Chapter 2: The Second Day After Reincarnating as Rimuru

“No way, is this thing really coming straight for me???”

In the pre-dawn darkness, before the sun had risen, that golden light was strikingly obvious, and its speed was terrifying. The weapon’s form gradually sharpened from a blur, until Rimuru could finally make out that it wasn’t a shooting star, but a deadly, lethal spear of rock.

The tip gleamed with a chilling light, and the spear’s reflection grew larger and larger in Rimuru’s eyes.

Judging by the size of that spearhead, it was clearly designed to take out a slime in one blow.

Being a slime at the moment, Rimuru’s face went ashen in shock. “I’m just an ordinary little slime! What did I do to deserve this?!”

Strictly speaking, by the time of his reincarnation, he’d only just been born, not even a month old, not even a single day! Did they really need such a huge stone spear to deal with a tiny baby like him?

How excessive!

The newly transformed human-shaped slime wore a look of indignation and grief. Was the world’s malice toward him really so overwhelming?

Why did they have to target him like this?

What a rotten world—doomed, for sure!

Even as he complained, the stone spear didn’t slow in the slightest, surging toward him with unstoppable force. The violent air currents whipped Rimuru’s long blue hair around his waist and stung his cheeks, while the overwhelming pressure left him, a former ordinary human, nearly breathless.

As death’s shadow loomed, the extremity of fear reminded Rimuru: he was no longer a weak, defenseless human.

That’s right, now he was Rimuru the Slime.

So what if it was a spear as deadly as a nuke? Couldn’t he just eat it?

The terror on Rimuru’s delicate face froze, then slowly faded.

Expressionless, he raised his hand, a hint of madness glinting in his golden eyes.

“Raphael, I can definitely eat an attack of this level, right?”

His voice carried a confidence that brooked no refusal, and Raphael’s answer didn’t disappoint.

[Understood. Receiving command. Analysis commencing.]

[Notice: Analysis complete. Probability of devouring the attack with “Gluttonous King” is 100%. Would you like to activate “Gluttonous King”?]

Of course: “Yes.”

The spear’s wind gusted through the boy’s blue hair, fully exposing Rimuru’s unrestrained, audacious face. Just as the tip was about to pierce his body, a wild grin broke out across his young, delicate features.

“Devour it all—Gluttonous King!”

A mere stone spear? Watch me swallow it whole!

A black vortex of magicules blossomed from his palm, swelling dozens of times in an instant like a flower of the underworld—a miniature black hole that easily consumed the massive stone spear hurled at him, leaving nothing behind.

—And there, it’s done!

Rimuru made a show of patting his dust-free hands and let out a satisfied burp. “Thanks for the meal~”

[Notice: Ten seconds until the arrival of a high-level rock elemental lifeform. Countdown: ten, nine, eight, seven…]

“Huh? It’s not over?!”

Rimuru puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. Was this ever going to end? Were they really going to keep chasing him?

If they kept this up, he’d eat every last one of them, just like he’d swallowed that spear!

Not wanting to invite more trouble, Rimuru considered making a run for it, while Raphael continued its diligent countdown in his mind.

[Notice: Escape route has been mapped. Also, countdown continues—five, four…]

Raphael truly lived up to its reputation as an ultimate skill. The moment Rimuru made his decision, the escape route was already charted, and the countdown’s rhythm never faltered.

“Nice! As expected of Teacher Raphael—honestly, I don’t know how I’d survive in this lonely, dangerous world without you~”

Rimuru’s heartfelt praise made Raphael’s broadcasted voice pitch up a notch.

[Rest assured, Raphael will always be with you.]

Raphael responded warmly, but quickly shifted to a warning tone: [Additionally, the opponent’s intentions are unclear. Please proceed with caution.]

“Yeah, yeah, got it~” Rimuru waved his hand nonchalantly. “That’s why I’m getting ready to run, see?”

Just as the countdown reached its final tick and Rimuru was about to make his escape, a voice suddenly sounded behind him, freezing him in his tracks.

“To brazenly demonstrate your power in my territory, under the protection of Morax—should I take this as a provocation?”

‘It may sound like a question, but you’ve already decided I’m provoking you, haven’t you? And how is this a provocation? I could sue you for slander!’ Rimuru bristled inwardly, though he couldn’t help but notice how pleasant the other’s voice was—it was almost distracting!

The crash of the stone spear had kicked up a cloud of dust, but as Raphael’s countdown ended and the first rays of sun broke over the horizon, the haze dissipated.

And so, the unfamiliar god strode into Rimuru’s world with overwhelming presence, bathed in the dawn’s first light.

—So dazzling!

