Lucas stood in the newly repaired antique shop, the air humming faintly with the power of the renovations. The thugs were gone, expelled from his new Domain. The last remnants of their threat dissipated, leaving him standing in a fully restored building that felt... new. The cracked walls and aging floorboards had been smoothed and polished, leaving behind a pristine structure that was practically reborn.
His eyes flicked back to the floating blue text in front of him.
Karma Balance: 10,000
The repairs were done. The shop, once dilapidated, was now a fortress of stability, but Lucas knew that the real transformation had only just begun. There were endless possibilities for what he could create here, and the interface provided him with options—rooms, machines, luxuries he never could have imagined owning.
He scrolled through the options once again, carefully considering what his next move would be. His first concern was making the space not just livable for himself, but functional for future plans. He needed a place to stay, a comfortable setup for himself, and spaces that could cater to more than just him if things went his way.
His finger hovered over the Guest Room option.
"Guest Room: 1,000 Karma Points."
It would make sense to purchase one as his own room for now, especially since there were no other residents in the building. He needed somewhere private to sleep, and once he started expanding the Domain, who knew what kind of visitors or allies might show up? But for now, the guest room would be his.
Lucas selected it. The building hummed as the walls of a new room materialized somewhere deeper within the shop. A door appeared to the left of the main hallway that led out of the shop's front area, and he felt the layout of the building shift subtly. He walked over and opened the door to inspect his new personal space.
The Guest Room was simple but clean, a vast improvement from the grimy corners of the shop he'd explored earlier. It had a comfortable bed, covered with soft linens in shades of dark blue. A wooden dresser stood on the far wall, and a small writing desk with a lamp sat near the window, which overlooked the street. The room exuded a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Though it wasn't luxurious, it had everything he needed—a place to rest, a space for his few belongings, and enough privacy to retreat into when the weight of the world became too much.
Lucas dropped his bag beside the bed and sat down on the soft mattress. He hadn't realized how tense his body had been until he felt the comfort of the bed beneath him. The events of the past few days—his mysterious memory gaps, the attack, and now the strange power of Karma—had left him mentally and physically exhausted. But now, at least, he had a place to unwind.
Karma Balance: 9,000
Satisfied with his new room, Lucas moved back to the central shop area. The next most pressing issue was food. While the building was now a safe haven, his stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in what felt like days.
The Food Bar option caught his eye again.
"Food Bar: 4,000 Karma Points (Discounted from 15,000)."
He selected it, imagining a sleek and modern setup that would not only serve him but also future customers. He pressed "YES," and the building began to shift once more.
Immediately, a large section of the shop connected to the main area transformed into a spacious Food Bar. Thirty neatly arranged tables filled the space, each surrounded by comfortable chairs. The layout was designed to accommodate a crowd, and Lucas could already imagine the hum of activity that might one day fill this room.
A sleek, modern kitchen was tucked into one corner of the space, complete with polished countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, and a stocked pantry. The gleaming steel and clean surfaces contrasted sharply with the more rustic feel of the antique shop. It was like stepping into another world—a high-end café designed for efficiency and style.
Along one wall stood a large drink machine, its bright interface displaying dozens of options. From coffee and juice to soda and even more exotic beverages, it had everything anyone could want. He poured himself a cold drink and sipped it, letting the refreshing taste wake him up a bit.
For now, the Food Bar was his alone, but its capacity hinted at something bigger. One day, Lucas knew, customers might fill these tables, and this place would become more than just a personal refuge—it would be a business, a hub of activity, and maybe even a place for people from all walks of life to gather.
Karma Balance: 5,000
Next on his list was the Empty Room, a versatile space he could customize later. For now, it would serve as a temporary area to house the VR Machines he planned to buy.
"Empty Room: 1,000 Karma Points."
Once again, the shop shifted, a door appearing in the hall near his guest room. Lucas opened the door and stepped into the new space. As expected, it was just a blank room—four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. The room was neither small nor particularly large, but it was perfect for what he had in mind.
He quickly navigated back to the list and selected two VR Machines.
"VR Machine: 1,000 Karma Points each."
The machines appeared instantly in the center of the empty room, sleek and futuristic. Each machine resembled a large reclining chair, complete with a visor and various interface options built into the armrests. The smooth metal and glowing blue lights made them look like something out of a high-tech science fiction movie.
Lucas walked over to one of the machines and touched the interface. A series of options appeared on the display—everything from immersive games to skill training simulations. He could already see the potential these machines held. Whether he wanted to escape into a virtual world or use them for practical purposes like learning new skills, the VR machines would be invaluable tools.
The room, though empty apart from the machines, felt like the beginning of something greater. In time, Lucas knew he could add more machines, fill the space with other resources, or even transform it into a full-fledged entertainment area. For now, it was a quiet, utilitarian space where he could train or relax.
Karma Balance: 2,000
His next purchase was simple but necessary: a Bathroom.
"Bathroom: 100 Karma Points."
A door appeared at the far end of the hallway, leading into a small but fully functional bathroom. The clean, white-tiled space included a shower, sink, toilet, and mirror, all arranged efficiently. Lucas let out a sigh of relief—having a proper bathroom was a small comfort but one he desperately needed after all he had been through.
With only 1,900 Karma points left, Lucas paused. He still had some resources, but he wanted to be strategic about his next steps. The building was beginning to feel like a real home now, complete with a room for himself, food, and even the beginnings of an entertainment area. The possibilities for what he could do next were endless, but for now, he felt he had accomplished enough.
Lucas walked back into the Food Bar, taking a seat at one of the tables. The shop was quiet, but the silence was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of his life outside these walls. He looked around, marveling at how much had changed in such a short amount of time.
As he sipped his drink, Lucas couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The Karma system had allowed him to rebuild his life in ways he never thought possible, and the shop—once a run-down relic—was now a place filled with potential. There was still much work to be done, but for the first time since waking up in that alley, Lucas felt like he was in control of his destiny.
But that control came with responsibility. And with the thugs still out there, somewhere, he knew that peace wouldn't last forever.