Jake's future

Chapter 26: Jake's future

Jake nervously stared at the monitor on which earnings of various occupations were displayed.

He didn't bother using his breathing technique to calm himself down because he would soon talk with the person who had taught him it—his father. 

Only Jake's father, Edward, could throw him so much out of his comfort zone.

"Alright," Jake licked his lips, "That's all I have to convince him."

After turning his PC off, Jake left his room and went downstairs to talk with his father about his future. He noticed his mother wasn't at the table, making his mood sour.

She'd interject when things strayed in the wrong direction—she was like a lifebelt if needed…

Jake sighed and sat on the sofa across from his father, smiling at him.

Edward cut straight to the chase, "College or work?"

"I'm thinking of working," Jake replied, waiting for the cue. 

When his father asked what kind of work his son had his eyes on, Jake went on about occupations related to Legend Enigma Online. In the span of five months, players rose to significant positions in the game and thus had their own guilds and territories, which required workers.

Since the game was like a second world, the game system alone couldn't replace people's input and only slightly made working easier. In fact, the lack of computers was quite bothersome even for people with office experience.

That said, NPCs could be hired. But leaving everything to people who could betray you at any moment cause they went beyond what NPCs were known for prior Legend Enigma Online was a terrible choice. 

It was better to contract a player with a real-life contract, significantly limiting the risks of having a rat in a guild.

Thus, there were positions where Jake could work for some time and then quickly shift to his crafting quests or even archery training! 

All because it'd be in the game. 

He also could make a single-member private company and work alone here. 

In fact, most solo players without a job went for that route, as it provides free insurance, less taxes on the money exchange from game coins to dollars, and a retirement pension in the future.

Jake could work in the game world by gathering common resources in stacks or selling high-grade items on the auction, then exchanging game income for real ones. 

He also could be hired in the game for many purposes. Some newbies needed more time to adapt to the game world, meaning they needed someone to point out their mistakes and help them with the game system. 

There was also a similar occupation that introduced newbies to valuable NPCs and planned out their start so as to they would have high proficiencies and classes, skills, and game income.

Jake explained many more paths that he could take to make money.

Lastly, he told his father about streaming, "I can see myself becoming a streamer with a small but loyal fanbase because I've picked the weakest class and am pretty good at it. Anyway, I was thinking of checking the guilds first. It sounds the closest to the real work experience, right? I think it's best for someone like me who hasn't worked yet."

Edward curved his lips into an amused smile, "Aren't you still on the tutorial island?"

Jake turned into a stone. He inwardly cursed at his sister and her big mouth!

"I can tell what you were thinking, Jake. Getting hired by a guild is the only path you can take since it doesn't require much game experience. The rest of the occupations you mentioned were only to show the fake effort you put into your future. But… you've spent your entire vacation in the game and still are on the tutorial island. That's the main problem," Edward said.

Jake clenched his hands, and his curses toward Mary became louder than his drumming heart.

"I'm not that worried about you. If you give it your all, you should be able to cut it in an adult life. I don't really doubt that…" Edward recalled his and his wife's worries about their daughter, whose future looked bleak. Fortunately, she found someone who took good care of her.

Edward didn't have the same concerns regarding Jake. He went through his final exams well, and his scores opened the doors to colleges that their family couldn't afford to. It only showed how persistent and stubborn Jake could become to achieve anything he seriously set his eyes on.

That trait caused many problems and was surely the incentive behind Jake's decision about his future.

"I want you to try college," Edward said. "It'll be difficult for you since you can't focus well on two different things, but I still want you to check it out and have some taste of it. I'll cover all expenses."

"Why can't I… try this part-time job? I'll soon leave the tutorial island…" Jake asked his father. He lied to him because he didn't see himself leaving for the mainland soon.

Though Jake may have revealed some of his true emotions, he hoped to receive a convincing answer.

Edward crossed his arms, "You need a backup plan in case you are not cut out for the gaming world. I often read about the future of virtual gaming being bright and lucrative, but it's still in the early stages and too risky. College isn't just about studying hard. It's also about interactions with your peers and seniors. You learn how to be more sociable, get valuable connections, and make new friends. You take part in the adult world and learn to be responsible. That's why I said it's going to be difficult. Because I know how serious you can get about one thing to the point you forget about anything else. This is exactly why you must learn how to manage your time and that flaw better. Family, college, connections, friends, studies, gaming, archery club, and you yourself—if you find good time management and even small successes in each of what I've just mentioned, you will be a good adult. Otherwise, you gonna rely on luck and live below standard, which is disappointing and too stressful."

Jake's heart was squeezed by something he couldn't describe.

Perhaps it was the word luck that worked so well on him.

Nonetheless, he gravely nodded and stood up.

"I'll go to college, then."

Edward smiled, "Go for it."

After Jake left the living room, Edward pulled out his phone and called his wife.

"Yeah, it's over," he said, "He'll go to college. Yes. I doubt he will aim high, so don't worry about costs. He didn't really argue back with me, though. I find it surprising. You too? Haha~~ it must have been the game. We have to return to it, too. Nothing beats beating down monsters for stress relief. Right! I'll be waiting for you."

Edward cut off and put his phone on the table.

He relaxed on the sofa and turned on the TV.

The day had only started but began so well that he believed he would meet legendary monsters in the game and flex his swordsman skills to his wife again!

"If only the treadmill worked…" Edward sighed.

Author's note: Supreme Archer will go premium on monday! Thank you for all the support, and I hope to see everyone supporting our archer in his endeavors and me as well! Would be cool to get some responses here to know who's willing to keep going despite premium etc. Thanks for the reading and have a nice day everyone!