After the Stark factory chaos and meeting that pirate Fury, I decided it was time for a break. No explosions, no bosses, just me, my new body, and maybe a slice of pizza. I strolled through downtown New York, and the city was alive. Neon lights, crowds, honking taxis – it was like a video game, but with better graphics. And, damn, I felt like the main character.
My new Juri Han body was like a sports car. Sleek, strong, agile – every step was like a dance, and every move felt... perfect. I caught my reflection in a shop window. Purple hair, cocky smirk, that tight outfit screaming "look at me." Hell, I was hot. Even I'd try to hit on myself if that wasn't weird.
— Alright, time to test this machine — I muttered, stretching my arms. The system gave me a new skill: basic regeneration. Sounded like something Wolverine had on max, but mine was probably the budget version. I decided to see what it could do.
I found a quieter alley, away from the crowds. I checked to make sure no one was watching and pulled out a small pocketknife I'd found in my outfit's pocket. Where did Juri get a knife? Don't ask, probably part of her psycho vibe. I pressed the blade to my forearm and made a small cut. It stung like hell, but only for a second. Blood dripped, and then – bam! – the wound started closing. In about ten seconds, it was gone.
— Holy shit, that's awesome! — I laughed, staring at my smooth skin. — System, you know how to pick gifts. What's next? Immortality?
SYSTEM RESPONSE: BASIC REGENERATION WORKS ON MINOR INJURIES. LARGER WOUNDS REQUIRE UPGRADES. SUGGESTION: TRAIN TO UNLOCK NEW SKILLS.
— Train? Me? — I snorted. — Fine, maybe later. Right now, I wanna have fun.
I decided to test the body in action. I found a park with an outdoor gym. No one was around, so I hopped on a pull-up bar and started cranking out reps. One, two, ten, twenty – damn, I wasn't even tired! My muscles worked like a machine, and my breathing stayed steady, like it was just a warm-up. I jumped down and did a few backflips, landing perfectly.
— This body's a freaking cheat! — I shouted, doing another flip just because I could. I felt like a circus acrobat, but with better style.
Then I noticed I wasn't alone. Some guy, tall, in a sleeveless shirt, was staring at me from a bench. He had that classic pickup-artist smirk, like he thought he was Brad Pitt.
— Hey, babe, nice moves — he called, walking over. — Wanna give me your number, and I'll show you some other exercises?
I stopped and raised an eyebrow. Babe? Seriously?
— Listen, musclehead, the only exercise I'll show you is how fast you can run away — I said, smirking sarcastically. — Number? Sure, 911. Call it when you need help after I kick your ass.
The guy laughed like he thought I was joking, but when he saw my glare, he raised his hands and backed off.
— Loser — I muttered, going back to testing my body. I did a sprint through the park, passing some joggers who stared at me like I was an alien. The wind whipped through my hair, and my legs moved like they had an engine. The system said it was the Feng Shui Engine, but to me, it was just badass.
I headed back to the city center, where the crowds were thicker. People stared as I walked by. Okay, mostly guys. One dude in a suit, holding a coffee, whistled as I passed.
— Hey, gorgeous, you free for a date? 'Cause I'm available! — he called.
I stopped and turned, crossing my arms.
— A date? With you? — I laughed. — Dude, the only thing I'd do with you is toss you in a dumpster if you keep whistling. Go work on your personality, 'cause coffee ain't enough.
The guy froze, and his buddies cracked up. I walked off, shaking my head. Seriously, did every guy in this city think I was here for their entertainment? Juri Han's no toy – she's a wrecking machine.
I stopped at an ice cream stand. The vendor, a young guy, looked at me and blushed.
— Uh, want a cone? — he asked, then realized how it sounded and turned red as a tomato.
— A cone? — I snorted, leaning on the counter. — Kid, with your charm, you could sell ice cream to penguins. Give me vanilla, quick, before I change my mind and wreck your stand.
The guy quickly made the cone and handed it to me, waving his hand.
— It's, uh, on the house — he said, trying to smile, though he looked like he might faint.
— On the house? — I laughed, raising an eyebrow. — Nice, but don't think this gets you a date. Stay cool, penguin.
I took the cone and sat on a bench, eating and watching the city. I felt... free. New body, new skills, new world. Sure, there was Fury, SHIELD, and probably a million other problems, but for now? I was Juri Han, and I was loving it.
Then the system chimed. Ding!
NEW TASK: TRAIN YOUR SKILLS TO EARN SHIELD'S RESPECT!
REWARD: +30 SYSTEM POINTS, FENG SHUI ENGINE UPGRADE
— Training, again? — I sighed, licking my cone. — Fine, system, but let me chill for a bit. I earned it.
In the distance, I saw a red-and-blue figure swinging across the rooftops. Spider-Man? I grinned. Maybe it was time to find some buddies in this world. But that could wait. For now, I had ice cream, a badass body, and zero worries.