Year 2, Month 1
The second year began quietly. Winter faded, sunlight strengthened, and Taisho's roots had spread wide enough to claim a large section of forest ground. His trunk thickened, his bark hardened, and faint patterns — almost vein-like — appeared along his surface.
Every day, the familiar notification echoed in his mind:
[Photosynthesis Complete. +0.1 EP Gained.]
[Passive Skill — Natural Energy Absorption: Progress +1/1000]
He could now sense faint traces of energy running through air and soil — something deeper than light or nutrients. It was wild, powerful, and alive. The first few times he absorbed it, the energy felt unstable — his roots trembled, bark hardened abruptly, and a sharp pulse of heat spread through his body. But little by little, his system adjusted.
"Guess that's the trick," he muttered. "Take it slow or explode trying."
Year 2, Month 4
The forest had shifted. More birds nested in his branches now, and vines grew along his bark, forming a natural armor. The soil beneath him had become rich and vibrant — plants nearby grew faster simply from being close to him.
Natural Energy flowed through him like an underground current, enhancing everything around. He was beginning to understand it — not by logic, but instinct.
"Feels like a living network," he noted. "The more I connect, the faster everything adapts."
The system confirmed his progress.[Host Adaptation to Natural Energy increased by 11%. Absorption efficiency improved.]
"Good. Let's keep it that way. No rushing, no dying like that monkey."
He sometimes still felt echoes of that bond — faint memories that lingered even after the connection ended. But now, that experience guided his caution.
Year 2, Month 6
It happened during midday — sunlight filtering through leaves, forest quiet except for the hum of insects. Taisho focused inward, checking his system panel.
[Status Panel]
Name: Taisho Shinkon
Species: Unknown Tree Lifeform (Sapling Stage)
Age: 1.6 Years
Condition: Excellent
Skills:▸ Soul Vision (300/500) : Basic
▸ Natural Energy Absorption (320/1000): Basic
Unique Skills:▸ Familiar Contract (20/100): Level 1
Passives:▸ Photosynthesis (Permanent)
▸ Root Absorption (Permanent)
▸ Hibernate (Permanent)
▸ Auto-Pilot (Permanent)
▸Natural Energy Absorption(Permanent) : 180/1000
Evolution Points (EP): 136
Evolution Progress: 1%
He stared at the numbers, calculating. "One hundred points… sitting here doing nothing. Let's see what happens if I invest some."
He began allocating energy through the system interface in his mind. The moment he did, a faint golden ripple ran across his consciousness.
[EP Conversion Initiated.]
[1 EP = 10 Upgrade Points for Basic Skills.]
[10 EP = 1 Upgrade Point for Unique Skills.]
"Let's max out Soul Vision first," he decided.
[Allocating 20 EP → 200 Upgrade Points.][Soul Vision: 500/500]
[Skill Advancement Detected.]['Soul Vision' has evolved from Basic → Advanced.]
[Expanded Sensory Range: +500%][Detail Recognition: Increased.]
In an instant, his awareness stretched far beyond what he thought possible. He could now sense life in a wide radius — trees breathing, animals sleeping, rivers pulsing with energy, even the faint shifting of clouds. Every living thing glowed faintly in his perception, a pulsing map of existence.
"Whoa…" he murmured. "Now this is something else."
The forest buzzed in his extended senses. He could even feel insects crawling under bark several meters away. But as his reach expanded, he hit a wall — the farther he stretched, the foggier it became.
He chuckled. "Guess I'm still just a tree on the ground. No omniscience for me yet."
His gaze returned to his status panel. "Alright, time to improve that contract skill a bit."
[Allocating 50 EP → 5 Unique Skill Upgrade Points.]
[Familiar Contract (25/100): Level 1.][Efficiency Increased]
He smiled faintly. "That should make the next contract smoother."
With the remaining EP, he decided to strengthen his overall form.
[Allocating 100 EP → Evolution Progress +10%.][Current Progress: 11%.][EP Remaining: 6.]
His trunk glowed faintly as his roots pulsed with warmth, the forest energy responding in kind. He exhaled mentally, satisfied.
[Updated Status Panel]
Name: Taisho Shinkon
Species: Unknown Tree Lifeform (Sapling Stage)
Age: 1.6 Years
Condition: Excellent
Skills:▸ Soul Vision(10/10000): Advanced
▸ Natural Energy Absorption (320/1000): Basic
Unique Skills:▸ Familiar Contract (25/100): Level 1
Passives:▸ Photosynthesis (Permanent)
▸ Root Absorption (Permanent)
▸ Hibernate (Permanent)
▸ Auto-Pilot (Permanent)
▸Natural Energy Absorption(Permanent) : 180/1000
Evolution Points (EP): 0
Evolution Progress: 11%
Familiar Capacity: 0/3
"Not bad for a year's progress," he thought. "Slow but steady wins the evolution race."
The forest hummed quietly around him, unaware that its silent guardian had just taken another step toward becoming something far greater.
Far Beyond the Sky — Edge of the Planet's Orbit
Space rippled. A tear split open in the void, glowing with spiraling blue-white light. From it stepped two figures — pale, regal, and inhumanly calm.
Both wore flowing white haori marked with black magatama patterns. Their skin glowed faintly in the sunlight, eyes cold and unreadable.
The taller one — Ishiki — had a golden sun-like eye and a curved horn on his temple.Beside him floated Kaguya, her long silver hair drifting weightlessly, her pale eyes scanning the world below.
They stood in silence for a while, gazing down at the planet turning beneath them.
"…This one is rich," Ishiki finally said. "The air itself hums with Natural Energy."
Kaguya nodded faintly. "A perfect ground for the seed."
Ishiki's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then we will plant the Divine Tree here."
The tear in space twisted once more, and both figures vanished — descending toward the world below.
Far beneath, Taisho continued his quiet growth, unaware that something far greater had just set its eyes on his planet.