the

solemn

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

there was

was a reason Noah spoke in past

than I realized. He was stronger, smarter… better.

"I liked that."

of yours?

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

chuckled a little, and Noah did the

he was revealing so much about his past

want to

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

from the war as possible. If anyone could afford

would consider