Starfield: Back to the Grind - walkthrough Starfield guide, tips

Back to the Grind mission is the beginning of the Ryujin Industries faction's quest line in the Starfield game. The walkthrough from our guide explains how to apply for a job and how to fill out the questionnaire, how to pass the interview and how to play the confrontation with Tomo in TerraBrew.

Last update: 07 September 2023

Back to the Grind is a faction quest in Starfield you must complete to join Ryujin Industries. Our walkthrough explains how to fill out the survey and conduct an interview to be hired by the corporation. You'll also learn what to do when confronting Tomo at TerraBrew Coffee.

• Applying for a job at a Ryujin Industries booth
• Taking part in an interview
• Dealing with Tomo
• Delivering coffee and talking to Imogene

Applying for a job at a Ryujin Industries booth

1. Completing this quest lets you join Ryujin Industries - one of the five main factions in Starfield.
2. Look for the Ryujin Industries stall - they're red. One such stall is next to the New Atlantis shopping district you'll visit very early on.

1. Choose the first available option - apply for a job. You must complete the survey by selecting your answers.
2. The exact answers don't matter. You can progress through the quest and join Ryujin Industries even if you deliberately pick the stupidest answers available.

Taking part in an interview

1. After sending the survey you'll be invited to an interview. Return to your ship and jump to the Volii system. You must land in the city of Neon on the planet Volii Alpha.
2. Enter the Ryujin Industries skyscraper and use the elevator to reach the Operations floor. You can talk to Lane Garza if you'd like, but your interviewer is Imogene Salzo.
3. Sit down in the chair. Again, you're free to say whatever you want - you don't need to pass the persuasion check either. You'll be hired for a trial period.

Dealing with Tomo

Your first assignment is to get some coffee from TerraBrew Coffee. Leave the skyscraper and go to the Neon city cafe. When you try to pick up the order, you'll be confronted by Tomo, a fired employee. You can:

1. Persuade him - Tomo will lower his weapon and leave peacefully.
2. Kill Tomo - you can fight him right away, or he'll attack you if you've failed the persuasion check. Watch out not to hit any other cafe guests.

Delivering coffee and talking to Imogene

1. Regardless of how you've handled the situation, grab the coffee and go back to the skyscraper. Tell Imogene you've met Tomo - she won't mind even if you've killed him.
2. You'll be promoted to the junior position. Talk to four people in the conference room while delivering them coffee - Linden Calderi, Genevieve Monohan, Camden Cho and Alexys Pryce.
3. Once you're done, go see Imogene again. This unlocks a new quest for Ryujin Industries - One Step Ahead. You'll also receive XP, 4,800 credits, 2 digipicks and the Hippolyta consumable.