Zoe began to study the meditation method in his hands.
Based on his experience practicing [Sable-style Swordsmanship], this seemed to be a legitimate meditation method.
Even if there were some issues with it, it probably wouldn't cause him any real harm.
At worst, he just wouldn't be able to learn it.
Zoe began his research. Meditation methods primarily utilized the mind and body to capture mana from the atmosphere.
Therefore, as long as one possessed conscious awareness, a physical body, and sufficient intelligence, they could cultivate it.
Under the influence of [Apprentice D], Zoe rapidly memorized and comprehended the meditation method in his possession.
Once his study session surpassed two hours, [Diligence Compensates for Lack of Talent E] triggered, boosting Zoe's learning capacity yet again.
Once [Diligence Compensates for Lack of Talent E] activated, he was loath to stop. The moment he halted, the talent's effect would break, making him feel quite dull-witted in comparison.
Because of this, Zoe had to slash his sleeping hours to carve out more time for studying the meditation method.
Thereafter, his interrogation sessions with the captive devolved into simple force-feeding. Aside from his unshakable morning hunts, he even compressed his afternoon training to devote every possible moment to learning the meditation method.
Ten days later, the season had shifted to the Month of Midsummer (July).
After ten days of arduous effort, Zoe finally achieved Beginner mastery in the meditation method.
To his shock, the quality of this meditation method was extraordinarily high.
[Canon of Withered Life Lv. 1 (B-grade)]
The skill [Canon of Withered Life] fell under the category of basic skills. Just like [Sable-style Swordsmanship], basic skills would not disappear upon reincarnation.
“How is this possible? How could a guy like him possess such a high-quality meditation method?”
“Something is wrong.”
High-grade meditation methods were even more precious than high-grade skills. A meditation method was the foundation of a spellcaster, determining their absolute ceiling.
Unless... there was something wrong with this meditation method.
A fellow like Elijah couldn't possibly harbor such goodwill.
Zoe clicked open the description for [Canon of Withered Life] to confirm the skill's effects.
[Canon of Withered Life Lv. 1 (B-grade)] meditation method. Squeezes life force until it withers, condensing the most abundant fruit. Capable of consuming lifespan to activate Withered State and Fruition State.
Withered State: Consumes 1 year of lifespan in exchange for one month of enhanced talent.
Fruition State: Consumes 10 years of lifespan to temporarily grant double one's total mana capacity.
Withered Fruition State: Consumes all remaining lifespan. Level is permanently increased by 1, all stats are increased by 5, and grants 10 times one's total mana capacity. Talent is elevated to the physical limit of the body. Death occurs after maintaining this state for one minute.
Note 1: Leveling up this meditation method will consume a vast amount of lifespan. The higher the level of the meditation method, the more lifespan is consumed, but it will increase class level by 1 (limited to below Lv. 60, cannot break through race level cap).
Upgrading to Lv. 2 is estimated to consume 20 years of lifespan.
Note 2: When meditating using this method, the rate of lifespan depletion is multiplied by 4.
Clatter.
The stone tablet in Zoe's hands slipped and clattered straight onto the ground.
“Puji, puji! What kind of god-tier skill is this??”
“This is way too powerful!”
No wonder. No wonder Elijah had given him such a high-quality meditation method.
He was hoping he would die early.
But what could a mere slime do? Since Elijah wished for his death so desperately, he had no choice but to grant that wish.
Withered State, activate!
In an instant, a faint green light flashed across Zoe's body. His mana instantly plummeted to zero, and his entire body went completely limp, as if all vitality had been sucked clean out of him.
As Withered State activated, Zoe's perception of the life force within his body grew incredibly clear.
A High Slime possessed extremely robust vitality. By Zoe's estimates, he had roughly 120 years of lifespan remaining.
This abundant vitality stemmed entirely from his skill, [High-speed Regeneration].
“Does a skill like [High-speed Regeneration] actually increase one's lifespan?”
With so much lifespan to spare, he could burn through it however he pleased. Zoe didn't intend to live for a whole 120 years in this lifetime anyway.
Once he reached the level cap, he would just find an opportunity to take some scum down with him.
Zoe felt the enhancement of his talents.
The boost to his talents was comprehensive. Zoe could feel that his mana recovery rate had slightly increased.
In addition, his thoughts had become much clearer and sharper.
