Ajal: Woven Through the Realms

The cavern was still, filled only with the soft echo of dripping water. Jagged crystal formations jutted from the stone walls, pulsing faintly as if responding to Ajal's presence. He stood tall, reborn, the first and only of the Vyrinthian—the Fractal Sovereign.

His clawed hand pulsed with power he couldn't yet measure.

"Would you like to initiate your Gacha draw?" Aurielle's voice, elegant and resonant, echoed through his mind like the chime of a silver bell in a cathedral of stars.

"Hell yes." Ajal replied. "Let's see what this Vault of Stars can do."

A soft hum reverberated through the air. Then—

[Gacha Roll Initiated – Vault of Stars]

[Drawing from Cosmic Treasury…]

A swirling gate of violet flame and starlight opened mid-air. Three beams of light surged upward, condensing into floating crystalline cards. Each one rotated slowly, revealing celestial glyphs etched in glowing gold.

[First Draw – Choose One]

-Soulbrand: Ashen Crown of the Devouring Emperor

-A parasitic crown that binds to the user's soul. Grants dominion over weaker minds and increases all mental faculties by 300%. Once per day, may compel absolute obedience from a target 50 levels higher.

-Weapon: Astral Fang – Blade of Extinction

-Forged in the collapse of a dead sun. This greatsword can sever not just flesh, but lineage. Each strike weakens the target's bloodline affinity and cultivation speed. Grows stronger when wielded in dying realms.

-Technique: Genesis Pulse – Fractal Heartflow

-A draconic cultivation method exclusive to higher-dimensional entities. Allows user to absorb ambient energy at tenfold rate, with each pulse expanding the user's core cultivation capacity exponentially.

Ajal's eyes widened. Each one was absurd. Overpowered. But he didn't hesitate long.

"I'll take the Fractal Heartflow technique."

"Wise." Aurielle said as she heard his choice. 

[Genesis Pulse integrated. Adapting to Vyrinthian physiology.]

A rune burned itself into his chest, sinking inward, spiraling around his soul like a blooming sunburst.

Weirdly enough it didn't hurt at all. He stood as the rune finished integrating.

He exhaled. His core—newborn but already immense—pulsed. He could feel the technique breathing with him, feeding on the latent energy of the forbidden cavern. 

"So… I guess it's time for the crash course, Aurielle. What the hell is this world?" He asked because he needed to know something in the slightest, in order to know his next steps. 

"The world is called Asyranth. A broken, ancient realm held together by conflict and ambition. Power is the sole currency of existence. Every continent, every sky fortress, every underwater kingdom—all built upon the bones of those who dared to dream too high."

A galactic map formed before Ajal—vast continents separated by violet seas and storms of Aether. Once the map appeared, Aurielle continued to speak. 

"Power in Asyranth is quantified. Every living being upon awakening will be a level 1 with level 500 being the peak. This governs their strength, resilience, speed, magical capacity, and divine attunement."

"Level 1 to 500 is the First Realm: The Mortal Tier. It is where most of the world struggles and dies. Once Level 500 is attained, ascension to the Second Realm—Transcendent Ascendance—becomes possible."

Hearing this Ajal pondered a bit. He was a transmigrator who had read his fair share of novels. So, knowing this was a world where strength reigned supreme wasn't shocking. However, he had one question. 

"And how do people get stronger here, is it only done through fighting?" 

"No, Ajal. In Asyranth, strength is not gained simply through conflict—it must be anchored into the soul. Growth here follows the Path of Resonance." Aurielle voice sounded.

Then a golden diagram unfolded in his mind—a swirling helix representing the spirit and core.

"Every being possesses a Resonance Core—a metaphysical structure within the soul that harmonizes with the world. This core determines your capacity for power, perception, and presence. Cultivation is the process of refining that core."

"To level up, one must increase their Resonance Quotient (RQ)—a measure of alignment between body, soul, and a chosen Path Archetype."

Ajal raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me this world uses soul-aligned leveling?"

"Yes. You must not only defeat enemies or absorb ambient energy—you must understand what you consume. You must resonate with your growth."

Cultivation in Asyranth – The Path of Resonance

Absorption Phase

-Cultivators absorb Aetheric Mass—magical and metaphysical residue—through battle, meditation, devouring sacred beasts, or relic synthesis. This raw power fuels growth but remains inert until refined.

Resonance Phase

-The cultivator must meditate within a Soul Halo, a ritual formation that allows them to draw connections between what they've consumed and their Path Archetype—a personal philosophy or concept of power. Only by aligning their essence with this Path can their level increase.

Sublimation Phase

-Once enough RQ is gathered and synchronized, a cultivator undergoes Sublimation—a spiritual "level-up" that refines body and soul. Each Sublimation event becomes more intense and symbolic as one ascends the levels.

Path Archetypes – Unique Roads to Power

"Every cultivator must define their Archetype—their ideological vector of evolution." Aurielle explained.

"Some follow the Path of the Warlord, drawing strength from conquest. Others walk the Path of the Mirror, growing stronger through self-perfection. Still others choose ancient symbols—fire, blood, entropy, harmony."

"Your Path Archetype is yet undefined. As a Vyrinthian, your nature allows for Trans-Archetypal Resonance—you may change or combine Paths, breaking even the rules of resonance."

Ajal grinned. "So, I don't just get stronger by punching harder. I get stronger by understanding what I punch—and why."

"Precisely."

"Your current technique, Fractal Heartflow, accelerates all phases: absorption, resonance, and sublimation. You may level at exponential rates… if your mind and soul can keep pace."

Leveling Thresholds in Asyranth

Level 1–99: Novice Stage. Basic resonance mastery. Individuals are barely awakened.

Level 100–299: Pathwalkers. Begin aligning to Archetypes. Access to mid-tier techniques, Soul Halos, and class awakenings.

Level 300–499: Ascendant Class. Reality-benders. Capable of altering matter, resisting natural law, and challenging world factions.

Level 500: Threshold of Transcendence. Crossing this boundary begins the Second Realm—The Realm of Abstract Sovereignty.

"The Second Realm," Aurielle murmured, "is not yet yours to touch. But when you reach it… you will cease to be mortal in every sense."