The next day, I continued working as before, moving and placing bricks, while training my concentration via my muscle memories.
While I was now motivated to leave this thankless job that was ebbing at my very life, I had no choice but to continue! A man needs food and shelter!
Unfortunately, I was so dirt-poor that I couldn't improve my quality of life at all! Therefore, the Happiness Multiplier remained stagnant at a pitiful 1.5x. It's so difficult to escape this vicious cycle...
However, I did notice a difference when I worked. Everything suddenly felt more familiar to me, as if I had done it many times before, yet not. It was very strange, but following these newfound instincts, I noticed I learned work tricks several times faster than before! Also, I felt that it was easier to learn how to concentrate better on tasks.
When I asked the system, it gave me a shocking reveal.
This is due to the Prestige Mechanic.
Each level of a Class or Ability gives a stacking +10% learning speed bonus to the Host and Game Avatar.
For example, since the Game Avatar Laborer #1 reached lvl 50 in the Laborer Class, Laborer #2 now has a 5 times learning bonus, which multiplicatively stacks with other factors, such as Happiness and Productivity. In other words, if nothing else changes, it would reach its original level 5 times faster.
But please note that while this bonus is indeed significant, the Host must not rely on it, as its effects diminish at higher levels since leveling difficulty scales exponentially, not linearly.
Well, I didn't know about some of the complicated things it talked about, but I did understand two things. First, I should strive to raise levels early. And second, I shouldn't just rely on prestige. Anyway, the simulation didn't change my real life. If I didn't work hard, it would be all for nothing.
Anyway, this was good news for me! This meant that I could quickly reach the previous max level before focusing on other things. And so, I did. For another 4 days, I let the system run in the background, and then, finally, I looked at the result.
Life Progress:
Simulated Life: Laborer #2.
Age: 22 years and 20 days.
Expected Lifespan: 65 years and 340 days.
Warrior Realm: 0
Magician Realm: 0
Current Time Progression Speed: 1 Simulated Year/ 1 Real-Life Day.
Classes: Laborer lvl 47 (50)(In Progress) [Click to Expand]
Abilities: Concentration lvl 65 (67)(In Progress) [Click to Expand]
Happiness Multiplier: 1.5x [Click to Expand]
Hint: Change abilities already...
While the loss of lifespan made my mood sour, the good news was that my leveling speed greatly increased! Now, thanks to lvl 70 Concentration, I can level up other abilities faster! Unfortunately, I could only remain a Laborer since I didn't have another class besides Urchin, and I didn't want to return to that dark episode in my life.
In this regard, I also asked the system why I couldn't unlock any other class. The system gave me an overly realistic reply.
The Simulated Life cannot progress in a Class that the Host has not had before.
In other words, get a new occupation in Real Life.
"Easier said than done..." I wryly thought.
In many occupations, there was a master-disciple relationship, and it usually started at age 7-10. As an orphaned urchin, I didn't even have the privilege of being apprenticed! It was only thanks to my adoptive father's kindness that I even survived and learned an unskilled profession, let alone a skilled one.
As for soldiering... I still don't have what it takes to be a soldier! The system even stated it itself. Shaking my head, I refocused on the Ability Menu. And after a moment of hesitation, I gritted my teeth and selected Productivity.
While Strength was (Very) tempting, the system's hint indicated that the Game Avatar might unlock an essential ability once Productivity reached lvl 20.
And so, I patiently waited for another 3 days, until-
Abilities:
Essential:
Concentration: lvl 65 (67)
Productivity: lvl 20 (1)(In Progress)
Meditation: lvl 0
Combat:
Strength: lvl 7
"Meditation?" I blinked my eyes, confused.
The system didn't wait for me to ask more questions and gave me the answer.
Meditation:
Through clearing your mind and relaxing your body, you achieve inner peace and enlightenment.
This ability not only increases your Happiness Multiplier but is also essential for learning magic.
When I read this, I immediately became excited! After all, if the Happiness Multiplier improved, then the leveling speed of everything also improved! Moreover-
"Magic?! I can learn Magic?!" I shook in excitement at the prospect.
Magicians were undoubtedly top earners. If I could become a powerful mage, fame and fortune would be at hand!
However, the following message doused me with cold water.
Both Real World Concentration and Meditation need to reach lvl 200 before the Host can control mana, and the Host still needs a training technique, tutelage, and knowledge. Before these requirements are met, the Host can forget about becoming a magic-user.
Hint: It is better to focus on the more realistic, warrior-based path for now. It wouldn't be too late to double-cultivate later...
