That was all for the Construction Shop.
Now, there were two more shops to check out: the Item Shop and the Castle Core Shop.
I decided to start with the Item Shop.
The Item Shop only had three categories at the moment: Furniture, Food, and Weaponry.
I mentally tapped the Furniture icon, and—whoosh!—a new menu unfolded before my mind's eye.
The interface was sleek and easy to understand, I had to admit. Each item had a little preview image, a brief description, and—of course—a price tag. Unfortunately, the selection was painfully limited. It was like shopping at a dollar store, where every item was the simplest, most functional version imaginable.
Wooden Bench (2 wood) – "A sturdy bench. Seats 3 asses. Unless you are a hippo."
Oak Table (5 wood) – "A simple table. Good for meals or meeting, or dramatically slamming your fists."
Torch Sconce (1 stone) – "Because fire is cool. Also, light."
Straw Bed (2 wood) – "Not great for your back, but hey, at least it's not the cold, hard floor."
Rug (1 wood) – "What does a rug do anyway?"
…
And for the "luxury" items—if you could even call them that—there were:
Simple Throne (50 stone) – "For when you want to feel like a real tyrant. Although… the poorest one. Also, no crown included."
Statue (50 stone) – "A statue. Of whatever—or whoever—you want. Want a dragon? A goddess with gigantic boobs? A suspiciously buff version of yourself? The sky's the limit! (Additional stone required for custom options)."
And the coolest part? There was even a 3D preview of the furniture!
When I selected an item, a hologram-like projection appeared in my room, as if someone had conjured it right there. And if I needed to, I could even toggle grids on the floor or walls to place everything precisely, just like in a sim game!
This is just amazing!
It's exactly like furnishing a virtual home. With this, my castle will soon not have to be so empty anymore! And if I ever have enough points, I WILL decorate it to be the best castle ever! Muahahaha!
I could already picture it: a castle filled with everything luxurious.
…Though, sadly, I didn't have that many points right now. Haha…
Well, that I think about it, what is the point of buying a table or chair if I can't even sit on it? It will just sit there gathering dust!
So, as much as I really wanted to make a statue of an anime catgirl right now, I left the Furniture Shop.
***
Now, how about the Food Shop?
I focused on it and opened the menu. Turns out, this was the place to spend food points! It was literally a mini grocery store!
Though, once again, the selection was painfully limited. There were only six options:
1 kg apples - 1 food
2 loaves of bread - 1 food
1 kg raw meat - 3 food
1 kg potatoes - 1 food
12 eggs - 1 food
2 liters of milk - 1 food
But honestly, it wasn't like I could eat any of it. I was just a castle! I couldn't even get hungry anymore nor did I need any more food to survive.
Though… I did still miss the taste of food.
God, just imagine it: a big, juicy hamburger, crispy fries, and an ice-cold Coke on the side!
I used to think I was too good for boring, unhealthy American fast food.
But now?
Damn, I missed it!
I was craving it!
The grease! The salt! The way the cheese stuck to your fingers! The crunch of the fries! The fizz of the soda!
And just like that, my existential dread came crashing back, and it took me a long whole minute to push past the thought of never tasting food again.
***
Eventually, I checked the final category: the Weapon Shop.
The options were just as basic as everything else, if not MORE pathetic:
Wooden Club (3 wood) – "Big stick. Good smash. Good for bonk."
Wooden Spear (5 wood, 1 food or stone) – "Stick with pointy rock. Or bone. Maybe bone. Good for poke "
Wooden Shield (3 wood) – "Flat wood. Stop stabby things."
Bone Sword (8 wood, 3 food) – "Shiny bone stick. Look badass."
Bone Dagger (4 wood, 2 food) – "Tiny stabby bone. Still badass."
Damn it! Not even a metal sword?!
Yeah, I was pissed about the options.
Because I was a castle! Well, just a small one though, but still, a castle is a castle! And yet the best I could arm my future inhabitants with was bone and sticks?!
Who am I? The Castle for Cavemen?!
I really hoped leveling up the shop would unlock better options. Otherwise, this wasn't just pathetic, it was embarrassing!
***
In the end, as a castle without anyone living inside, the Furniture Shop, Food Shop, and even the Weapon Shop were all pretty much useless for now.
But that would all change if I ever got someone living inside me!
Not that I knew when that would happen, though…
I hope it wouldn't take something like a hundred years. By then, I'd be covered in cobwebs and the existential dread of eternity!
Anyways, I finally checked the upgrade option:
Upgrade Item Shop to Level 2
Requirement: System Shop Level 2, Castle Core Level 1
Upgrade Cost: 100 points
Unlocks: More shop items, Category creation, Item registration