LitRPG Without Endless Killing – Looking for Books with Diverse Progression Systems

Most progression systems in LitRPG rely on a simple rule: if you want to get stronger, you have to kill. This makes character development one-dimensional and primitive. In real life, skills improve through practice, research, analysis, and innovation. So why should fantasy worlds be reduced to endless slaughter?

I'm looking for books where character progression isn’t solely based on combat and killing. Any recommendations?

If a progression system exists for an entire world, gaining experience should come from multiple sources:

Practice — The more often and effectively you perform an action, the better it becomes (just like in real life).

Understanding — Studying theory, experimenting, and grasping deeper concepts should lead to breakthroughs.

Innovation — If a character is the first to develop a new technique, invention, or method, they should gain more experience than simply repeating existing knowledge.

Global Impact — Actions that significantly change the world (scientific discoveries, cultural shifts, political reforms) should also contribute to progression.

I'm interested in stories where leveling up is based on more than just fighting. What books would you recommend?