JEDEERRRRR!
A bolt of lightning struck Arlina's body as she lay sprawled on the sidewalk, causing her previously lost heartbeat to return. Her body shook violently as if electrocuted.
"My head...!" Arlina groaned, clutching her temples, which ached as if being stabbed by hundreds of needles. She tried to sit up, leaning against the closed shop's rolling door, her eyes glazed over with pain.
[DING!!!]
[Good evening. Host has successfully obtained the Phoenix System as a reward for all the kindnesses Host has done in the past.]
Arlina blinked, her brow furrowed. "What... whose voice was that? Am I hallucinating?" she muttered softly.
[Does Host wish to activate this system?]
[YES] [NO]
Arlina still held her head. Although confused by the hologram screen that suddenly appeared before her eyes, for some reason one of her hands moved on its own. Her index finger pressed [YES].
[DING!!!]
[The system will be activated soon. Please wait.] The Host will feel pain as the Phoenix System merges with the Host's body and mind.]
As soon as those words appeared, her head buzzed violently again, as if hundreds of bees were stinging her brain. Arlina squeezed her eyes shut, her hands gripping her hair, her body tensing up.
[Process in progress…]
[1%…20%…50%…80%…100%]
[The system has been activated.]
[Congratulations! The Host receives an initial reward of 100 points and 3,000,000 in wealth as a welcome gift.]
The pain slowly subsided. Arlina opened her eyes, staring at the hologram with gasping breath. "Is… is this real? Or am I crazy from hitting my head on the asphalt?" she muttered, gently hitting her head.
[The Host is not crazy. The Phoenix System is real and has now merged with the Host's body. This system will help the Host rise from adversity and become rich quickly.]
Arlina stared blankly, still in disbelief. "Rise? Rich? It sounds like a dream…" she said softly. "If you really are a system in my body, what is your name? What is your true function?"
[I am the Phoenix System. My job is to help young women like the Host achieve brilliant careers, build wealth, and gain power through missions that earn money and points. The money will be transferred directly to the Host's account legally. Points can be exchanged for items or skill upgrades.]
Arlina paused for a moment, then laughed dryly. "Money? Skills? After all these years of hard work, I was kicked out by Margaret and Revan without a penny, and now a magical system like this appears… maybe I really am crazy."
[I reiterate, the Host is not crazy. This system is real. The Host will soon feel the benefits.]
[Since the Host has activated the system, the Host will receive a new identity and an initial wealth balance of 3,000,000.]
[The Host's new identity can be found in the pocket of the clothes the Host is wearing.]
Hesitantly, Arlina reached into the inner pocket of her shabby housedress. Her fingers touched something. "What is this…? I don't remember having a knitted pouch like this."
With trembling hands, she unzipped the black pouch. Inside were her ID card, a national bank ATM card, and a savings book with a name that stunned her.
"Isabella Clark…?" Arlina—or now Isabella—whispered softly, pinching her arm to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The pinch hurt. It was real.
[That's right. The current Host's name is Isabella Clark, age 22. Here is the Host's current status panel:]
[Status Panel]
Name: Isabella Clark
Age: 22
Beauty: 0/100
Intelligence: 0/100
Strength: 0/100
Health: 0/100
Charm: 0/100
Mental: 0/100
Special ability: –
Points: 100
Wealth: 3,000,000
Arlina—Isabella—frowns. "Why are all the points zero? And this three million… where did they come from?"
[Points and wealth are the initial rewards from the system upon activation. Money can be spent freely. Points can be exchanged for ability upgrades. Since the system is still level one, the item box will only appear after the Host levels up.]
Isabella nodded slowly, beginning to understand. "Okay… then, how do I communicate with you? Can others see this system?"
[The Host can simply silently call out the word "system." Others won't see it.]
Isabella took a deep breath. "System, I want to exchange 50 points for beauty and 50 points for intelligence," she said silently, choosing the two things she felt most needed to start a new life.
[Request processed…]
A feeling of heat spread throughout her body, and beads of sweat the size of corn kernels appeared on her temples. Her head felt like it was being squeezed, but it only lasted two minutes before the Phoenix System's voice rang out again.
[Status Panel]
Name: Isabella Clark
Age: 22
Beauty: 50/100
Intelligence: 50/100
Strength: 0/100
Health: 0/100
Charm: 0/100
Mental: 0/100
Points: 0
Wealth: 3,000,000
Isabella touched her cheek. Her previously dull face now felt smooth and radiant. Her mind felt clearer.
"Unbelievable… this is really happening," she whispered.
She stared at the drizzle-drenched street. "Okay, first I have to go to the 24-hour convenience store. I need new clothes, food, and cash to pay for tonight's guesthouse."
The complex she was in was quite close to a large campus and a tourist area, so many boarding houses and guesthouses were nearby. After walking almost a kilometer, she found the convenience store, brightly lit amidst the drizzle.
Inside, Isabella chose a t-shirt, shorts, snacks, and a drink. While waiting for the cashier, she muttered to herself, "With this capital, I can start planning my revenge on Revan, Margaret, and Scarlet… but slowly. I'll rise gracefully."
The cashier glanced at her. "Night, Miss. Is it raining heavily?"
Isabella smiled faintly. "Yes, but it feels like a new beginning," she replied firmly.
After paying and withdrawing cash, she changed clothes in the convenience store restroom. Her slender yet tall body now looked refreshed, her face exuding a youthful aura, almost like a high school student.
With new flip-flops and a shopping bag in hand, Isabella walked to a guesthouse not far from the main road. After paying for a week's stay, she entered her room, cleaned herself, and then lay down on the soft bed.
Staring at the ceiling, Isabella whispered softly, "Thank you... the Phoenix System. This is the beginning of my rise. Revan, Margaret, Scarlet, Olivia... get ready. I will return, and you will see how the Phoenix you step on will soar higher than ever before."
The Phoenix System answered softly in her head,
[Host, the journey has just begun. Let's show the world who the real Isabella Clark is.]
Isabella closed her eyes, a faint smile gracing her lips. That night, she slept with a newfound confidence—that from the ashes of adversity, the Phoenix would rise and soar.