Chapter 2 — The First Weapon
Arc 1 — Rebirth of the Weapon Genius
The morning light crept slowly through the thin curtains of Adrian Valenrique's dorm room.
Most students were still asleep.
But Adrian had not slept at all.
He sat in the chair beside his desk, staring at the glowing blue interface hovering in front of him. The Weapon Design System floated silently in the air like a futuristic control panel.
If someone else had walked into the room, they would have seen nothing.
But to Adrian, the display was crystal clear.
Rows of data.
Floating schematics.
Weapon blueprints rotating slowly in three-dimensional projections.
Adrian rubbed his eyes once, not out of exhaustion, but to confirm something.
The interface was still there.
Still real.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"So it wasn't a dream."
The events of the previous night replayed in his mind.
Marcus's betrayal.
The gunshot.
His death.
And then—
Regression.
Ten years into the past.
Followed by the appearance of the Weapon Design System.
Adrian leaned forward and began navigating through the system interface.
His engineering instincts took over immediately.
If the system was truly capable of providing advanced weapon technology, then understanding its functions was the first priority.
A small menu opened in the corner of the display.
System Functions Available:
Blueprint OptimizationMaterial AnalyzerSimulation Mode
Adrian tapped the first option.
A blueprint instantly expanded into a larger display.
Blueprint Optimization
The system began running calculations.
Numbers flickered rapidly across the screen.
Weapon stability.
Material efficiency.
Energy transfer.
Every mechanical variable was being evaluated.
Then the blueprint shifted slightly.
Small design adjustments appeared.
A reinforced slide.
Improved spring tension.
Better heat dissipation.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
"It's optimizing the design…"
But that wasn't the most surprising part.
The system wasn't simply improving the weapon based on theoretical perfection.
It was adjusting the design based on current technological limitations.
Metals available in the modern era.
Manufacturing tools commonly used in small workshops.
Production tolerances that could realistically be achieved.
Adrian whispered quietly.
"So it adapts to what I can actually build."
This wasn't a fantasy system giving impossible technology.
It was a practical tool.
One designed specifically for manufacturing.
Adrian selected the second function.
Material Analyzer
A new panel appeared.
Lists of metals and alloys filled the screen.
The system displayed suggestions for materials available in the current year.
Steel types.
Lightweight alloys.
Composite materials.
Each one accompanied by recommendations for weapon durability and weight balance.
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Incredible…"
Even experienced weapons engineers spent months researching optimal materials.
Yet the system provided the information instantly.
Finally, Adrian activated the third function.
Simulation Mode
The blueprint expanded again.
A digital firing range appeared.
The pistol design loaded automatically.
A virtual weapon fired repeatedly.
The system displayed detailed results.
Accuracy.
Recoil pattern.
Barrel stress.
Durability after thousands of rounds.
Adrian watched the simulation carefully.
Every shot landed with near-perfect consistency.
The recoil curve was minimal.
The weapon's durability rating was far above average.
Adrian leaned back slightly.
"This system…"
"It doesn't just give ideas."
"It makes sure the weapon works."
That realization was important.
Many engineers could design weapons.
But building something that functioned perfectly in real-world conditions was far more difficult.
The Weapon Design System eliminated that uncertainty.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"Good."
Now he needed to choose his first weapon.
He opened the blueprint catalog.
Several options appeared.
Available Beginner Blueprints:
Compact Submachine GunPrecision RifleAdvanced HandgunSmart Targeting System
Adrian studied each one carefully.
The submachine gun had excellent firepower.
But it required complex machining and larger components.
The precision rifle was extremely powerful.
But it required expensive materials and precise barrel manufacturing.
The smart targeting system looked impressive.
But it required electronic components that would attract attention during testing.
Adrian dismissed all three options.
Too complicated.
Too expensive.
Too noticeable.
For someone starting with limited resources, the choice was obvious.
He selected the final blueprint.
Advanced Handgun
The schematic expanded instantly.
A sleek modular pistol rotated slowly in the air.
The weapon looked elegant.
Compact.
Efficient.
Adrian examined every component.
Short barrel.
Reinforced slide.
Modular grip system.
Interchangeable firing mechanism.
He could already see the advantages.
Pistols were easy to conceal.
Easy to transport.
And most importantly—
Always in demand.
From law enforcement to criminals, from private security firms to mercenary groups.
Everyone needed reliable sidearms.
Adrian nodded.
"This is the one."
The system labeled the weapon:
Prototype: VRS-01 Modular Combat Pistol
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"VRS-01…"
He chuckled softly.
"Not very memorable."
He looked at the blueprint again.
Then quietly said,
"Let's call you something better."
His fingers hovered over the system interface.
Adrian typed a new name.
Ghost Pistol
A simple name.
But one that perfectly described the weapon's purpose.
Silent.
Deadly.
Invisible.
Adrian closed the blueprint panel and prepared to begin development.
But before he could proceed—
A notification appeared.
System Notice
Illegal weapon manufacturing detected.
Risk Level: Moderate.
Recommendation: Secure private workshop.