"Drats..." I felt bummed out.
But I didn't dwell on it for too long. Anyway, for someone like me without anything to lose, just getting the opportunity to become a powerful warrior was satisfying enough!
And so, without much hesitation, I selected the Meditation Skill.
Two weeks later, when Laborer #2 was already 41 years old, I checked the progress once again. Thanks to the double benefit of Concentration and Happiness from Meditation, the Meditation Skill reached lvl 60! According to the system, this translates to over 2.6 times the leveling speed!
But while I was somewhat tempted to continue leveling it up, I held myself back and finally selected to level up Strength.
After all, I desperately needed to become stronger. If I weren't strong enough, how was I even supposed to join the army?! How could I get access to training manuals and a better living environment? At least, in the army, you had better living conditions and food than a lowly laborer!
"If I join the army and get a higher rank, surely I would receive a training boost, right?"
While fancying these thoughts, I continued my laboring days until, finally, after 10 more days-
Your game avatar has reached the end of the expected lifespan at 51 years old and died.
Would you like to conclude this life now? Y/N?
Reminder: Life Conclusion causes immense mental strain. Please rest in a safe location before proceeding.
Reminder: Without concluding this life, the Progress System can't continue running. Please conclude this life as quickly as possible!
Lying on my bed, next to my fellow laborer buddies, I looked at this notification, and...
"Do it!" I mentally spoke.
Immediately, I felt the familiar rush of information flooding my brain, paralyzing me on the bed. And finally, after an unknown amount of time-
Simulated Life: Laborer #2 has been concluded.
Life Summary:
Simulated Life: Laborer #2
Final Age: 51 years and 87 days.
Final Warrior Realm: 0
Final Magician Realm: 0
Classes: Laborer lvl 121 [Click to Expand]
Abilities: Concentration lvl 65, Productivity lvl 20, Meditation lvl 60, Strength lvl 35, Muscle Memory lvl 30
Life Evaluation: Better work ethics and inner peace prevented injuries and lowered physical and mental stress, but he lived and died as a poor laborer. But at least he is a bit jacked!
Hint 1: With your current Happiness Multiplier, your progress will hit an impassable bottleneck at around lvl 250-300. Find things to improve your happiness, like better food, clothing, and hygiene... Surely some things are within your budget, if you don't drink that vile diluted thing you call booze...
Hint 2: Having access to training equipment could help Strength Training, both in the Simulation and in Real Life.
Hint 3: The military has higher-quality food, clothing, trainers, and equipment, which can be accessed immediately through a recruitment bonus... Although you probably already know this... Right?
Hint 4: Although it is tempting to hire a whore, don't do it! It isn't worth the risks involved!
Surprisingly, this time, the Game Avatar lived for another year, but in the end, as the system said, a laborer is a laborer. Even if it is lvl 1,000, it is a laborer.
However, when Strength reached lvl 30, it unlocked a new ability called Muscle Memory. It gave a bonus to Strength gain, so I decided to level it up in the last few years of the avatar. With this, in the next life, it could improve Strength much faster!
And so could I. At least, I felt that I could train my strength much faster now.
"Good... now I can start the second phase of my plan." I thought, feeling the little money I saved up during the month in my purse.
Instead of wasting it on booze like a drunkard who lives in the moment, I planned on using it to buy some new clothes. My scratchy clothes were worn and brown with holes, so I wanted to see what changes wearing cleaner, newer clothes would bring.
Naturally, before returning to sleep, I started the third Game Avatar's life, Laborer #3. At least, I wanted to see how much I improved in Real Life this time.
Life Progress:
Simulated Life: Laborer #3(Can rename).
Age: 17 years and 66 days.
Expected Lifespan: 67 years and 271 days.
Warrior Realm: 0
Magician Realm: 0
Current Time Progression Speed: 1 Simulated Year/ 1 Real-Life Day.
Classes: Laborer lvl 12 (121)(In Progress) [Click to Expand]
Abilities: Concentration lvl 9 (67)(In Progress) [Click to Expand]
Happiness Multiplier: 1.5x [Click to Expand]
Hint 1: Focusing on relevant classes and abilities is key to success.
Hint 2: Real Life Improvement gives you a slightly faster start.
Laborer went up from lvl 10 to lvl 12, and Concentration went from lvl 5 to lvl 9! However, when I look at the level in the menu, I don't feel as happy as I should be.
"Oh, well. I'll get there eventually. Now, I should rest. I have work tomorrow." I thought and went to sleep.