Changing Equipment

Ang quickly arrived at the Infantry Regiment to report for duty. Together with Jada, he completed the transfer procedures in the Infantry Regiment commander's office. After reviewing the relevant documents, the commander formally approved Ang's admission.

Ang was then assigned to Jada's unit. As he got along with his new comrades, Ang learned that Jada was not only his direct superior but also a company commander in the Infantry Regiment. What surprised and gratified Ang even more was that Jada had personally reported his situation to the regiment commander, making this transfer possible.

Jada showed Ang around the Infantry Regiment's garrison and briefly introduced him to the other soldiers. Afterward, Jada began explaining their Infantry Regiment in detail.

"We belong to Tan'anster's 36th Heavy Infantry Regiment," Jada said. "The regiment commander you met earlier was Richard, commander of the 33rd Infantry Regiment. He is a Level 2 Warrior. The entire duchy has seventy-two heavy infantry regiments, each with around two thousand men."

Jada continued, "There are currently five infantry regiments on the battlefield: the 36th Regiment, 37th Regiment, 38th Regiment, 42nd Regiment, and 43rd Regiment. In addition, three Cavalry Regiments and two Archer Regiments are participating in the fighting."

Jada's explanation gave Ang a clearer understanding of the current military situation. He realized that the environment he was now in was exceptionally complicated and that he had to adapt quickly. Jada also told Ang that the Infantry Regiment suffered the highest casualties of all branches, so he needed to be prepared.

After hearing Jada's explanation, Ang had some idea why he had been transferred to the Infantry Regiment.

After Jada finished speaking, he looked over Ang's equipment and decided to take him to the armory for new gear. They soon arrived at the armory. Ang had guarded the armory during his time in the Logistics Regiment, so he was familiar with the place.

Jada presented the necessary documents, and the armory staff immediately asked Ang about his fighting habits. Ang replied, "I'm good at blocking with a shield and chopping with a hand axe."

The staff member brought out a rectangular, curved shield. Ang examined it carefully and found that it was about as long as his arm, roughly two palm-widths wide, and around one finger joint thick. The shield was made entirely of metal, and the grip on the inside was smoothly designed, comfortable to hold and resistant to slipping. Ang was curious, but this was not the time to investigate further.

He lightly tapped the shield with a finger, producing a crisp ring. The quartermaster explained, "This shield has two enchantment arrays. One is Reinforcement, which increases its durability, while the other is Weight Reduction, which reduces its weight."

Ang tried lifting the shield and found that, without activating its arrays, it weighed around ten kilograms. It was somewhat heavy, but he could feel how sturdy and dependable it was. Ang tried channeling Qi force into the array, and the shield in his hand immediately felt much lighter.

Seeing Ang activate the shield's enchantment array so easily, the quartermaster looked at him with a hint of respect and introduced the axe in his hand with even greater enthusiasm.

The staff member brought out a double-bladed hand axe. Ang examined it closely and found it far superior to the single-edged axe he had used before. A sharp spear point protruded between the axe's two blades, allowing it not only to chop but also to thrust directly, making it more versatile in battle. The staff member explained, "This axe has only one enchantment, Sharpness. Its forging materials are of exceptionally high quality, so there is no need to add other arrays. It pursues the utmost sharpness and durability."

Ang tested the axe's weight and feel, finding it exceptionally well-balanced and easy to wield. He nodded in satisfaction, then asked the staff member for a set of ordinary battle armor. Although the standard equipment of the heavy infantry regiment consisted mainly of black longswords and black heavy armor, Ang felt that his shield and hand axe better suited his fighting style.

The staff member soon handed Ang a set of ordinary battle armor. Though it was not as thick and heavy as heavy armor, it was more flexible and suited Ang's combat style. Ang put it on and found it to be a perfect fit, allowing him to move freely.

