There exists a particular breed of reader—and I daresay you are one of them—who, having devoured the epic saga of Zac Atwood’s rise from ordinary man to something rather extraordinary in Defiance of the Fall, finds themselves quite bereft. The appetite for system apocalypses, for cultivation and class systems, for watching an overpowered hero carve their path through a multiverse of impossible challenges—it does not diminish simply because one reaches the final page.
Fear not, dear adventurer. I have gathered for you fourteen magnificent tales, each carrying that same spark of wonder that first drew you to TheFirstDefier’s masterwork. Shall we begin?
The Primal Hunter by Zogarth
If ever there existed a spiritual cousin to Defiance of the Fall, it is surely this extraordinary saga. Jake, an unremarkable office worker, awakens to find his world transformed into a multiverse of levels, classes, and delightful dangers. Where Zac discovered an axe and a will to survive, Jake discovers something rather more primal—a hunter’s instinct that even the gods must respect.
The system mechanics here are equally intricate, the progression equally satisfying, and the protagonist equally determined to punch above his weight class. With over fifteen books now published and millions enraptured on Royal Road, this is where you begin.
He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
Our hero Jason is Australian, rather sardonic, and finds himself transported to a world where his particular brand of wit meets an entirely serious magical hierarchy. The clash is absolutely magnificent. Where Zac builds his power through relentless combat, Jason builds his through cleverness, cheek, and an unsettling affinity for affliction-based magic.
The layered ranking system—from Iron through Gold to Diamond—provides that wonderful sense of progression one craves. And Jason’s tendency to aggravate the powerful while defending the powerless? Quite irresistible.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Here is something altogether different and yet entirely essential. When aliens transform Earth into an eighteen-level dungeon for their entertainment, Carl—a Coast Guard veteran in boxer shorts—and Princess Donut—his ex-girlfriend’s remarkably opinionated cat—become unlikely contestants in the deadliest game show ever broadcast.
The humor is dark, the action relentless, and the heart quite unexpectedly large. Where Defiance of the Fall offers earnest heroism, Carl offers pointed satire—and both deliver spectacular progression through impossible odds.
Azarinth Healer by Rhaegar
Ilea likes punching things. This simple truth becomes the foundation for one of the most satisfying power progressions in the genre. Transported to a world of monsters and magic, she discovers her gift: a dual-class system combining devastating combat with healing magic.
With sixty million views and a completed story arc, this is the tale of a woman who refuses every conventional expectation and becomes something quite unstoppable through sheer determination and an exceptional talent for violence.
The Wandering Inn by pirateaba
Picture, if you will, a story told at the pace of a slow-cooked feast rather than a sprint. Erin Solstice, transported to a world of levels and classes, becomes not a warrior but an innkeeper. Her weapon is hospitality. Her progression is measured in friendships formed and communities built.
This is the cozy counterpoint to Zac’s endless battles—millions of words of found family, gentle humor, and the quiet power of bringing disparate people together around a good meal.
Cradle by Will Wight
Should you wish to understand cultivation done perfectly, look no further. Wei Shi Lindon begins as an Unsouled—forbidden from learning the sacred arts of his clan. He ends as something that makes the very gods tremble. The journey between is twelve books of flawless progression fantasy.
The magic system of madra and sacred arts provides endless variety. The found family at its heart provides warmth. And the pacing? Positively breathless.
The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound by puddles4263
Randidly’s Earth transforms under the System’s arrival, but our hero finds himself trapped in a dungeon where time moves differently. Months of hellish training compress into hours, and he emerges fundamentally changed—more powerful than any newly awakened human should be.
If you loved how Zac’s early isolation shaped him, you will find similar satisfaction here. The path system offers infinite customization, and Randidly’s choices ripple outward to affect all of humanity.
Reborn: Apocalypse by L.M. Kerr
Micheal Care dies. Humanity falls. The seven-layered world defeats us all. But then—a miraculous artifact, a second chance, and memories of the future transported back to the beginning. This is the time-loop apocalypse done with strategic brilliance.
Where Zac fights with instinct and determination, Micheal fights with foreknowledge and careful planning. The satisfaction of watching him prevent catastrophes only he knows are coming is quite extraordinary.
Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor & Luke Chmilenko
In the distant future, humanity fights an interstellar war with Combat Assistance Devices—alien technology that bonds with warriors and evolves alongside them. Reidon Ward, born weak and sickly, should never have received a CAD at all.
His was supposed to be worthless. It becomes legendary. This is the underdog story carried to its ultimate expression—academy battles, training montages, and a protagonist whose will simply refuses to acknowledge his limitations.
Beware of Chicken by CasualFarmer
Jin Rou should be cultivating power, climbing sects, defeating rivals. Instead, he abandons the martial world entirely to become a farmer. His chicken gains sentience. His farm becomes accidentally legendary. And somehow, this cozy subversion of every cultivation trope becomes utterly captivating.
For those moments when you desire the warmth of progression without the constant warfare, this is pure comfort reading with surprisingly powerful moments.
Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić
Zorian Kazinski dies on the eve of a summer festival. Then he wakes up, a month prior, with full memories of what came before. Trapped in this temporal loop, he transforms from a mediocre magical student into something approaching mastery.
The satisfaction of watching his skillset expand—loop after loop after loop—while unraveling the conspiracy behind his imprisonment is absolutely exceptional. This remains the gold standard for time-loop fantasy.
Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Alex Roth receives the worst possible divine blessing: the Mark of the Fool, which actively prevents him from learning combat magic. Rather than accept this limitation, he exploits every loophole, attends a magical university, and proves that determination trumps destiny.
The academic setting provides structure, the magic system provides depth, and Alex’s refusal to be defined by his mark provides inspiration.
Ascend Online by Luke Chmilenko
For those who loved the town-building elements of Defiance of the Fall, this virtual reality tale delivers satisfaction in abundance. Marcus enters a revolutionary game world, finds himself defending a village from goblin hordes, and slowly builds something remarkable from the ruins.
The crafting systems are detailed, the progression meaningful, and the camaraderie of his adventuring party genuinely warm.
Life in the North by Tao Wong
John wanted a vacation in the Canadian wilderness. The System arrived instead, transforming Earth into a dungeon world of monsters and levels. His journey from isolated survivor to humanity’s defender spans twelve books of increasingly epic scope.
The Canadian setting offers unique flavor, the progression system offers satisfying crunch, and the apocalypse offers plenty of opportunity for heroism.
Your Next Great Adventure Awaits
Each of these tales carries something of what makes Defiance of the Fall so magnificent—the satisfaction of watching someone grow stronger, the wonder of systems and skills and levels, the joy of watching impossible challenges fall before determined heroes.
Some emphasize humor where Zac emphasizes earnestness. Some favor cultivation where Zac favors LitRPG. Some prefer cozy farm life where Zac prefers cosmic war. But all understand the fundamental truth: watching someone become powerful, one hard-won level at a time, is one of fiction’s greatest pleasures.
Begin wherever calls to you. The multiverse awaits.
