Chapter 95: New Customers, Progress. Two hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Over halfway to the shop upgrade. The numbers provided grounding that philosophical questions couldn’t match. Whatever moral dilemmas awaited him, his business continued thriving beyond his wildest expectations. 3,220 shop points. I still need 1,780 more for the Level 2 shop upgrade. Progress felt inevitable rather than uncertain in the current conditions of the market. His demon customers had been enthusiastic about his pricing and product, making the threshold more a matter of time than effort. Twenty in all combat-relevant attributes. If I’m going to face dangerous situations, at least I’m not completely helpless. Although I still need to increase my vitality attributes, I’m not sure how. Still need to figure out my elemental affinity. Noah pulled up the auto-maker progress displays, expecting to see continued advancement toward the next tier of production capability. — [Auto-IceTea] Level: 2 Production Rate: 1 Iced Tea every hour Max Stock: 24 Progress: 100/100 — [Auto-Baker] Level: 2 Production Rate: 2 Loaves every hour Max Stock: 24 Progress: 86/100 — Huh? Why isn’t it upgrading to Level 3? The Auto-IceTea maker had reached maximum progress but remained stubbornly at Level 2. Noah frowned at the interface, expecting some kind of error or delayed processing. "System, why isn’t my Auto-IceTea upgrading? It’s at one hundred percent progress." [Host, you cannot upgrade auto-makers beyond Level 2 until your shop reaches Level 2. The current shop level restricts maximum auto-maker advancement. Once you achieve Level 2 shop status, any auto-makers meeting progress requirements will automatically upgrade.] Of course. Another limitation I didn’t know about. The explanation made sense from a game design perspective—prevent individual components from outpacing overall development. But it still felt frustrating to see completed progress bars that couldn’t advance. Need that shop upgrade more than I thought. It’s not just about new products—it’s about removing artificial caps on my existing systems. At current earning rates, maybe four days. Less if demon demand continues exceeding the supply, and I put in more time and effort into selling. The Auto-Baker would hit the same wall once it completed its progress cycle. Both machines would remain capped at current production levels until his overall shop advanced. Noah closed the status displays and headed toward his new bedroom, mentally planning the timelines for various advancement goals. Shop upgrade, elemental affinity discovery, vitality enhancement, and dojo training progression. Too many priorities. Focus on what matters most. The shop upgrade would unlock multiple advancement paths simultaneously. That made it the logical priority. ... [Your daily income has been rewarded: Demonica Moonburgh Card] [Your reward is in your inventory. You can use the card and the reward will be summoned.] The next day arrived with Sin City’s blend of chaos and opportunity. Noah stepped through his portal into the familiar confines of his shop, where Moon and three stars pulsed with gentle energy that made the air itself feel alive. Another day of work. Let’s see what the demon market brings today. His shelves displayed their usual tempting array. The auto-makers had worked through the night, ensuring his inventory remained stocked for anyone who wandered through his door. Upon staying in the demon kingdom for nearly six days, Noah had realised that the demons were actually quite cool; they were nice and straightforward despite the dangers. He had also realised that the demon kingdom didn’t have any foreign visitors. Clearly, the demons were heavily misunderstood by their neighbouring kingdoms. The language barrier, their looks and the extremists’ bloodshed are creating a huge misunderstanding. Twenty-four bottles, twenty-four loaves. Time to make some money and earn some shop points. The familiar chime announced his first customer before Noah had finished his morning breakfast. A middle-aged demon with scarred hands approached the counter. "I’ll take the usual," he said, placing thirty golden coins on the counter. I love regular customers. They’re the backbone of any successful business. The transaction completed smoothly, and another satisfied customer departed with his provisions that would enhance his daily survival prospects. But Noah’s attention was caught by voices outside his shop. A group of demons clustered near his entrance, engaged in a discussion. "...told you about this place. Best healing bread in the entire district..." "...mana enhancement that actually works, not like those watered-down potions..." "...It’s cheap too, it’s worth every coin if you’re serious about advancement..." The group entered together, their expressions a blend of curiosity and cautiousness. They had clearly heard about his shop, but they were hesitant, wanting to verify the claims personally. "Welcome to the Idle Shop." Noah greeted them with a warm smile that put people at ease. "First time visiting?" A young demoness with silver horns nodded enthusiastically. "Our friend Drakth told us about your products. He said they were... exceptional." Noah didn’t know the names of all his customers, but he nodded as if he knew the demon regardless. "What would you recommend for someone just starting serious adventuring?" asked a hulking demon whose massive frame suggested strength-focused combat preferences. "Depends on your needs, whether you are a tank that focuses on his vitality and needs it constantly replenished, or whether you are a mage that needs their mana to be high and constantly regenerated," Noah replied, gesturing toward his display. "The healing bread accelerates natural recovery by thirty percent. The iced tea provides mana enhancement by thirty percent, too. They both last for ten minutes." The group exchanged glances before the silver-horned demoness stepped forward. "I’ll try the bread first." Noah wrapped a loaf with careful attention, watching as she unwrapped it and took an experimental bite. Her eyes widened as the healing effect flooded her body in soft, soothing waves. "This is... incredible. I can actually feel my body optimising itself." And there’s the hook. First-time customers always react like that. "The enhancement is noticeable," Noah confirmed. "Most people report improved energy levels and faster recovery from training fatigue." The hulking demon reached for his coin pouch without hesitation. "One of each. If it’s half as good as she makes it look..." Noah provided the items and watched as the iced tea triggered an even more dramatic response. The demon’s mana reserves visibly expanded, his aura brightening with his new enhanced magical capacity.