Although his equipment looked somewhat out of place within the Infantry Regiment, Ang did not care. He knew he was only on temporary assignment and would apply for discharge once his term of service ended. When he met the regiment commander, Ang explained his situation in detail. "Commander, I am only temporarily assigned to the Infantry Regiment. Once my military service ends, I will apply for discharge."

The Infantry Regiment commander expressed understanding, sharing the same attitude as Queby from the Logistics Regiment. "Ang, I understand your situation. Serve with peace of mind. We will support your decision."

This understanding and support reassured Ang, and he would work hard in the Infantry Regiment because of it.

After changing his equipment, Ang followed Jada back to the garrison. Jada told him, "You can arrange the rest of your time as you wish. First, familiarize yourself with your new equipment."

Ang decided to wear his new equipment to the training grounds and get used to it. After bidding Jada farewell, he headed alone to the Infantry Regiment's training grounds. Other Infantry Regiment soldiers were there as well. When they saw Ang in ordinary armor, with a shield strapped to his left forearm and a double-bladed axe in his right hand, they were all surprised. After all, everyone's equipment was basically the same, while Ang's attire stood out.

Many soldiers stopped what they were doing and watched Ang curiously. Ang smiled and nodded to them in greeting, but said nothing more. Then he began focusing on his training.

Ang first familiarized himself with the shield, testing its sturdiness and the lightness provided by its enchantment. Next, he practiced chopping and thrusting with the double-bladed axe, experiencing how the Sharpness enchantment enhanced the weapon's power. Throughout his training, Ang continually adjusted his stance and movements, gradually adapting to the characteristics of his new equipment.

After training, Ang felt that he had gained a preliminary grasp of how to use his new equipment, and his body was gradually adapting to its new weight and balance.

As he left the training grounds, Ang nodded once more to the soldiers around him.

Ang had dinner with several Infantry Regiment soldiers he had become acquainted with. Everyone sat around a long table, and the atmosphere was harmonious. During dinner, the soldiers enthusiastically told Ang many things he had not known before.

"Did you know that the Black Magic Crystal inside a Demon is a necessary material for Noble Rank Advancement?" one soldier said. "Whenever we defeat a Demon, we try our best to extract the Black Magic Crystal from its body."

Another soldier added, "Some Demons are born with natural magic patterns. Those patterns are precious research materials for the duchy's Magic Alchemists. They are always willing to pay a high price for them."

"Also, Demon hide is excellent material for making armor," a third soldier added. "It is tough and durable, far better than ordinary materials."

Ang listened quietly and silently committed this information to memory, feeling that his knowledge was steadily expanding. He learned more details about Demons and gained a deeper understanding of the duchy's military strategies and Magic Alchemy.

After dinner, Ang thanked the soldiers. "Thank you for sharing. This information is very valuable to me."

The soldiers smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "It's nothing. We're comrades. If there's anything you need to know, just ask us."

The next day, Ang went to the front lines with his teammates to relieve the troops there. The fighting at the front remained fierce. Demons and humans had fallen into a war of attrition, with neither side holding the advantage. No one could say who would endure until the end. The Demons had also begun imitating human tactics, rotating their forces in battle in hopes of keeping both sides' soldiers in a relatively stable fighting state.

Ang's 36th Regiment quickly completed its relief duties with the other Infantry Regiment. Since Ang had previously killed a Demon alone, his fear of Demons had gradually faded. Now, equipped with new gear, Ang instead felt an urgent anticipation. He hoped to fight a Demon as soon as possible, to test the effectiveness of his equipment and his own strength.

After the relief, Ang quickly settled into his role. He carefully checked his equipment to ensure that everything was in order. As the situation at the front continued to change, he also prepared himself for every possible circumstance. When speaking with his new comrades, Ang displayed confidence and enthusiasm, earning more of their trust and expectations.

In the time ahead, Ang looked forward to his first clash with a Demon, fully prepared to demonstrate his abilities and contribute to victory in battle.