Pete emerged into a vast chamber, completely alone and with no sign of the others in his party. Ahead of him sat three stone plinths, on which sat three weapons that were illuminated by streams of light coming from above.

  Behind the plinths, a huge field stretched off into the distance, organized in perfectly straight rows with metallic plants arranged on either side of each row. It looked like a vineyard or some other farm plot, but instead of vegetables or fruit, the field boasted rows of weaponry all in different stages of development.

  "A weapon farm," Pete mused.

  [Nero] Precisely as the term suggests, yes. What you are seeing is a visual representation of the weapons farms that dominate the southern regions of the largest continent on Belch Prime. There are millions of farms like this, growing all manner of weaponry to be refined and sold in Company facilities throughout Dominion space.

  "So...farms, not factories?"

  [Nero] It was not always this way. Prior to the emergence of the Dominion, weapons and other common mechanical components were assembled in factories, as you might expect. When the Tongsly Belch Corporation rose to dominance, however, they discovered a little-known race subsequently termed the Ferraborn, situated on a distant planet far from the Dominion core. The Ferraborn practice a strange form of ferrous cultivation in which the various mechanical and metal-based items they require are grown rather than built. The practice is much more efficient and less wasteful than traditional methods of machine construction, so the Company picked up the entire population of the small, backwater planet and resituated them on Belch Prime during the early years of the Dominion. Since that time, Ferraborn farmers have been used to farm both mechanical components and weaponry used by the Company and sold through Tongsly Belch distributors across the cosmos.

  Pete looked out into the distance, trying to focus on the fields of strange, metallic plants that glinted in the sun. Here and there, he could see strange, lithe figures moving between the various stalks, bulbs, and fruit pods that hung from vines and trees running along the rows of plants. The figures boasted thin, humanoid bodies with bulbous heads that seemed to contain a strange selection of eyes that flared with different colors, forming hypnotic patterns as they worked. Each had long, silvery limbs, and they were clothed in simple white robes.

  [Nero] The Ferraborn communicate primarily via sight. The combination of different light colors and sequences they make with their eyes forms a complex and intimate language, which informs both emotional state and information.

  Pete found himself fixated on the strange creatures. He'd already been confronted with dozens of goblins, hobgoblins, and an array of alien technology, but somehow these creatures seemed infinitely more alien. He wanted to ask how a metallic weapon could be grown and whether the weapons he and his crew would choose would be part organic and part inorganic, but before the questions reached his lips, he caught sight of the three weapons that had been presented in front of him.

  They floated above their plinths, suspended in midair as though held in place by the light that illuminated them from above. To the left was a short sword with a broken padlock placed at the center of the pommel. It was exquisitely crafted—or grown, Pete supposed—and it looked like a perfect fit for Pete's hand. Other than the broken lock on its pommel, the sword was a relatively simple weapon. The blade was around twenty inches long, with cutting edges on either side coming to a sharp point and a fuller running from the cross-guard to around six inches from the point.

  Pete felt an overpowering urge to reach out and grab it, to test its weight and strength. Before he could do so, however, he caught sight of the bow and quiver floating above the middle plinth. Like the sword, the bow was relatively simple in design, fashioned from light wood rather than metal, with a broken padlock carved into the side of the handle and the name Vault Breaker written in ornate script at the center of the lock. The quiver was a simple leather pouch filled with a dozen or so arrows with plain white fletching.

  "So, what's the deal with these?" Pete asked, turning his attention to the final weapon. "Am I just seeing the baseline version of the weapon, but as I progress I can upgrade it?"

  [Nero] Exactly so. Each weapon here will contain only baseline stats. The weapon will not possess any specific abilities; however, you will be able to use your existing skills with each weapon. Your berserker rage stance, for example, will function perfectly well with the sword, just as your Coinpiercer charged shot ability will work with the bow. The difference is that the weapon you choose will be soulbound to you. It will grow and develop just as you do. Each new proficiency you gain will add something to the weapon, potentially at least. An increased Dodge proficiency, for example, may not specifically add anything new to a bow, but an additional point in Stamina might improve the efficiency of your shots.

  Pete looked at the third weapon, frowning over at what looked like a steampunk-style, double-barrel shotgun.

  "I can purposefully upgrade the weapon though, right?"

  [Nero] Augments can be purchased for your weapon, yes. These can either be looted from elite enemies or bosses, or they can be found in random chests throughout the game or purchased from Tongsly Belch Vendo-o-matic machines. In addition, from time to time, you will also be able to spend attribute points on weapon augments rather than adding them to your profile. If this option is available, you will be notified when you acquire the new points. Several quests specifically offer attribute points as a reward, which can be spent in this manner. Depending on how the System has structured the game this season as well as the nature of your Penny Pincher class, you may also be given the opportunity to complete specific side quests that unlock new abilities for your weapon.

  Pete nodded, moving closer to the shotgun and squinting at it.

  "Okay, so I can buy augments, loot them, find them if I'm lucky, or trade attributes for them, sometimes?"

  [Nero] Precisely.