Adrian stared at the message.
Then he laughed.
Of course.
Building firearms in a college dorm room would be incredibly stupid.
Even if the university never discovered it, the sound of metal machining alone would attract attention.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"I'll need a workshop."
Fortunately, he had something most people didn't.
Knowledge of the future.
Adrian closed his eyes for a moment.
Memories surfaced from his previous life.
Business deals.
Industrial properties.
Local manufacturing districts.
Then something clicked.
Two weeks from now, a small machining workshop in the industrial district would go bankrupt.
He remembered it clearly.
At the time, Adrian had briefly considered buying it for Valenrique Arms.
But the company had chosen another location.
Later, that exact workshop became the base of a black-market gunsmith network.
Adrian opened his eyes.
"So that's where it started."
The opportunity was obvious.
If he moved now, he could acquire the workshop before anyone else noticed its potential.
Adrian smiled faintly.
"That'll be my first base."
He opened his laptop and began researching immediately.
Machining tools.
Metal suppliers.
Barrel manufacturers.
Firearm components.
Adrian's engineering mind calculated costs rapidly.
Steel alloys.
Precision cutting tools.
Hand-operated machining equipment.
Within an hour, he had a rough estimate.
Then he checked his bank account.
Adrian stared at the screen silently.
Then sighed.
"Barely enough."
Even with his savings and small student funds…
He could only afford to build one prototype.
Just one.
Adrian leaned back in his chair and laughed quietly.
"One weapon…"
"But if it's good enough…"
"That's all I need."
As he continued researching, something unexpected appeared in one of his search results.
A strange link buried deep in a firearm discussion forum.
Curious, Adrian clicked it.
A dark webpage loaded.
The design was crude.
Unpolished.
But the content was fascinating.
Private weapon listings.
Encrypted communication threads.
Buyers requesting specific firearms.
Sellers offering rare weapons.
Adrian recognized the site instantly.
His eyes narrowed.
"This place…"
In the future, this forum would grow into one of the largest illegal weapon marketplaces in Asia.
But right now?
It was still small.
Unregulated.
Barely known.
Which meant something very important.
No competition.
Adrian leaned forward.
"If I introduce something revolutionary here…"
His lips curled slightly.
"The underground market will explode."
He scrolled through several listings.
Mercenaries.
Private security contractors.
Weapon collectors.
Even a few suspicious buyers with anonymous profiles.
The market was already active.
But no one was selling anything truly advanced.
Adrian closed the laptop slowly.
His first customers would not be governments.
Nor corporations.
They would be the underground.
The people who valued weapon performance above everything else.
Suddenly, the television across the room turned on automatically.
A news broadcast began playing.
Adrian glanced at the screen.
Then froze.
The headline appeared immediately.
VALENRIQUE ARMS ANNOUNCES REVOLUTIONARY NEW HANDGUN
Marcus Valenrique appeared on the screen.
Dressed in a perfect suit.
Standing confidently in front of reporters.
The pistol displayed behind him looked painfully familiar.
Adrian's stolen design.
Marcus spoke proudly.
"This weapon represents the future of personal firearms."
Executives beside him nodded enthusiastically.
One reporter asked,
"Mr. Valenrique, how did you develop such an innovative design?"
Marcus smiled modestly.
"It was the result of years of research and engineering."
Adrian watched silently.
No anger.
No shouting.
Just calm observation.
Because he now understood something Marcus didn't.
That pistol Marcus was presenting…
Was already obsolete.
Compared to the weapon Adrian was about to build.
Adrian switched off the television.
"Enjoy the spotlight while it lasts."
He reopened the Weapon Design System.
The Ghost Pistol blueprint rotated slowly in front of him.
Adrian took a deep breath.
Then pressed the command.
START PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT
The system responded immediately.
Mission Started
Build the VRS-01 Prototype.
Reward: Advanced Weapon Blueprint Database.
Adrian smiled.
"The first step."
Toward something much bigger.
Toward something Marcus could never imagine.
Toward an empire.
Adrian closed the interface.
But just before the screen faded—
Another notification appeared.
Hidden Feature Unlocked
Weapon Market Prediction.
A holographic map appeared.
A red point blinked steadily in the center.
Adrian leaned closer.
The text beneath the location appeared.
Manila Underground Auction — 7 Days
Weapons.
Buyers.
Dealers.
Mercenaries.
All gathered in one place.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
He whispered quietly.
"Looks like the market…"
"…will come to me."
Adrian leaned back slowly in his chair, the faint glow of the laptop screen reflecting in his eyes.
The underground forum remained open on the screen.
Usernames filled the page—most of them clearly fake.
ShadowDealer47.IronFox.SilentWolf.MercUnit_03.
Each post contained encrypted contact details and vague descriptions of weapon offers.
Adrian scrolled carefully.
Some sellers were offering standard firearms—old pistols, outdated rifles, even surplus military equipment.
Others were clearly middlemen trying to flip stolen weapons.
Nothing particularly impressive.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"So this is the underground market right now."
Primitive.
