Sakurai was meditating... or at least trying to.
His consciousness floated between roots and leaves as he repeated the mission the system had assigned him: "Attract a human."
It sounded simple on paper.
But he was a tree.
No face, no voice, no hands to wave or performative dances.
How could he convince anyone?
"Maybe if I glowed... or if my leaves performed a boy band choreography..."
He sighed internally.
Then, as if a cartoon lightbulb flickered above his leafy head, he remembered a crucial detail from every isekai novel he'd ever read.
"Hello, System! Where's my welcome gift?"
Silence.
Then, a low hum.
[DING]
Analyzing host request...
Query valid.
Cross-referencing parallel system databases...
Result: Approved.
Justification: "The initial gift is a recognized custom in 89% of system-integrated worlds."
Assess host's current environment...
Adapt rewards to circumstances...
DING
Congratulations! You have received the following abilities:
Spirit Communication (pasive): Allows communication with nearby beings, manifest as a mental voice
Sharp Blade (Active): Fires a hardened, mana-infused blade as a slashing projectile.
"Ha! I knew I could count on you, old friend!"
System: "Don't get me wrong. I'm following protocol; we're not friends."
"Yes, yes. That's what everyone says at the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Sakurai felt something like relief. Having offensive skills—even basic ones—and a way to communicate finally gave her a sense of agency.
He was no longer just a passive tree...
Now he was a semi-dangerous talking tree.
And just as she began to plan how to use her new inner voice to attract a human...
She felt a presence, a flicker of warm, shaking, faint energy that appeared at the edge of her perception.
A human.
And not just any human, a girl.
She looked terrible, appearing to be between sixteen and twenty years old, thin, dirty, with red eyes, her tangled hair blowing in the wind as she ran aimlessly through the trees.
"Is she... running away from something?"
Then, her name appeared above her head on the system interface:
Name: Isabelle
Estimated Age: 17
Condition: Extreme Exhaustion/Panic
Clan Compatibility: 47%
Link Potential: Medium
"Okay, Sakurai... this is your chance. It's time to activate the inner voice... with the tree's maximum charisma."
He concentrated, channeled mana, and projected a soft, almost whispering voice into the trees.
"Hey... don't be afraid."
The girl froze, her eyes wide open.
"W-what...? Who...?"
"Listen to me, you're not alone. Walk toward the light in the clearing... "I'm there."
Isabelle, her heart beating like a war drum, hesitated for a moment...
But what she was running from frightened her more than a mysterious voice.
And so she walked.
Shaky steps, shaky breaths.
She pushed past roots and branches until she emerged into a sunlit clearing.
And there it was, a completely ordinary-looking tree, calm, harmless, suspiciously... peaceful.
"Where's the voice coming from?"
"From me."
She jumped back.
"W-what...? The tree... is talking?!"
Sakurai didn't have a face, but if he had, he would have achieved the most mysterious expression imaginable of an ancient sage.
And then... inspiration struck.
She remembered all those shady old men in novels who manipulated the protagonists with tragic stories.
"All right, it's time to play the role of the tragic, cursed tree."
"I am an ancient spirit, sealed in this form. Centuries ago, I was punished... for a crime I didn't commit."
Condemned to wander disembodied, I took root here... creating a forest to hide my existence.
Isabelle stared, her mouth slightly agape.
"But your presence... brings hope. Perhaps... you can help me."
The girl understood almost none of it.
But she was hungry, afraid, and emotionally shattered.
And then...
A loud roar pierced the air.
A magical beast.
The same bear that had slaughtered her parents.
Its heavy paws crushed the forest floor. Drool dripped from its fangs as it followed Isabelle's trail.
[ALERT]
Magical Beast Detected: Forest Bear – Quasi-Rank 1
Abilities:
• Iron Bite
• Ferocious Claw
"THAT BEAR IS BIGGER THAN I EXPECTED!"
Sakurai had never seen a bear in his life, let alone a bear on steroids.
But seeing Isabelle frozen, traumatized, unlocked something deep within his core.
He had to act.
"Run! Hide behind me!"
The girl didn't think; she obeyed.
The bear roared and charged.
Sakurai channeled his mana, took aim, and shouted internally:
"SHARP BLADE!"
A glowing blade lit up with magical energy and shot out like a jade leaf.
It struck the bear's flank, and the beast howled in pain.
The bear stopped and stared at the tree.
And growled.
Now he knew: this tree was dangerous.
Remaining Mana: 62%
Sharp Leaf Charges: 2/3
"Okay… this is real!" "I'm fighting a bear, like a damn bonsai avenger."
The bear lunged forward, and Sakurai fired a second Sharp Leaf, grazing its front paw.
Now they were facing off.
A growl.
The other… rustling its leaves menacingly.
"I have one chance left…"
Warning: Mana at critical level.
Sharp Leaf Charges Remaining: 1
The bear was breathing heavily, and blood was dripping from its wounds, but its eyes showed no signs of backing down.
Sakurai, meanwhile, braced himself for what could be its final attack…
Or the end of its life as magical firewood.