Scar led Robert to another stone chamber. It wasn't spacious. The so-called resting place was just a bedroll laid out on the dry ground.
"Four men to a cave. You get this bunk," Scar said, pointing to a relatively clean bedroll. "A brother used to sleep here. Had bad luck, triggered a trap while excavating a ruin. He's dead now."
His expression turned serious as he offered a warning. "You're a smart kid, so I'll give you some advice. The boss isn't letting you join out of the goodness of his heart. When it's your turn to step up, you'll step up. But don't be reckless. Think things through. Brutes don't last long in the Treasure Hoarders. If you run into trouble, you can talk to me. I'll help if I can, but if I can't, don't drag me down with you. Since you paid your dues, you're under my wing now. If someone gives you trouble, drop my name. It carries some weight. Don't wander around the camp. They'll sound a gong for assembly: one strike for a meeting, two for meals, three for an emergency."
Scar was no saint, but he didn't take money for nothing. He rambled on, explaining many of the Treasure Hoarder rules. Finally, he clapped Robert on the shoulder. "Ironhead and his lot are no good. Try to gamble less." With that, he turned and left.
Robert saw him out respectfully. It took a moment for his expression to return to neutral.
'Ironhead's no good, and neither are you.'
Scar's advice to gamble less wasn't out of kindness; it was purely because if Robert lost all his money, the kickbacks to Scar would dry up. It was like a boss telling you to play fewer video games—he isn't worried about your lack of ambition, he's worried you won't work hard. A wolf cares about a sheep's health not from kindness, but from worry about eating sick mutton.
Robert returned to his bedroll and sat down. It was old, but clean enough and free of strange smells. He focused his mind, and the panel reappeared.
---
Name: Robert Lane
Race:Human
Life Energy Level:1 (You are a pure ordinary person who couldn't even defeat a Slime.) (Current stage: 100 Mora required per level-up)
Skills:None.
Wealth:1023 Mora
---
His wealth was now over a thousand. The odd change was probably because Ironhead had miscounted and given him a little extra. It wasn't much compared to what Ironhead had won in a single round, though.
'Panel, level up.'
A thought crossed his mind.
[Mora -100. Life Energy Level +1]
A trickle of warmth flowed through Robert's body. It was like water reappearing in a long-dry riverbed. An invisible power seemed to pour into his limbs and bones. His muscles trembled slightly, and his bones emitted faint cracking sounds, as if readjusting their structure. His previously tired body suddenly felt full of strength, as if every muscle fiber had been reactivated, brimming with potential.
To put it simply, it felt like a body that had been dead for a long time had suddenly come back to life. Robert had never felt so acutely aware of his body's vitality. His senses also seemed sharper. He could clearly feel his heartbeat grow stronger, the rush of blood in his veins echoing in his ears.
He reached out, clenching his fist slightly. His knuckles cracked, and the sense of power in his palm made him want to punch something to test his new limits.
'Damn, so this is how the main character feels in those stories after a power-up, like he could punch out a cow?'
Robert was a little addicted. He had to admit, this feeling of burgeoning strength was incredibly satisfying. For a moment, a subtle psychological shift occurred. An unprecedented confidence surfaced, as if all obstacles before him had become insignificant.
Emboldened, he picked up a loose piece of rubble nearby and squeezed it hard...
The rubble didn't react at all.
His surging confidence deflated. The illusion of punching a cow to death vanished. He looked back at the panel.
---
Name: Robert Lane
Race:Human
Life Energy Level:2 (You are a frequently exercising ordinary person; a Slime can't catch you.) (Current stage: 100 Mora required per level-up)
Skills:None.
Wealth:923 Mora
---
"I'm still just an ordinary person, after all."
He shook his head, disappointed, then looked at the panel information again. "Still a hundred Mora per level? It didn't increase?" He was pleasantly surprised. Based on what he knew, these kinds of leveling systems usually doubled the cost each level or required progressively more.
"It's a良心 Golden Finger after all."
Robert had no intention of saving the Mora for a rainy day. He suspected it would be stolen before morning if he didn't use it. Unlike protagonists in other stories who hoarded resources, unless he had the power to protect himself, Robert wasn't going to consider that strategy for now.
"Continue leveling up."
[Mora -100. Life Energy Level +1]
[Mora -100. Life Energy Level +1]
...
Soon, his wealth balance was only 123 Mora.
---
Name: Robert Lane
Race:Human
Life Energy Level:10 (Strong as an ox, full of vitality. Wherever you go, you'll be a first-rate beast of burden.) (Current stage: 500 Mora required per level-up)
Skills:None.
Wealth:123 Mora
---
Jumping from level 1 to 2, and then skyrocketing to level 10, the暴涨 of Life Energy made Robert feel like he was about to burst, yet internally he felt incredibly comfortable—a conflicting sensation. His formerly merely 'not weak' body became solid and powerful. Muscles swelled slightly beneath his rough clothes, seeming to contain explosive strength. With the slightest movement, his muscles rippled like water, full of power.
More importantly, he could clearly feel the surge of his vitality. Checking that no one was around, Robert took off his shirt and subconsciously flexed.
His vitality surged like a rushing river. The sound of blood flow seemed to echo in his ears. His skin turned slightly red, and he could even see a faint red light flowing within his blood vessels. His entire being radiated a vigorous vitality. His breathing, which had been weak after his imprisonment, became deep and steady.
"Increasing Life Energy Level isn't just about strength; it's an improvement in life's essence itself."
This thought surfaced in Robert's mind. Putting his clothes back on, he pricked up his ears. He could even hear the Treasure Hoarders chatting in the cavern, their talk mostly revolving around women, drink, and food. He could also hear the sound of pacing footsteps, likely from the patrols.
His nose twitched; he could even pick up the faint scents in the air. The smell of sweat, the aroma of potatoes, the smoke from the bonfire, and some other strange, pungent but not entirely unpleasant odors.
Just as he wanted to continue testing his changes, Robert heard two strikes of a copper gong from outside. His eyes lit up.
"Chow time."
He hurried out of the stone chamber and indeed saw Treasure Hoarders gathering in small groups, heading in one direction. Spotting a familiar figure—Scar—Robert quickly caught up and fell into step beside him.
Seeing Robert approach, Scar didn't react, just kept walking. After a few steps, nearing the kitchen entrance, Scar finally spoke. "Our rations depend on work. If you work, you get one portion of meat, three of vegetables, unlimited rice. If you don't work, you get one portion of vegetables, one of rice. If you want to eat well and fill your belly, you'd better start working tomorrow."
Robert had just joined today, so he wasn't counted as working. He'd only get one portion of vegetables and one of rice.
"Of course, you won a fair bit. You can buy more with Mora. Twenty Mora for a portion of meat, five for vegetables, two for rice. It's cheaper than in Liyue Harbor. You got a good deal, kid." Scar said, smiling. He remembered Robert saying he couldn't make it in Liyue Harbor and was trying to get to Mondstadt.
Robert instinctively played along. "That's great. Much better than Liyue Harbor." He had no real idea what Liyue Harbor was like, his impressions came only from the game. But he knew that agreeing with Scar was the safest bet.
Sure enough, Scar smiled and patted his shoulder. "You need to get your food over there. Go on. Remember to get a bowl from next door first." He pointed Robert toward two different directions.