In her new body, Mariko looked nothing like the girl the world had once dismissed.
Her skin glowed with a gentle radiance, and her features, though still uniquely hers, carried an inherent elegance that had been hidden beneath layers of insecurity.
Yet the screen's progress bars were a reminder that perfection was still a journey.
The system explained that each skill could be honed through practice, challenges, and real-life experiences.
Determined, Mariko—now embracing the name "Mari" in her reborn form—set out on her path.
The interface detailed her first quest: "Attend a local talent showcase and perform a dance routine." With trembling anticipation, she ventured into the city's bustling district, where neon lights and street performers blurred the line between reality and fantasy.
At the showcase, Mari felt both exhilaration and fear. As the music began, her heart pounded, and the system chimed softly, awarding her experience points as she moved. With each graceful step and every daring leap, her "Dancing" bar inched upward. The audience, initially skeptical of this unassuming performer, soon became captivated by the raw passion in her movements. It was not perfection she exuded, but an earnest desire to transcend her past limitations.