The moment the System activated, the world of Tulmyria shuddered. For centuries, humans had been regarded as little more than a nuisance—weak, feeble creatures barely tolerated by the other, far more powerful species. They were outcasts in a world where strength was the ultimate measure of worth. No more. The sudden surge of power that rippled through their ranks reshaped everything.
The System, a mysterious mechanism known only to the transmigrants from Earth, had changed everything. The humans who had arrived in Tulmyria twelve years ago—confused, frightened, and powerless—were now awakening en masse. The System had granted them abilities far beyond what the native inhabitants of this world could achieve without decades or even centuries of grueling effort.
For the first time in the history of Tulmyria, the humans had something to offer—heroes, warriors, and mystics emerging from every corner of their kingdoms. It mattered not if they were royalty or paupers, scholars, or laborers in this new world.
This sudden surge of power did not come quietly. From the capitals of the old human empires to the far-flung settlements scattered across the wilderness, hundreds of millions of transmigrants experienced their awakening simultaneously. For some, it was a moment of elation—a chance to reclaim agency and chart their destinies. For others, it was a source of terror, the unfamiliar energy coursing through their veins a reminder of how far they had come from the lives they once knew.
The System's interface blazed to life in every awakened mind, its text cold and clinical:
[Global Announcement: System Activation Complete]
[Transmigrants from Earth: Awakening Phase Initiated]
[New Functions Unlocked. Paths Now Available.]
The world of Tulmyria, however, did not share in the System's gift. The native species—elves, dwarves, orcs, and countless others—remained untouched by the System's influence. Though these beings were powerful in their own right, their abilities were tied to strict natural limits. For them, achieving strength was a grueling journey of discipline, training, and sacrifice. Progress was slow, and only the rare few could ascend to the highest levels of power.
The transmigrators, by contrast, had been handed a key to unparalleled potential. The System didn't require lifetimes of toil. It offered immediate results: new powers, structured paths, and a clear route to growth. For the first time, humans had become something far more dangerous than a mere annoyance—they had become rivals.
...
In the cities and kingdoms of humanity, the awakening sparked chaos. The Forum feature erupted into life, connecting millions of transmigrants for the first time since their arrival. Voices clamored for answers, plans, and alliances, their emotions raw and unfiltered:
[User 162738: "What just happened?! Why are we twelve again? Is anyone else freaking out?"]
[User 1895: "Does anyone know how to pick a Path? I'm staring at the options and panicking."]
[User 1738446: "Forget the details—where's the nearest city? I need to find food and shelter before I die again."]
Some messages were calm, and filled with a sense of purpose and curiosity. Others were panicked, reflecting the struggles many humans had faced in the years since their arrival. Still others were dangerous, dripping with ambition:
[User 127: "I'm in Valinthar, and the System gave me a fire-based skill. This place is mine now. Join me, or burn."]
[User 18399: "Forget cities. Let's head to the wilderness and carve out our empire. Who's with me?"]
In the capital city of Lyseris, the heart of the Tashyrn Kingdom, chaos reigned. Newly awakened transmigrators crowded the streets, their confusion palpable. Some flocked to the System's Forum, sharing discoveries and coordinating alliances. Others descended into panic, unable to reconcile their former lives with the strange new reality.
A young merchant's apprentice—now a fledgling Elementalist—stood in awe as he conjured a flicker of flame in his palm for the first time. A nearby blacksmith, once ridiculed for his poverty, now wielded a mace with newfound strength. Yet, for every hero who embraced their potential, others lashed out in fear or ambition, disrupting the fragile order of society.
Nobles in grand palaces viewed the transmigrators with suspicion and jealousy. While some of the nobility were among the awakened, the sheer volume of new heroes—many of them from the lower classes—threatened the delicate hierarchy they sought to maintain. A whispered term began circulating in hushed meetings: "The Reckoning."
The transmigrators brought not only new strength but also the chaotic remnants of their former world. Armed with memories of Earth's structures, weapons, and technology, some sought to replicate what they had lost, while others sought to dominate in this unfamiliar land.
...
Whispers of the System spread quickly among the non-human species. Though they lacked direct access to its functions, its effects were impossible to ignore. The humans had gained a path to become a major threat in their long-standing dominion over their kingdoms.
"They've awakened something unnatural," growled a beastkin warrior to his packmates as they watched a skirmish from the shadows of a dense forest. "They're multiplying in power, but they've yet to earn it."
The elven council in the kingdom of Seranith convened for the first time in decades. The sages debated whether humanity's newfound strength posed a threat to the fragile balance of Tulmyria. "Their potential has always been their greatest weakness," one elder warned, "but now it may become their greatest weapon."
Even within the dwarven halls of Karagun, where outsiders were rarely acknowledged, the smiths discussed rumors of human-crafted weapons rivaling their own.
Suspicion grew, and alliances that had once ignored humanity now turned wary. Among the non-human species, a grim understanding spread: if left unchecked, this new generation of humans could tip the scales of power in unpredictable ways.
...
Amid the chaos, the System continued its relentless guidance, offering missions, resources, and rewards to those who dared pursue them. For the transmigrators, it was both a lifeline and a challenge.
[Global Announcement: New Mission Tier Available—'Dominion Trials.']
[Ranked Missions will reward resources and points. Top contributors may earn Legendary Skills.]
The announcement rippled across the Forum, sparking both excitement and fear. The transmigrators realized they weren't just competing against the world—they were competing against each other.
Within hours, the Global Shop saw its first major trade. A rare Elemental Core, retrieved from a dungeon by a bold transmigrator, was auctioned for thousands of System Points. The Forum buzzed with strategies, alliances, and rivalries as transmigrators scrambled to find their place in this new order.
But while many reveled in their newfound power, others struggled. The System's missions were not without cost. Dungeons swallowed the unprepared, their bodies claimed by beasts and traps. For every hero who rose to prominence, countless others faded into obscurity—or death.
...
Back in the isolated mountains of the Ixorym, the upheaval beyond their borders remained hidden. The True Hunter ceremony had marked a significant milestone for Azrytharion, but the Ixorym were oblivious to the wider world's transformation. Their isolation was both a blessing and a vulnerability, shielding them from the chaos while leaving them unprepared for the storm that was brewing.
For now, the Ixorym hunted their beasts and honored their traditions, unaware that humanity, once considered little more than a nuisance, was beginning to rise.
But for the rest of Tulmyria, the tides had already begun to shift. Nations that had ruled for centuries now faced an uncertain future. The transmigrators had yet to unify, yet to consolidate their strength—but the seeds of change had been sown.
And the world would soon discover that even the weakest species, given time and opportunity, could become a force to be reckoned with.