Flayer of the Battlefield

Since teaching smithing and adventuring skills on-site was difficult, Ange shifted his focus to the art of butchery. Dissecting foul spirit corpses became his method of learning, a skill particularly crucial when dealing with their remains. He discovered that the foul spirits' magic-marked hide was not only valuable but could also be traded for gold varks, sparking his keen interest in this skill.

During combat, Ange gradually learned that while the foul spirits' magic-marked hide had value, the infantry regiments and allied forces generally resorted to burning the foul spirit corpses on-site.

There were two reasons for this: Firstly, the foul spirits' blood possessed a corrosive nature, making its handling troublesome and dangerous. Secondly, not all foul spirits had sufficiently intact magic-marked hides that could be sold.

Therefore, to avoid environmental pollution and increased handling difficulties, burning the corpses became the common practice.

To better master this craft, Ange began to utilize the free time after each battle to carefully observe and learn how his comrades handled foul spirit corpses.

He studied not only the methods for processing the magic-marked hide but also various preventative measures and technical details. Although foul spirit corpses were usually quickly incinerated, Ange still did his best to learn as much as he could from them.

Ange purchased a skinning knife from the armory for 1 gold vark. The armory described the knife's blade as being infused with mithril, possessing strong magical and qi force conductivity, which would greatly aid in dissection or skinning work. Ange quickly put his new knife to use in his studies.

While processing foul spirit corpses, Ange discovered that his qi force offered exceptional resistance to the corrosive nature of the foul spirits' blood. As long as he filled his hands with qi force, the foul spirits' blood caused him no harm. This discovery delighted Ange, leading him to appear on the battlefield more frequently. Even without a scheduled rotation, he could request to join combat if he wasn't actively engaged in a battle order. Ange would then swiftly enter the battlefield after the warriors finished their fights to process the foul spirit corpses.

Initially, Ange hoped to encounter foul spirit corpses with magic-marked hides, but after processing nearly 50 corpses, he still hadn't found any. However, he didn't mind; having magic-marked hides was preferable, but their absence didn't hinder his learning and practice. By dissecting a large number of foul spirit corpses, Ange gained a new understanding of their power.

He found that the physical structure of foul spirits was fundamentally different from humans. Magic crystals formed within the foul spirits' heads, and their bones were thick and hard. Ange counted over 350 bones, many of which were exoskeletons, covered by thick skin and serving a defensive purpose. These exoskeletons made the foul spirits harder to defeat in combat, explaining why they were so powerful and formidable.

As his understanding of the foul spirits' physical structure deepened, Ange's skinning and dissection skills became increasingly proficient. He could not only process foul spirit corpses quickly and efficiently but also learned how to avoid the most dangerous parts, ensuring his own safety. These experiences not only allowed Ange to improve his skills in a short period but also laid a solid foundation for his future life and potential career choices.

Ange's efforts and achievements during this time also drew the attention and admiration of other warriors. Although he received no share of the battle merits or magic crystals, his standing and influence within the unit steadily grew.

When Ange's 36th Regiment's rotation was due, he paused his work of dissecting foul spirit corpses and prioritized engaging in combat. Through his dissections of foul spirits, Ange had accumulated a wealth of knowledge about their physical structures, and he shared these findings with his comrades.

Ange organized a small briefing session, detailing the anatomical structures of foul spirits to his comrades. He particularly emphasized their weak points, such as the magic crystals in their heads and the vulnerable spots in their exoskeletons. He also demonstrated how to exploit these weaknesses to attack foul spirits more effectively, thereby reducing the difficulty of frontal assaults.

Ange stated, "Based on my dissections, the foul spirits' magic crystals are located in their heads, which might be their core. Although this part is extremely hard, concentrating attacks here could effectively weaken their combat power. Additionally, while the foul spirits' exoskeletons are tough, they are relatively weaker at the joints and connection points; we can concentrate our firepower on these areas."

This information sparked great interest among his comrades, who eagerly sought Ange's advice on specific attack techniques. Ange patiently answered their questions and demonstrated some effective attack maneuvers and tactics.

When combat resumed, armed with knowledge of the foul spirits' weaknesses, their attacks became more precise and effective. Many warriors adopted Ange's suggestions during battles, successfully defeating multiple foul spirits and reducing their own casualties.

