In the infinite darkness, the sole source of light was a white orb floating in this dark existence.
"What brought me here? And what's with this strange screen?" I pondered.
Before me loomed a giant red screen, fifty times the size of me, i think.
"Please choose a tree species," it demanded.
"Okay, this doesn't seem like a dream. It's somehow different. The ability to think about my surroundings and guess that I'm dreaming...things like these aren't usually present in dreams. And also, if it were a dream, I would've woken up by now."
"Am I dead? No, I don't think so. There's no reason. My monthly check-ups didn't indicate anything."
I shifted my attention to the screen. "Is it asking me to choose a tree? What's the point? Will I incarnate in another world as that tree species?"
"Alright, let's see...Japanese Maple. It's the first thing that comes to mind."
The screen changed, and the different trees and their descriptions disappeared. New images of atree, appeared.
"Customization," it prompted.
"Why can't I just choose a tree species and be done with it? Isn't that better? And why aren't there more options than the fool who designed this system? Has he never read anything about trees in his life? Or the vast differences in each species?"
"Alright, let me customize my beautiful tree."
"Customization: Trunk: Black.
Roots: Blood Red.
Branches: Black.
Leaves: Crimson.
Veins: Black.
Fruits: Bright Red."
Then, a feeling of drowsiness overwhelmed me. I couldn't resist, or perhaps I didn't want to resist this beautiful sensation of sleep.
In another world, in a vast beautiful green valley, a river flowed. On one of its banks stood a small green hill, rising five meters above the river's level. From the river flowed a small stream into an entrance beneath it.
Above the hill were some rocks, shrubs, and a few large trees. In the middle of the formation, there was an empty space amidst the green grass.
Suddenly, from under the grass, a small, elegant green shoot emerged, its slightly damp leaves unfolding.
"Where am I, and what is this? Is this a 360-degree view? My vision is strange; I can comprehend everything from a strange angle, but the strangest part is that everything seems gigantic! Or am I the dwarf here?"
"Wait a minute, am I a plant?"
"System, where are you? Open!"
"System Tree:
Name: Neil
Kingdom: Plant
Age: 0 days
Energy Representation: 0.10 per day
Kingdom Level: No Core
Points: 0
Abilities: 360-degree vision"
"Zero, zero, one, zero, zero...Am I really this weak?"
"What are points, system?"
"[Points are acquired through energy representation. You gain 0.1 point automatically every day because you're still just a seedling. However, you can gain more, and faster, by directly absorbing the life energy of organisms you possess.]"
"How am I supposed to grow like this? You know I'm just a seedling now, right? Do you want me to absorb a fly's life energy, for example? Is that even possible? I can't even control my roots or branches."
"[The host can acquire abilities such as controlling its new body and absorbing life energy by purchasing them from the store.]"
"That's more logical. But I'm still just a seedling; plants grow extremely slowly. Will I die of boredom then?"
"The Store"
"Abilities:
360-degree vision: 10
Memory Erasure: 100
Essence Drain: 10
Telepathy: 10
Core Formation: 100
Pleasant Fragrance: 5
Hibernation: 0"
"...So I'll die of boredom, indeed. Buy Hibernation, system."
"[Hibernation ability purchased: The host can enter a state of hibernation according to the conditions set.]"
"System, can I sleep for a whole year like this?"
"[Possible, but not advisable. As energy representation decreases by 10%, and also it's not good to sleep for a whole year as the host must grow, develop its abilities, and adapt to its surroundings.]"
I hesitated at the system's response...Was there really a reason for the energy representation decrease, or did it just not want me to keep entering hibernation constantly?
In any case, it wouldn't be of any use to me right now to remain awake. I'm just a tiny unnoticed seedling, and staying awake won't change anything. But I mustn't risk entering a state of hibernation.
I began to explore the abilities until I found my goal.
"Record: Comprehensive recording of the surroundings under any circumstances.
Price: 5 points."
"Okay, I won't sleep for a month, and I'll be able to activate that ability."
Thus, I entered a state of complete stillness, observing my surroundings with boredom, trying to discover more about this new body.
Day Ten
The situation here is extremely dull; I haven't seen a single living being so far. I don't know what's going on; the weather seems sunny, so why aren't there any living creatures coming out to the surface? Also, I've noticed some strange things in these ten days. It seems to me that the organisms in this place grow better, faster, and the best example is me.
I'm now a plant, 10 cm tall, and my roots have reached 6 cm. My stem has turned slightly black, and my leaves have started to flourish in beautiful crimson. The transformation was somewhat quick.
Also, my energy representation has increased to 0.11, totaling 1.25 now. I don't know what to do, honestly. There's nothing I can use it for.
On the fiftieth day, an owl started visiting me every day, or so I thought, as it seemed to have built a nest inside an old tree atop the hill. But I haven't seen its partner yet. I really don't know about their way of life, but I guess it must have a partner since it built a nest in that old tree...
Today, on the fifty-fifth day, I have almost 10.01 points exactly, and my earning rate is 0.155 points. It's good news, isn't it? Yes, it's happy news. Now it seems that my real journey has begun.
[Purchased Essence Drain ability]
After comprehending the ability, I thought about using it on the soil, but I immediately realized the stupidity of my idea, as I would be killing myself with that act. If I absorbed life essence, it would dry out the nutrients that help me. True, it's a quick gain, but short-term, and its consequences will be dire, especially since I can't move at the moment.
"System, what's the source of energy in this world?"
[The current energy source is the primal essence scattered everywhere in the world, with its density varying depending on the location. There are few types of living beings that can extract and purify it, but not for long, as purifying the primal essence and converting it into pure essence is a taxing process for the body and mind. Ordinary creatures that haven't interacted or don't sense the primal essence convert it without noticing, but in smaller quantities than those who possess the ability.]
"I see. Is this the reason for the rapid growth of living beings in this world? Did I also consume this essence?"
"Do I have the ability to absorb it?"
[Yes, you have the ability, but exceeding the consumption limits and in large quantities beyond your needs will expose you to hidden dangers.]
"Okay, great. It seems that a hidden path has opened up before me."
I began to try to absorb this hidden energy from the world through my branches and delicate leaves, slowly...
Suddenly, I felt something soft tickling... "Yes, I feel it, that's..."
After half an hour...
"System Tree:
Name: Neil
Kingdom: Plant
Age: 55 days
Energy Representation: 0.155 per day
Kingdom Level: No Core
Points: 0.80
Abilities: 360-degree vision, Essence Drain, Hibernation"
"0.80 rate within half an hour? This is truly amazing. But unfortunately, it seems that my limit is half an hour."
I felt my body filled with energy and life that never runs out. It was a refreshing feeling, something I felt for the first time. It seems that my future is bright, as I eagerly yearn to consume some living beings brimming with beautiful essence.
'hmmmm did i forget something? Re...cord what was that?'
Author's note: If there is anything that is not clear or understandable, go ask chat GPT, it is responsible for it, it's the one who accomplished everything