Chapter 1: The Forgotten One
The sky over Manhattan turned from its usual smoggy gray to an unearthly gold, shimmering like liquid sunlight. Adam Miller sat on the worn couch of his apartment, scrolling through his phone, when the announcement shattered reality.
"The Trial Begins. Humanity Shall Enter the New World. Prepare for Transmigration."
The voice reverberated inside his skull, overpowering the distant wail of sirens and panicked screams outside. Adam dropped his phone, his hands trembling.
"What—what is this?"
The announcement continued, its tone calm but unyielding.
"Each human will be assigned a territory. You will cultivate your land, strengthen yourselves, and conquer hostile zones. The strong will rise; the weak will perish."
As Adam stumbled to his window, the entire city erupted into chaos. People vanished in beams of golden light, leaving their belongings to tumble to the ground. Cars crashed as drivers were pulled away mid-commute. By the time Adam turned back from the window, his own body began to glow faintly.
But unlike the smooth transitions he'd seen outside, his glow sputtered, stuttering like a failing lightbulb. A wave of dizziness hit him, and the world around him vanished.
---
Adam awoke to find himself lying in a field of vivid green grass, the sunlight warm on his skin. Above him stretched an endless blue sky, brighter and clearer than anything he'd ever seen on Earth. A soft breeze carried the scent of flowers and fresh soil.
"Where… am I?" Adam sat up, blinking at the vibrant world around him.
A shimmering blue panel appeared before his eyes, startling him:
Welcome to Eryndor, the World of Trials.
System Initialization Error. Manual Override Engaged. Assigning All Unchosen Abilities to Subject: Adam Miller.
The panel flickered, and a massive list of abilities scrolled into view. Adam gawked as the text kept coming.
Abilities Acquired:
Beast Taming (S): Exceptional ability to bond with and command creatures. Success rate increases with target's intelligence and emotional stability.
Territory Aura (C): Attract skilled individuals to your domain.
Herbal Insight (C): Instinctively identify plants with medicinal or magical properties.
Soil Enrichment (D): Improve the fertility of land for faster and healthier crop growth.
Animal Whisperer (D): Understand and communicate basic intent with non-hostile creatures.
Natural Leader (C): Inspire trust and loyalty among allies.
Adaptation Boost (SS): Upgrade existing abilities upon reaching certain conditions.
Strength (SSS): Locked.
Elemental Mastery (SS): Locked.
Divine Command (SSS): Locked.
Phoenix Rebirth (SS): Locked.
Dimensional Storage (A): Create and access a pocket dimension for storage.
Seed Germination (C): Speed up the growth process of seeds by imbuing them with energy.
Unyielding Will (F): Negate minor mental influences and resist emotional manipulation.
Aura of Harmony (B): Reduce conflicts and foster cooperation in your vicinity.
The list seemed endless, ranging from laughably weak abilities like Enhanced Appetite (F) to godlike powers that were locked away, waiting for the right conditions to unlock.
"This… this can't be real," Adam muttered, rubbing his temples.
A new message appeared.
Territory Assignment Complete.
Current Domain: Grassland Tier 1.
A map displayed his plot of land—a small rectangular section outlined in green, surrounded by vast gray zones labeled as "Unclaimed Monster Territories."
---
Adam explored his surroundings cautiously. The grass was thick and lush, swaying gently in the breeze. At the center of his territory stood a modest wooden cabin, its door slightly ajar.
Inside, he found basic tools: a spade, a hoe, a watering can, and a few seed packets. On a rough wooden table sat a simple note:
"Build. Grow. Conquer. The choice is yours."
The cabin was barebones, but it was a start. Adam felt a strange sense of ownership over the land.
---
As he returned outside, the ground trembled. The forest bordering his domain rustled, and Adam froze. A massive boar burst into the clearing, its eyes glowing red with hostility. Its tusks were jagged, and its muscular frame radiated raw power.
"Seriously? Already?" Adam muttered, gripping the hoe tightly.
A system notification popped up.
Beast Taming Activated.
Target: Infernal Boar. Success Rate: 45%.
"That's… not great odds."
Before Adam could strategize, the boar charged. Its hooves thundered across the ground as it closed the distance.
"Focus, Adam," he whispered, reaching out mentally with his taming ability.
The world seemed to slow as a connection formed. He felt the boar's rage, its territorial instincts clashing with a faint glimmer of curiosity. He pushed through the hostility, projecting calmness and control.
The boar skidded to a stop mere feet away, snorting and pawing the ground. Its glowing eyes dimmed, and its aggressive stance softened.
Taming Successful. Companion Acquired: Infernal Boar.
Adam exhaled sharply. "That… was too close."
He approached cautiously, placing a hand on the boar's thick hide. The creature rumbled contentedly, its massive form now a protective force for Adam's domain.
"I'll call you Brutus," Adam said with a small smile.
---
With Brutus by his side, Adam began testing his abilities.
He scattered the seeds he found in the cabin over a patch of soil. Using Seed Germination, he channeled energy into the ground. Within moments, tiny sprouts emerged, growing rapidly into sturdy plants.
He activated Soil Enrichment, and the earth darkened, its fertility visibly improving. The plants seemed to thrive under his care.
"Not bad," Adam said, wiping sweat from his brow.
His domain was small, but with his abilities, it could become a haven. The Territory Aura would attract skilled NPCs, while Adaptation Boost offered limitless potential for growth.
---
That night, as Adam sat by a small fire outside the cabin, Brutus rested nearby, its massive body radiating warmth. The stars above glittered like a tapestry, alien and beautiful.
"This isn't Earth," Adam said quietly, staring into the flames. "But it's a chance to start over. A chance to build something."
The challenges ahead would be immense. Other humans were scattered across Eryndor, each fighting to survive and expand their territories. Monsters lurked in the unclaimed zones, and not everyone he encountered would be an ally.
But Adam had something no one else did: a system glitch that had turned him into a walking arsenal of potential.
"This land is mine," he whispered. "And I'll make it the strongest domain in this world."