As time passed, Ange's discoveries and shared knowledge gradually spread throughout the 36th Regiment, with more warriors adopting these new tactics. The entire regiment's combat effectiveness significantly improved, and their efficiency in battle greatly increased.

During one battle, Ange encountered a foul spirit that differed from the others. Through observation, Ange noticed that this foul spirit had natural markings on its back. Furthermore, this foul spirit's attacks were particularly vicious, having already claimed the lives of several infantry soldiers. After enduring several engagements, this foul spirit remained alive, leading Ange to suspect that its magic-marked hide would be of great value. Consequently, Ange, along with the warriors in his squad, decided to eliminate this foul spirit.

His comrades, filled with hatred for this foul spirit, enthusiastically responded to Ange's call. Although Ange was not a Level 1 Warrior, his capabilities and tactical acumen were recognized by many. The battle plan was quickly formulated, and everyone prepared everything, awaiting the optimal moment.

When the battle commenced, Ange, relying on his recovery abilities, was the first to launch an assault on this foul spirit. Seeing Ange charge towards it, a cruel smile spread across the foul spirit's face. It intended to make this human who dared to provoke it understand the consequences, especially this one who frequently desecrated the bodies of the great Holy Race; his crime deserved death.

Ange was not intimidated by the foul spirit's ferocity. He keenly observed the foul spirit's movements, seeking any openings. He continuously utilized his agile footwork and precise qi force control to evade the foul spirit's deadly attacks while looking for opportunities to counterattack. The other warriors in the squad provided support from the periphery, forming an effective encirclement.

Amidst the fierce battle, Ange gradually discerned the foul spirit's patterns of movement and its weaknesses. He loudly directed his comrades to concentrate their attacks on the foul spirit's joints, exploiting these vulnerable points to weaken its defenses. The foul spirit became increasingly agitated, and its attacks grew more frenzied.

Soon, through everyone's coordinated efforts, the foul spirit's joints sustained varying degrees of damage, and its movements became sluggish. A warrior seized the opportunity and severed the foul spirit's head with a sword. Before the battle, Ange had specifically instructed everyone not to attack the foul spirit's back, to prevent damage to its magic-marked hide.

After the battle, they moved the foul spirit's corpse back within the defensive line, and Ange immediately began to skin it. After careful tanning, the magic-marked hide became soft and tough, like cloth. Ange also discovered that his qi force could be transmitted along the markings. Although he hadn't yet found any other special properties of the magic-marked hide, this discovery filled him with excitement.

Ange's skinning skills were superb. The armory offered a high price of 11 gold varks for the foul spirit's magic-marked hide, a figure that astonished Ange. He had never imagined he could earn such substantial income through skinning. His comrades were also happy for Ange, stating that they had no need for the proceeds from the foul spirit's magic-marked hide and were willing for Ange to keep it all.

Meanwhile, the foul spirit's magic crystal was handed over to the unit, counted as battle merits for everyone. This operation not only boosted the warriors' morale but also led to a higher evaluation and recognition of Ange's abilities.

Ange addressed the group, "Thank you all for your help. Without everyone working together, I absolutely could not have dealt with this foul spirit alone." His comrades nodded and smiled, acknowledging it as the result of teamwork.

From then on, Ange would hand over the magic crystals of any foul spirit he killed to his comrades as a token of his gratitude for their assistance. At the same time, he paid special attention to foul spirits bearing magic markings and invited his comrades to hunt these specific targets together. After several rotations, Ange had acquired 3 pieces of magic-marked hide, which brought him nearly 30 gold varks in profit.

Ange's generosity and team spirit earned him the respect and support of more comrades. In every operation, he always received the most enthusiastic responses and assistance. The warriors understood that Ange was not fighting solely for his own benefit but for the victory and safety of the entire team.

Through these experiences, Ange not only achieved substantial financial rewards but also gained immense psychological satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. His efforts and wisdom increasingly earned him prestige within the team, making him a figure of trust and reliance for everyone.

Ange's story spread throughout the military camp, becoming an inspiration to other warriors. Some even began to call Ange the "Flayer of the Battlefield."