Another way of looking at though. Is that by having their experience stolen, their sleeping sole has awoken. With their sole now awoken, who knows how much higher they will reach.
Not really a fan of this development either, literally a week into the game he meets the guy who stole and sold his experience from the time he was at his PEAK. Just seems way to rushed for where in the point of the story the protagonist is.
Why do I not like any of the merchants we have met yet. I understand the kid maybe reminds him of a grandkid he has but still he is kind of a terrible person who tried to scam others even though he has a 'sad' backstory. Idk I guess he might grow on me.....