If you are part of the fantasy webnovel community, you already know the name. The Beginning After The End (TBATE) by TurtleMe isn’t just another LitRPG story; it is a masterpiece of world-building, character development, and emotional storytelling.

But if you are still just reading the text, you might be missing out on a whole new dimension of the story. The TBATE Audiobook has taken the community by storm, transforming a beloved webnovel into an immersive experience that rivals traditional fantasy epics.

Whether you are a die-hard fan or a newcomer looking for your next listen, here is everything you need to know about the TBATE audiobook and why it is currently topping the charts.

To be fair, no series is perfect. Before you buy, know these minor complaints about the TBATE audiobook:

As of 2025, the series spans 11 main volumes (with Volume 11 ending the main saga), plus several novellas. This gives you approximately 150+ hours of listening time. For credit-based services like Audible, this offers incredible value. Few top fantasy audiobooks provide this much uninterrupted story arc.

While the webcomic offers stunning visuals and the novel offers deep prose, the audiobook provides the definitive pacing for TBATE’s massive scope. The story spans decades, from the Dicathen grasslands to the treacherous cliffs of Epheotus. Listening to the slow, deliberate rhythm of Arthur’s training with the Asuras allows the world to breathe. Action sequences, such as the raid on the Wall or the fight against the retainers, are delivered with a cinematic cadence that text alone cannot replicate.

Furthermore, the audiobook solves the issue of "info-dumps." TBATE features a complex magic system involving mana cores, affinities (fire, water, earth, wind, and deviant forms like sound and gravity), and Realmheart. A skilled narrator paces these explanations, turning what could be a tedious paragraph into an organic lesson from a mentor like Virion or Rinia. This accessibility is why new listeners rank TBATE highly; they do not need a wiki open to understand the rules of the fight.

If you hang out in fantasy fiction communities, you’ve probably seen the acronym TBATE flying around. The Beginning After The End by TurtleMe has taken the webnovel and light novel world by storm, sitting comfortably at the top of rankings alongside heavyweights like The Wandering Inn and Cradle.

But if you think reading the text is the only way to experience Arthur Leywin’s journey, you are missing out. The TBATE audiobook isn’t just a narration—it is a full-blown performance that brings the world of Dicathen to life.

Whether you are a die-hard fan looking to re-read or a newcomer wondering where to start, here is why the TBATE audiobook should be your next listen.

Why it’s top: This is where the tone shifts. The school arc ends, and the war begins. Travis Baldree’s narration of Arthur’s desperation during the battle against the Retainer is arguably the best 30 minutes of audio in the entire genre.