  The shotgun looked like an old-fashioned style firearm that had been attacked by someone with a glue gun, a pile of cogs and brass switches, and an out-of-control crafting fetish. Pete found himself wondering whether the gun would take standard shotgun shells or if it would require a different type of ammunition. He stayed well away from the weapon, not wanting to accidentally trigger a connection to the gun. If he was going to choose a ranged weapon, it would be the bow, largely because of the stealth advantages of such a weapon given his Insolvency debuff.

  As he stepped back from the plinths, Pete began to consider the choice before him.

  "So, the System is forcing me to choose between a melee and a ranged weapon? I can't take both."

  [Nero] You can only take one weapon, yes, but there are augments that can adapt your soulbound weapon for a multitude of purposes. The sword is primarily for melee fighting, yes, but you might look to implement a throwing return augment, which would allow you to use the weapon at range and return it to your side after each throw. In like fashion, as you have already seen before, arrows can be used as an effective melee weapon when you have no other choice. It would also be possible to acquire an augment that would allow you to use some of your arrows more like daggers. The scope of your weapon is limited only by your own imagination and your ability to level up your skills and acquire augments.

  Pete nodded, standing between the bow and sword, thinking through the benefits and shortfalls of each.

  "I can use my berserker subclass with each weapon," he mused, "and stealth as well."

  [Nero] Correct. Though primary berserker abilities tend to work better with a melee weapon because they are predicated on translating damage you take into increased critical strike chance and so on. In the future, it is likely you will also gain damage mitigation and even healing spells, which synergize with a melee berserker stance. That is not to say that berserker abilities cannot be used while fighting at range, but they will always be more effective up close.

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  "And I'll be getting more spells for my berserker subclass, right?"

  [Nero] I would say so, yes. Though the Penny Pincher class itself is unique, remember? So I am unable to say with certainty what future abilities both the larger class and this berserker subclass might hold. It stands to reason, however, that damage mitigation and healing will be among the future abilities that are unlocked, given that this is the way berserker classes tend to progress.

  Pete nodded. "Am I allowed to pick up the weapons? Try them out before I make my choice?"

  [Nero] Of course. You can test each weapon as you wish. A weapon will only become soulbound when you exit this building holding onto it.

  "And the others in the group? They're going through a similar process?"

  [Nero] There will be differences, but essentially the choice of three weapons will be presented to each of them, yes. They will be required to choose, as you are now.

  Pete wasn't sure why he gravitated to the bow first, but he reached out and touched the wood, finding it to be cool and smooth to the touch. As he picked up the bow and pulled an arrow from the quiver, he noted the difference in weight and size compared to his other bow. This one was larger but slightly lighter. The handgrip was simple but well-suited to his hand. When he notched an arrow and pulled it back, he found the string tension to be a little tighter than his other bow, and it took more effort to pull it fully back.

  "Can I fire it?"

  [Nero] Of course. There are target dummies off to your left.

  Pete turned and saw three humanoid-shaped dummies a short distance away. They looked like they were made of wood and straw, with a small target disc the size of a dinner plate on their chests. Still holding the arrow at full draw, he aimed at the middle target and fired. The arrow whistled through the air and thudded into the target, missing the bullseye and hitting the bottom right area of the disc.

  Pete pulled out a second and third arrow and repeated the exercise, quickly adapting and shifting his aim to account for the bow's slightly different arcing trajectory compared to his old bow. On the third shot, he hit the bullseye. The arrow thudded into the target disc with a dull thwack, and he felt a thrill of excitement at the fact.

  Even as a baseline weapon with no augments, the bow was far better than the one he'd been using thus far.

  "Feels good. More solid somehow. Feels like it would be more dependable, I guess."

  [Nero] You should find that each of these weapons is of far better quality than those you have been using. The Ferraborn know their business, and soulbound weapons such as these are their specialty. When you advance a little further and begin augmenting your soulbound weapon, the difference will grow exponentially.

  Pete placed the bow back on top of the plinth, and it hovered in place, caught by the light and suspended above the stone. He felt a pang of regret as he let go of the weapon and moved to the shortsword.

  As he picked up the sword, he felt the same kind of confidence he'd experienced with the bow. The weapon was well-balanced and seemed to be perfectly suited to his hand, his overall size, and current strength. The blade was remarkably light, and it moved through the air with such precision and speed that it made Pete realize just how bad the oversized machete actually was.

  As he struck one of the practice dummies, Pete began to understand just how bad he actually was at using the weapon. With the machete, attacking was just a matter of hacking and slashing with as much force as possible, but the shortsword was a much more precise weapon. Its lightweight nature also meant that he could swing and thrust much faster than with the hobgoblin blade. It was humbling to realize that he didn't actually know how to use the weapon, other than as a bludgeon or simply to thrust at the enemy.

  [Nero] You should note, Pete, that the more you use a weapon, the more your proficiencies relating to that weapon's usage will increase. This will not directly affect your technique, however. It will be possible, once you move beyond the novice arena, to gain training in your chosen weapon. Skill packets can be purchased from vending machines, but you will also occasionally come across individuals within the game who can actively assist you by teaching you new techniques and skills.

