As players of Monster Hunter and Dungeons & Dragons know, the slime is not exactly the king of the fantasy monsters. So when a 37-year-old Tokyo salaryman dies and wakes up in a world of elves and magic, he's a little disappointed to find he's become a blind, boneless slime monster.THE BEAST AWAKENSAfter his humiliating defeat at the hands of Milim, Demon Lord Carrion's follower Phobio seethes with anger. His negative emotions make him a perfect vessel for the legendary Charybdis, so Footman and Tear of the Moderate Harlequin Alliance pay Phobio a visit in the hopes of summoning the grand beast. Before long, Rimuru receives a report that Charybdis has indeed come to life, and is heading for Tempest. Where f irst there were just rumors of this conspiracy, now there's the telltale smoke of an approaching battle...THE STORY THAT INSPIRED THE ANIME!