31. Strength Demonstration 1 & 2

I wasn’t heartless enough to send my citizens to work on an empty stomach!

So I promptly provided them with a free steak breakfast. Just the raw ingredients, of course. They handled the cooking themselves. Now that I finally had a healthy balance of Castle Points, spending one or two points on food felt like nothing! Of course, food costs could add up fast once I had more citizens. For now, though, I let them enjoy their privileged treatment.

Half an hour later, it was time for my experiments.

First, I spent points to purchase five units of Stone.

Apparently, I could materialize them as five separate 10 kg blocks… or as one massive 50 kg slab. This time, I chose the latter.

The enormous block materialized with a heavy thud in the courtyard. The impact immediately caught the goblins’ attention. Both rushed outside to investigate the sudden noise.

The moment their feet crossed the threshold, I slapped a quest scroll onto the surface of the stone.

【Quest: Strength Demonstration #1!】

• Quest Info: Your ruler wishes to evaluate your strength. Mighty follower, lift this block of stone overhead to prove your worth!

• Quest Type: One-Time

• Objective: Lift the 50 kg stone over your head and hold it steady for 2 seconds.

• Reward: 1 chicken drumstick

Gopuro was faster. He snatched the scroll and accepted it before Gopuran even had a chance.

[Ding! Gopuro has accepted your “Strength Demonstration #1” quest!]

The goblin girl let out an indignant yell and pouted furiously, cheeks puffed out in clear frustration.

But Gopuro didn’t even faze. He just laughed triumphantly, like a warrior who’d just claimed victory in single combat!

And as a result, even though Gopuran was visibly seething with jealousy, she could only cross her arms, stomp one foot, and shoot him a glare that could’ve curdled milk.

(Haha, this guy is definitely no gentleman!) I chuckled inwardly at their antics.

(Don’t worry, Gopuran. There’ll be more quests after this! You’ll get your turn soon enough!)

Gopuro then shoved his partner aside to clear space for his performance.

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The guy was seriously buff with muscles thick and rock-hard, like those of a super professional bodybuilder. So, I had no doubt this would be child’s play for him.

He gripped the block with both hands, planted his feet, and let out a sharp grunt.

“Rarr!”

With powerful motion, he hoisted the 50 kg stone overhead and held it steady.

[Ding! Gopuro has completed your “Strength Demonstration 01” quest!]

Gopuro hurled the slab aside the instant the task completed, letting out a triumphant roar.

The chicken drumstick materialized in his hand, and he devoured it right in front of Gopuran’s face, complete with a smug little smirk.

(Oh haha, this bastard!) I chuckled.

Gopuran kept pouting, hands planted firmly on her hips, her green skin flushing a deeper, embarrassed reddish hue.

(Now then… time for round two.)

(Gopuran, you’ve got to be faster this time!)

(You have more speed than Gopuro, right? I believe in you!)

I absorbed the stone back into my inventory, then materialized a new one—exactly double the previous weight: 100 kg!

BAM!

It crashed down, kicking up a cloud of dust.

I immediately slapped another quest scroll onto its surface. The objective was identical: lift it overhead and hold for 2 seconds, but this time for 2 chicken drumsticks.