  Sweating now, Pete returned to the plinth and put the sword back in place.

  "It feels like I'd be able to use the bow much more effectively right off the bat, though."

  [Nero] You do show a good deal of natural talent for the bow, yes.

  "But I could be fighting in small spaces once we enter the arena, so the sword would be a better choice."

  The tower. That's what Liandra had called it; an office building that had been turned into an arena with enemies on each floor and a requirement to ascend to the very top in order to win. He and Sam had that information, but they hadn't told anyone else in the group because they didn't want the System to know they'd been talking with Liandra.

  [Nero] By the same token, you could be presented with an arena with vast open spaces, where having a ranged weapon would be most advantageous.

  Pete remembered the office building he routinely worked at, the office he was supposed to be working at right then. Even though the individual floors were of an open-plan design, there were still plenty of cubicles, desks, pillars, and other obstacles that would make fighting with a bow tricky. By contrast, there were lots of corridors and meeting rooms, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and breakout spaces where fighting with a melee weapon would be easiest.

  Then again, choosing a weapon purely based on the next area of the game he'd be entering probably wasn't the best idea. He had to consider what would be the best weapon choice in the long term and, whichever way he thought about it, the bow seemed a better choice.

  [Nero] Bear in mind that you will be fighting within a party for most of your Dominion Ultrimax experience, Pete. Consider the mix of ranged and melee fighters you have at your disposal, as that might inform your own choice of weapon.

  "Ollie is primarily melee, and he'll be able to soak up damage too. Coop is a tank, and I guess Grizzle is too. Sam's a summoner, but she's got Wolfy to handle melee damage. Torgo's something like an elementalist, so he's going to be fighting at range, and Craig can do either, but he seems to favor ranged attacks."

  [Nero] In the contest thus far, you have oscillated between melee and ranged fighting, often starting with the latter and then progressing to the former to finish a fight. Again, though, you will be able to augment your weapon to allow for either fighting style. The choice you make now will signal a preferred fighting style, but you will be able to adapt as the contest develops.

  "What about my existing weapons? I know you said that the soulbound weapon is gonna be much better, but could I still use the machete in a fight if I had to?"

  [Nero] You could, and the weapon would likely continue to do some damage during the early phases of the arena, but you will find it less and less effective as you progress.

  Pete stood back, considering each weapon and weighing the pros and cons of each.

  [Nero] If I may, Pete. While there are benefits to each weapon, the wiser choice might be to go with your gut, as you humans often say. Choose the weapon that you seem to have already gravitated toward. The bow and arrow.

  The moment Nero said those words, the choice was made. Pete had already been leaning toward the bow, despite the fact that he knew he was heading for an arena that would likely favor melee fighting. There was just something about the weapon that spoke to him. He was also much more confident that he'd be able to use the weapon effectively right away, whereas the sword would take a little more work to use properly, and he'd likely be reduced to hacking and slashing, which he could do with the machete if need be.

  Pete picked up the bow and quiver, slinging the latter over his shoulder.

  "Alright. I've made my choice."

  [Nero] Very well. Proceed to the exit.

  A rectangular stone door rose from the floor to Pete's right. The sound of stone scraping against stone filled the chamber as the exit rose to full height and stopped, the interior of the rectangular structure shimmering with golden light but completely opaque so that Pete couldn't see what lay beyond.

  Pete took one last look back at the other weapons hovering above their plinths and the strange scene of the weapon farm stretching off into the distance at the rear of the chamber. As he walked through the portal, he felt an odd sense of profundity, as though he was on the cusp of an important shift in his life. Perhaps it was because, when the Ultrimax contest had started, he'd been thrown into it without a clue of what waited for him, whereas now he understood exactly what was beyond the portal. He didn't know the specific details, but he knew there would be violence, struggle, political intrigue, and everything else that came with the Dominion Ultrimax Contest.

  This was a choice, he realized. Rather than being thrown into the game as he was at the start, he was choosing to pass through the portal and enter the novice arena. It was an important distinction, and Pete felt something else as light shimmered around him and he was transported to the arena floor.

  Determination, even excitement.

  Pete wanted to do more than simply survive. He didn't want to simply move from challenge to challenge, surviving by the skin of his teeth. He wanted to dominate. He wanted to level up his skill faster, to loot more, to make himself so powerful that he could conquer the game and whatever else came his way.

  The System was a brutal tool of oppression, a vast, all-powerful mechanism that enabled the brutal subjugation of countless people in many worlds. But it was also a gift. The invisible gauntlet Pete wore, the abilities and attributes he'd been able to amass so far. It had only been two days, but already he was twice the man he had been. If he could use the System, exploit its need for entertainment, and become so strong that even the Tongsly Belch Corporation couldn't put him down...

  Pete was done with fear, done with worrying about what might happen. The goal ahead was simple enough: reach the professional league no matter what it took to get there. That would be his North Star, and he'd use every tool at his disposal to reach that goal.

  "Bring it on."