Jason leaned against his dorm room door, breathing heavily. He had just completed the second task in his System Quest: earning recognition. And, somehow, he had done it. The entire night had been a blur of unfamiliar faces, words, and laughter. For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn't feel invisible. He didn't feel like the sad, awkward boy he had been before.
But as his chest continued to rise and fall with the remnants of his nervous energy, he couldn't help but wonder: Was it really him that people had noticed tonight? Or had it been the transformation? Was this all just the system working its magic, or had he somehow become someone else?
The blue screen popped up once more, cutting through his swirling thoughts.
Congratulations, host! You've completed two out of three tasks! Only one more to go: the final upgrade to your appearance!
Jason's heart skipped a beat. The final task. He had been hesitant about this from the beginning. After all, he had already undergone some changes, but how far could it really go? How much would the system push him? He had always felt like his physical appearance had been his biggest limitation, the thing that kept people from seeing him. If the system could change him even more, maybe — just maybe — it would be enough to change everything.
But what would that cost him? What was the price of perfection?
Do you wish to proceed with the final appearance upgrade, host?
Jason hesitated. The question lingered in the air like a heavy fog. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror once more. The changes were noticeable, yes. His face was more defined, his body leaner and stronger. But was he willing to go further? Was he ready to fully embrace what the system was offering him?
Warning: The appearance upgrade will drastically change your physical traits. You will appear closer to the ideal standard of beauty. Do you accept the consequences of this transformation?
Jason's hands clenched into fists. The question felt... final. There was no going back from this. If he agreed, he could never unmake the changes. He could never return to who he was.
But who was he now, anyway?
He could feel the desire for more pulsing inside him. A deep, gnawing need to finally be seen, to finally be enough. He had never been handsome, never been the type of guy that girls noticed. Maybe this was his chance. Maybe the system could give him the life he had always dreamed of — one where he wasn't overlooked.
He swallowed, feeling his pulse quicken.
Yes, he typed.
The screen flashed with confirmation, and in an instant, the world around him blurred. His body tingled once again, like a jolt of electricity running through his veins. The familiar rush of transformation flooded through him. But this time, it was different. This wasn't just a minor change. This was something deeper. More intense.
Jason's body seemed to reshape before his very eyes. His muscles grew more defined, his frame broadening in all the right places. His hair, already dark and thick, seemed to gain an even more natural shine, falling perfectly into place. His skin smoothed out, the minor imperfections disappearing like magic.
He stumbled back from the mirror, watching in awe as his reflection stared back at him. His jawline was sharper, his eyes brighter, his features symmetrical and strong. He didn't just look different; he looked... perfect. The ideal version of himself.
It was everything he had ever wanted.
But as he stared at himself in the mirror, a sinking feeling began to form in his stomach. His reflection was flawless — almost too flawless. It was as if the system had taken everything he hated about himself and molded it into something that society would deem beautiful. He looked like someone he had never seen before. Someone who didn't feel like him.
Was this really who he wanted to be?
Appearance Upgrade Complete.
The blue screen flashed one last time, and the weight of it all hit him. Jason was no longer the same. He had become someone else. But was that what he truly wanted? Was he ready to live as this new person, someone everyone would look at with admiration?
He ran his hand through his now-perfectly styled hair, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling creeping up his spine. He knew he couldn't undo what had just happened, but the question remained: What did it mean for him now? What did it mean for his relationships?
His thoughts turned to Lily. Would she even recognize him? Would she look at him differently now?
He stood still in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. There was a part of him that felt a rush of excitement. He had always been invisible, overlooked, dismissed. But now, that was no longer the case. People would notice him. People would want him. And maybe, just maybe, Lily would see him the way he had always wanted her to.
But there was another part of him, buried deep down, that felt... uneasy. Had the system changed him in ways he couldn't yet understand? Was this really what he wanted, or was it just a façade? A new body, a new face, but still the same broken person inside?
Jason sighed and turned away from the mirror, trying to shake off the feeling of emptiness that lingered. He needed to focus on the next part of the quest. The system had given him this power, and now he needed to use it.
As if on cue, the blue screen appeared again.
Quest Complete!
Congratulations, host! You have successfully completed your first System Quest!
Jason stared at the message, the words floating in front of him like a victory banner. It was over. The first step had been taken. But what did that mean for him?
Your rewards are now unlocked. You have gained access to:
Advanced Transformation Tools – Customize your appearance further with more precise control.
Exclusive Wealth-Building Strategies – Invest in high-tier stocks, businesses, and assets.
Personalized System Guidance – Receive constant advice and updates from the system to aid in your journey.
Jason stared at the options, his mind reeling with possibilities. But one thing was clear: He had just unlocked a new chapter in his life. And with that came both opportunity and danger.
Next System Quest will be unlocked soon.
Jason took a deep breath and nodded to himself. This was only the beginning. Whatever came next, he was ready. He had the system. He had the power. And he had the chance to change his life.
But as the night stretched on and the weight of his transformation sank in, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was playing a game far bigger than he could understand.