Unorganized.
Yet the potential was enormous.
In his previous life, Adrian had eventually learned that this exact forum would evolve into one of the largest black-market weapon exchanges in Southeast Asia.
But that transformation would take years.
Right now, the community was still small enough that a single powerful supplier could dominate it.
Adrian's mind began calculating possibilities.
If he introduced a revolutionary weapon here…
Word would spread quickly.
Mercenary groups talked.
Private security companies compared equipment.
Black market buyers were always searching for something better.
And once people realized a superior weapon existed—
Demand would explode.
Adrian tapped the desk lightly with his fingers.
"But first…"
He needed proof.
No one in the underground market would trust a new supplier without evidence.
They would need to see the weapon perform.
Which meant one thing.
The Ghost Pistol had to work flawlessly.
Adrian reopened the Weapon Design System.
The modular pistol blueprint expanded again, glowing faintly in the air.
He studied the design more carefully now.
The internal mechanism was surprisingly elegant.
The recoil spring system used a dual-axis stabilization design.
That alone would reduce kickback dramatically.
The barrel alignment mechanism also included micro-adjustment slots that allowed for near-perfect accuracy calibration.
Adrian's eyes sparkled slightly.
"This is genius."
Even with modern firearm engineering knowledge, he doubted he could have designed something this refined on his own.
The system had taken his original ideas and elevated them to another level.
Adrian switched the interface into Simulation Mode again.
The virtual firing range appeared.
The Ghost Pistol fired repeatedly.
Shot after shot.
Perfect grouping.
Minimal recoil.
Heat levels remained stable even after extended firing.
Adrian watched silently.
After several seconds, the simulation ended.
Performance Rating: Excellent
Adrian nodded once.
"That'll do."
But performance alone wasn't enough.
Durability mattered just as much.
He ran another simulation.
This time the weapon fired continuously.
Hundreds of rounds.
Then thousands.
The barrel temperature rose.
Internal components experienced stress.
But the pistol remained stable.
The system finally ended the test after 8,000 rounds.
Durability Rating: Exceptional
Adrian leaned back again.
"That's more than enough."
Most pistols required maintenance long before reaching that level of wear.
If the Ghost Pistol could perform like this in reality, it would immediately stand out in the underground market.
Adrian closed the simulation.
Then he opened the Material Analyzer again.
The system began recommending specific metal alloys available in the current market.
Several options appeared.
Standard carbon steel.
Reinforced stainless steel.
Lightweight aluminum alloys.
Each option displayed different performance outcomes.
Adrian chose a balanced configuration.
Strong enough to handle recoil.
Light enough for comfortable use.
Most importantly—
Affordable.
He checked the estimated cost again.
His funds were still painfully limited.
If he made a mistake during manufacturing…
He would not have enough money to build another prototype.
Adrian stared at the cost breakdown for several seconds.
Then he shrugged slightly.
"High risk."
"But high reward."
He had taken bigger risks in his previous life.
At least this time he had the system guiding him.
Adrian stood up and stretched slightly.
The early morning sunlight was beginning to brighten the sky outside.
He walked to the window and looked down at the street.
Students were starting their day.
Cars filled the roads.
Vendors opened small shops along the sidewalks.
Everything looked normal.
Peaceful.
But Adrian knew the truth.
Beneath the surface of every modern city existed another world.
A world of power struggles.
Illegal deals.
Shadow organizations.
And weapons.
Adrian's reflection stared back at him in the glass.
In his previous life, he had spent years trying to climb the legitimate business ladder.
Trying to build success through the traditional weapons industry.
But the system had just revealed a much faster path.
The underground market didn't care about regulations.
It cared about performance.
If Adrian could deliver weapons that no one else could build—
Then buyers would come.
From everywhere.
Adrian returned to the desk and opened the system interface one more time.
The Ghost Pistol blueprint hovered patiently.
Waiting.
Adrian placed his hand over the command panel.
His voice was calm.
"Let's begin."
He pressed the confirmation command.
PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT INITIATED
The blueprint expanded.
Manufacturing steps appeared in sequence.
Component machining.
Barrel alignment.
Trigger assembly.
Final calibration.
Adrian studied each step carefully.
This would require precision.
But nothing here was beyond his skills.
He had been designing weapons for years.
Now he would finally build one without anyone standing in his way.
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smile.
Somewhere in the city, Marcus Valenrique was probably celebrating his new reputation as a weapon genius.
Enjoying interviews.
Signing contracts.
Basking in the spotlight.
Adrian didn't care.
Because while Marcus was showing off a stolen design—
Adrian was about to create something far superior.
And this time…
No one would take it from him.
The system screen pulsed softly.
The words glowed in the air.
MISSION ACTIVE
Build the VRS-01 Ghost Pistol.
Adrian looked at the rotating blueprint one last time.
Then quietly whispered,
"This world runs on weapons."
"And I'm going to sell them."
Outside the window, the city continued its morning routine.
But somewhere in the shadows of Manila…
The foundation of a future arms empire had just begun to take shape.
One prototype at a time.