It was almost as if his [Diligence Compensates for Lack of Talent E] talent was constantly active.
If he stacked the talent of [Diligence Compensates for Lack of Talent E] on top of this, could he technically be considered a DIY genius?
Turns out his legendary talent was something he had to piece together himself.
Zoe then steadied his mind and began to operate the [Canon of Withered Life] meditation method.
As his mind settled into absolute tranquility, Zoe could faintly perceive the mana drifting in the atmosphere.
And his spirit, acting like a magnet, slowly drew this mana, pulling it into his body.
His body, which had been completely drained of mana, was gradually refilled by the incoming flow.
At the same time, deep within Zoe, the life force that symbolized his lifespan began to deplete at an accelerated rate.
His mana recovery speed was now eight times its normal rate.
Given Zoe's current total mana, it would take him four hours to fully recover by running the meditation method.
In reality, for the vast majority of spellcasters, mana recovery speed did not scale proportionally with their total mana capacity.
When total mana was at 100, recovering it might take two hours.
But when total mana reached 1,000, recovering it could take five hours or even longer.
Typically, the greater one's mana, the more time was required to replenish it after it was depleted.
In heroic epics, legendary spellcasters often had to spend days recovering their mana after a single high-intensity battle.
That was a prime example of having such an immense mana pool that recovery speed simply couldn't keep pace.
Fortunately, Zoe did not have that kind of luxury problem for now.
Whenever Zoe felt satisfied with his total mana, the skill [Dragon Flame] would deliver a harsh reality check.
Besides, he still had his divine-tier [Digest] skill, which could help him recover mana quickly.
With his mana fully restored, Zoe hopped toward the mine shaft where Elijah was kept.
Elijah had gone to such great lengths to prepare this grand gift for him; he absolutely had to return the favor properly.
“Puji.”
Zoe used his slime to pop up a text box. This was a technique he had honed through his high-intensity interrogations over the past few days.
It was just that a “puji” sound effect accompanied it every time, making it seem like he was trying to act cute. He really hated that.
“You can go die now. How do you want to die?”
Seeing the words in the box, Elijah's face twisted in agony, seemingly filled with resentment that he wouldn't be able to witness Zoe's demise.
“Accursed slime! Even in death, I will not let you off! I curse you to never find peace for all eternity!”
His eyes bloodshot, Elijah shrieked hysterical curses from amidst his own filth.
“Puji.”
“Thank you for your blessings. You're actually a pretty decent guy. As a reward, I grant you the punishment of bone-melting acid.”
With that, Zoe extended a tubular slime tentacle and aimed it down the shaft at Elijah.
After all, the bottom of the shaft was covered in Elijah's feces. Getting his hands dirty to kill him would be too disgusting; it was better to purify everything with acid.
“Bone-melting acid?”
Elijah looked up, not yet fully comprehending what kind of death this would be.
Meanwhile, the tubular tentacle Zoe had extended was already spraying acid.
“Don't tell me—No!”
“I don't want to die in such agony! No!”
Elijah froze for a second as those words left his mouth.
He had heard these exact lines countless times before—from the very people he had tortured to death.
Yet now, he was uttering the very same words.
He had actually fallen to the same level as those miserable wretches? Him, Elijah?
“You bastard! How could I possibly be like them? Die! Go to hell, all of you!”
Elijah roared in fury, but the acid had already begun to submerge his body.
The intense burning and agonizing pain forced him to roll around frantically, desperate to escape the liquid.
But the bottom of the shaft was only so large. No matter how much he squirmed, his body was destined to be swallowed by the acid and corroded piece by piece.
“It hurts! It hurts so much! Have mercy on me!”
Elijah began to beg for mercy again, yet every plea that came out of his mouth echoed the very words spoken by those he had once tortured to death.
This only made him roar with even greater rage.
“Puji.”
“Utterly beyond redemption.”
Zoe popped up a final text box before turning around and hopping away. He had to cherish every second of his training; after all, this was genius-level time bought with a year of his lifespan.
At the bottom of the shaft, Elijah could only watch helplessly as Zoe departed. He wailed, begged, and cursed in the silent mine.
Ultimately, after watching his body dissolve layer by layer, his soul and consciousness dissolved into the acid as well.
Leaving behind nothing but dregs settling at the bottom of the shaft.
Killed [Mid-tier Elemental Mage Lv. 22, Experience +40]
Rate on N.U.
