When Bargaj raised his branch, the air in front of Ekant shimmered.
A small box descended slowly, floating until it stopped right before him.
The box was crimson red, wrapped neatly with a yellow ribbon.
"This is your reward." Bargaj said calmly.
Ekant reached out and accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you."
He waited for the system to react.
And it did.
〈Mystery Box〉
[Classification: Mystery Box]
[Requirement: Quest offered by the Tree of Life and completed by a player]
[Description:
Contains one mysterious reward of at least Spirit Grade.]
[Chances:
• Spirit Grade — 51%
• Earth Grade — 49%
Drop Count:
• 1 Item — 99.99%
• 2 Items — 0.01%]
Ekant took a slow breath.
Then another.
After steadying himself, he loosened the ribbon and pulled.
Light burst outward.
The box and the ribbon dissolved into particles.
A single item fell into his hands.
A handwatch.
There was no strap attached.
The surface looked polished and new, yet somehow ancient at the same time.
Click.
Click.
Click.
It was ticking.
Three hands moved steadily— the second hand, minute hand, and hour hand— each perfectly balanced. But instead of numbers, the dial was engraved with symbols written in an ancient language Ekant had never seen before.
"…Probably a fictional language created for the game," he muttered.
He tried to adjust the time.
Nothing happened.
No crown.
No mechanism.
No settings.
Confused, Ekant checked the system information.
〈The Clock of Time〉
[Classification: Treasure]
[Grade: Earth]
[Owner: NoName]
[Description:
A watch of unknown origin.
Discovered by the Tree of Life, Bargaj.]
"…That's it?"
Ekant stared at the description.
There was no effect.
No skill.
No activation condition.
So he looked up at Bargaj.
"Sir Bargaj," he asked cautiously, "what does this clock do?"
Bargaj paused.
For the first time, there was hesitation.
"…Even I do not know," the Tree of Life admitted.
"I discovered it randomly a long time ago."
Ekant blinked.
'That… was unexpected.'
Still, he did not feel disappointed— only curious.
'If the developers put this in the game,' he thought,
'then it must have a purpose.'
He stored the Clock of Time inside his Spatial Ring.
"I appreciate the reward." Ekant said respectfully.
Bargaj acknowledged the gesture with a gentle rustle of leaves.
"Now," the Tree of Life said,
"you may ask your questions."
"But listen carefully."
"Do not waste this opportunity with trivial matters. Think carefully and ask only what truly matters."
Ekant nodded.
He remained silent for several seconds, weighing his options.
Finally, he spoke.
"Sir Bargaj… what is your cultivation level?"
The forest went quiet.
"…"
Bargaj had not expected that.
After a moment, he answered honestly.
"I am at the peak level of Foundation Core."
Ekant's eyes widened slightly.
Then Bargaj continued.
"Actually, since you have completed the final quest… I should properly introduce myself."
"I am not merely the Tree of Life."
"I am the Beginner Player Assistant A.I.," Bargaj continued calmly,
"also known as the Tree of Life."
"The reason you know me by that name is because of my resurrection ability," he added.
"That power originates from an Artifact."
After saying this, Bargaj fell silent.
He waited.
Ekant understood.
He had planned to ask about resurrection ability. Nut he got his answer already.
This was his chance to ask what truly mattered.
His expression softened slightly as he spoke his next question.
"Why did you choose to help the Blaze Dog?"
Bargaj answered without hesitation.
"To be honest," the ancient tree said,
"you reminded me of him."
Ekant blinked.
"Of who?"
"The Blaze Dog," Bargaj replied.
"The same innocence. The same curiosity in the eyes."
Ekant absorbed those words quietly.
They lingered longer than he expected.
After a short pause, he asked his next question.
"Why did you give me the Sword of Life?"
Bargaj's branches rustled gently.
"That is… a difficult question," he admitted.
"I did not choose to give it to you."
"I merely raised my branch."
"The sword chose you."
Ekant's eyes widened slightly.
"The Sword of Life contains a fragment of my soul," Bargaj continued.
"It possesses its own judgment."
"Every artifact I create inherits a part of me automatically."
"Even I do not fully understand why it chooses whom it chooses."
So that's the reason…
Ekant finally understood.
Then he asked his final question.
"Sir Bargaj," Ekant said carefully,
"I'll be able to contact you through the Sword of Life in the future… won't I?"
Bargaj nodded slowly.
"Yes," he answered.
"But only after you reach a certain level."
That was enough.
Ekant bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your time, Sir Bargaj."
"I'm going to log out for now."
"I'll leave the Beginner's Forest the next time I log in."
The ancient tree did not stop him.
Nor did it say farewell.
Ekant's consciousness faded.
___