His earlier indignation forgotten, Rimuru’s eyes went wide, utterly transfixed. Wow, not only was this person’s voice enough to make a person’s knees go weak, even his face was just Rimuru’s type!

And—wait, were those dragon horns on his head? That was just unfair!

How was he supposed to stay mad at someone with a face like that?

The love of dragons was ingrained in every Chinese soul; falling head over heels was only natural, wasn’t it?

Without blinking, Rimuru stared straight at that beautiful face, lost in thought.

Morax took a discreet step back: “…”

It was the first time someone had so openly admired (or perhaps, coveted) him. The God of Rock was clearly uneasy, momentarily forgetting what he’d meant to do next.

But his attention was quickly diverted by Rimuru’s total lack of clothing.

A look of confusion crossed Morax’s stern face. Why was this equally powerful opponent presenting himself in such an undignified form?

After all, even gods born of nature would not appear before others in a fully naked human form at their most naïve and innocent.

—Most were beast-shaped, anyway.

Could this, too, be part of his provocation?

Gaze lingering on the other’s bare form for a few seconds, Morax soon regained his composure. He raised his gold-etched arm and issued a cold warning.

“Uninvited guest, leave my territory at once, or I’ll let you taste what it’s like to be pierced by hundreds of stone spears.”

That Rimuru could withstand his rock spear had been within Morax’s expectations. He anticipated that the other would fly into a rage, which would justify using force to drive him away.

But… something seemed off. This humanoid monster, upon seeing him, not only refrained from attacking, but even wore an expression that looked… less than serious.

Even if Rimuru appeared harmless, Morax would not lower his guard. Eliminating potential threats to his people was his duty as a god.

“I’ll say it once more: leave—unknown monster.”

The Rock God’s face was cold and hard as he issued his command to the blue-haired youth.

Unknown monster?!

How rude!

Coming to his senses, Rimuru was suddenly seized by an inexplicable impulse. He planted his hands on his hips and glared, retorting, “What’s your problem, you rude jerk! I have a name—it’s Rimuru!”

But facing that mesmerizing, horned face, Rimuru found himself unable to speak harshly. Realizing this, he inwardly cursed himself for being so useless.

As the angry boy puffed out his chest, his long hair shifted, exposing even more of his body to Morax’s gaze, his bare skin brazenly displayed before the young god.

“…”

Did this creature not realize his own state? Clearly, their powers were on par, but his mental faculties seemed… questionable.

Watching the unabashed gesture, Morax found himself genuinely perplexed.

Perhaps his stare was too obvious, or perhaps the sensation of cool air on his skin finally registered—Rimuru looked down.

Gazing at his naked body, his first thought was: Huh, my skin is a creamy white.

And then—

“Holy—!!!”

Help, help, help, why was he naked?!

A shrill, flustered cry split the morning air, so loud and crude that Morax, whose ears were sharp and unguarded, frowned ever so slightly.

Realizing he’d just put on a public spectacle, Rimuru’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. He no longer cared how Morax might respond; all he wanted was to find a hole and play dead.

—Could someone erase his memory, please?!

—And while they were at it, erase that dragon-horned hottie’s memory too!

[Analysis complete. That is currently not possible.]

The King of Wisdom delivered its verdict with perfect composure.

“Don’t tell me such a hopeless verdict!” Rimuru wailed at his own skill. This unchangeable reality was enough to make any slime despair!

All mortals face death, but social death is simply unacceptable!

Rimuru’s muttering to himself made Morax instantly wary—he now suspected Rimuru of feigning madness to lull him into carelessness and launch a sneak attack.

“Outsider, since you choose to stay, don’t regret it.”

The young and impetuous Rock God was done talking. He raised his arm, and golden runes flared to life along his skin. For a god of rock, manipulating earth was as instinctive as moving one’s own hands.

Vast quantities of rock elements gathered, condensed, and stretched behind him.

One spear after another appeared in the air, forming a phalanx that threatened to skewer Rimuru like a porcupine.

Realizing he’d been parading around naked in front of the dragon-horned beauty, Rimuru’s composure shattered. He sneaked a glance at the fierce, hostile little “dragon boy” floating nearby, and a wave of shame and grievance overwhelmed him. With a pop, he reverted from human form to his slime body.

Curled up in his slime form, Rimuru sobbed, “Waaah, why are you so mean to me? I swear I’m not an evil slime!”

Morax: “…?”

Morax, fierce as ever and utterly oblivious, froze in confusion—even the arrayed stone spears behind him hesitated and trembled.

Why did this creature, whose power matched his own, burst into tears because of him?

Was he really that intimidating?