Author's Note[1]
____
Bargaj, the Tree of Life, did not immediately withdraw.
Instead, his voice echoed again— deeper, calmer, far heavier than before.
"The sword I gave you is at its peak," he said. "But if you were to use its full power now, it would kill you before it kills your enemy."
Ekant stiffened.
"So," Bargaj continued, "I have sealed its power."
"The more you increase your level and realm, the more of its strength you will be able to access."
Ekant nodded slowly, still staring at the sword in his hands.
Not because it looked charming—
But because of the information panel floating before his eyes.
〈The Sword of Life〉
[Classification: Tree Sword]
[Grade / Rank: Sealed]
[Quality: Peak]
[Owner: To be decided only by the Tree of Life, Bargaj]
[Description:
A sword formed from the pure essence of Bargaj, the Tree of Life.
Deals 10,000% bonus damage to tree and plant-type entities.
Deals 100–200% increased damage to monsters and beasts.]
"…This is ridiculous," Ekant muttered under his breath.
Everywhere he went—
Overpowered artifacts.
Forbidden tools.
Things far beyond what a beginner should ever touch.
'I have never been this lucky in any VR game before.' he thought.
Then another thought followed.
'Or… is this not luck at all?'
'It feels more like the game is teasing me... in a good way though.'
Bargaj noticed Ekant's distant expression.
"Mortal— no, NoName," the Tree of Life rumbled.
"Return to your senses."
Trrr—
The low-frequency roar shook the air.
Ekant jolted so hard that he almost dropped the sword.
Almost.
He caught it just in time.
"Y– Ye- Yes!" Ekant replied quickly, standing straighter. "I amm listening."
Bargaj observed him silently.
'Naive,' the ancient being thought,
'And Innocent.'
'I have given countless treasures to humans, yet every one of them thought first of domination… conquest… fame.'
'This one?'
'He is shocked that he received power at all.'
'I hope he survives long enough to unlock the sword's true form.'
Aloud, Bargaj said, "Send a small amount of mana into the sword."
"That is all you need to do to become its owner."
Ekant didn't hesitate.
He carefully poured a portion of his mana into the blade.
The sword reacted instantly.
A warm pulse spread from the hilt into his arm—gentle, controlled, alive.
〈You have initiated a Soul Contract with The Sword of Life〉
〈The Sword of Life has accepted your mana〉
〈Congratulations, Player NoName〉
〈You have become the owner of The Sword of Life〉
Ekant immediately checked the sword's information again.
Nothing had changed.
Except—
Owner: NoName
"…That's it?" he muttered. But he was disappointed.
He then bowed slightly, holding the sword carefully.
"Thank you for this sword, Sir Bargaj."
The gratitude was genuine.
It was the kind of respect a beggar would show after being named heir to a billionaire.
"You do not need to thank me," Bargaj replied calmly.
"You earned it by annihilating the Blood Rose Garden."
He continued without pause.
"If you wish for more rewards, you may hunt monsters in the Beginner's Forest."
"But remember this—"
"No plant or tree-type monsters will appear within 100 kilometers of you."
Ekant blinked.
"If any tree or plant monster senses that sword within 99.99 kilometers, they will immediately hide their level and realm beneath the soil."
"It is their natural survival ability."
Silence followed.
"So," Bargaj concluded, "do you have questions?"
Ekant pondered.
A lot had happened.
But after a moment, he nodded.
"Yes. I do."
"Ask," Bargaj said.
"How many monsters do I need to kill to receive rewards?" Ekant asked.
"The number does not matter," Bargaj replied.
"You must kill uniquely."
"And you may only use your body or sword."
"That key of yours," he added sternly,
"can pollute the environment and drive new players away."
Ekant nodded immediately.
"I understand."
He asked another question.
"What happens if I level up too fast?"
Bargaj considered.
"At your current level, the effects are minimal," he answered.
"But if you advance three levels at once, your body may suffer damage."
"You must stabilize after every breakthrough."
Ekant absorbed that carefully.
Then—
"How big is the Beginner's Forest?"
"Ten million square kilometers," Bargaj replied calmly.
"..."
Ekant froze.
"…That's bigger than two Amazon rainforests."
Bargaj continued, unfazed.
"You will not get lost."
"If the forest judges you unworthy— too injured or having lost your will to fight— it will guide you out using illusion techniques."
"I designed it myself."
"…How do you decide who is unworthy?" Ekant asked.
"If they abandon the will to fight," Bargaj said,
"or if continuing would cost them their life."
Ekant took a deep breath.
Then nodded firmly.
"Thank you," he said.
"I am ready to hunt monsters now."
Bargaj's massive presence softened.
"Then I shall leave."
The ancient tree began to fade.
Like fire dying out—
Like smoke dispersing into the air—
Bargaj vanished.
Leaving behind—
A boy with a sealed sword.
And a Beginner's Forest that was about to learn a very important lesson.
[1] Because of certain post, which happens to be from 15 Feb 2026. It has come to my attention that its My birthday today (15 Feb, 2026).