Warmth.
It was the first thing Jiro felt after being torn from the void—a sensation so ordinary, yet so overwhelming, it almost brought him to tears. Then came movement. Not of limbs or fingers, but of… wobbling?
He opened his eyes—or something close to it—and the world came into focus. A glowing cave stretched around him, its walls laced with pale blue crystals and bioluminescent moss. Water trickled gently in the distance. Everything shimmered like a dream.
Jiro tried to sit up, but there were no arms or legs. No bones. No spine.
What the…?
He bounced. Literally.
I'm… a slime?
He glanced down—his body was a glossy orb, semi-transparent and blue-tinged. A puddle with a personality.
"Well, this is humbling."
His voice echoed in his mind. It wasn't speech—more like thoughts projected into the air. Just as he was figuring that out, a giggle floated toward him.
"Yo! Another one?"
Jiro blinked—metaphorically again—and turned his gooey body to the side.
There it was. Another slime, identical in shape and glow, bouncing toward him with cheerful energy. Its movements were smooth, confident, almost joyful.
"Uh… hi?" Jiro responded mentally.
The other slime blinked. "Wait… you talked back?!"
"Yeah? Why wouldn't I?"
"That's… new," the other slime muttered. "You're not a normal reincarnation, are you?"
"Nope. You could say I got the deluxe package." Jiro tilted slightly, mimicking a bow. "Takihara Jiro. And you?"
"Rimuru Tempest," the other slime beamed. "Nice to meet you!"
Jiro froze. It's really him… Rimuru. The future Demon Lord. He chuckled inwardly. Guess the Origin God kept his word.
As the two slimes began bouncing side by side, exploring the cave, Jiro took inventory of his body. At his mental request, a glowing panel appeared in his vision:
Name: Takihara JiroRace: Slime (Special Hybrid)Titles: Reincarnated Soul, Dragon-Blooded, Vampire-BornUnique Skills:— Bloodflare: Converts blood energy into elemental fire— Predator (Shared with Rimuru)— Weapon Mastery (EX)— Great Sage
A smile curved through his essence. He didn't just reincarnate—he was reborn as something entirely new.
"So, Jiro," Rimuru said, bouncing in a small circle, "where'd you come from?"
"Tokyo. I died in an alley. Long story. You?"
"Same. Except I was stabbed. Dying sucked."
The two slimes shared a telepathic laugh. It was strange—Jiro had never felt so free. No anxiety, no societal pressure. Just… existence.
As they roamed the cave, Rimuru began explaining how he learned to absorb materials—ores, herbs, even minerals—to strengthen his body and gain skills.
"You've got the same ability, right?" Rimuru asked.
"Predator? Yeah. I've also got one called Bloodflare. No clue what it does yet, though."
"Sounds badass," Rimuru said. "Bet it looks cool."
Suddenly, the air shifted. A pulse of power swept through the cave, shaking the walls.
Jiro and Rimuru froze.
That… didn't feel like an earthquake.
A deep voice echoed, ancient and commanding.
"Another soul… no, two? Hmm… fascinating."
From the depths of the cave, golden eyes opened.
Jiro's instincts roared in warning. The presence wasn't just powerful—it was legendary.
"Rimuru," Jiro said cautiously, "I think we just found Veldora."