Equipment mattered in COVENANT—but ATP mattered more.
That was where most "pros" stumbled. They came in from other titles thinking experience and fast hands would carry them, forgetting this was their first time in full VR where levels meant little and execution meant everything. Ren had met plenty of so-called newbies who fought better than veterans because they understood the body, not the keyboard. In COVENANT, finger speed didn't decide outcomes. Reflex, timing, reading the space around you—that did.
This wasn't a controller RPG.
This was VR.
Silvia leaned toward him, voice barely above the crowd's hum. "Do you want me to buy—"
"No," Ren said, firm enough to cut the thought cleanly in half.
Taking payment for services was business. Being pitied was not. He had his pride—and he'd get his own gear, on his own terms.
Silvia closed her mouth, cheeks cooling. The offer had been sincere, but his refusal told her enough; pushing would only disrespect him. She shelved the idea.
