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When Bone Ash, the Skeleton Squad's junior leader, hurried back to the Graveyard Demon after receiving orders, Gu Su was squatting in front of a stall at the Nether Soul Shop, holding a wooden bowl of steaming chicken soup. He slurped at the broth while casually sizing up the three new items that had appeared in the shop today, looking perfectly at ease.
The three items were neatly arranged.
One was a fist-sized, transparent crystal, with faint wisps of black energy swirling inside.
One was a blackened rag doll with frayed edges. Its fabric was stiff, and it looked distinctly eerie.
There was also a plate of offerings that was nearly rotten. The fruit had shriveled and turned black, yet still gave off a faint trace of death energy.
[Cursed Crystal (White): Can be used to inflict a low-level curse on a target. Having borne too much curse power, the crystal's surface is wreathed in a dense, eerie aura and cursed energy. (Price: 8 gold coins)] [Bloodstained Rag Doll (White): A battered rag doll that has absorbed a large amount of blood and its former owner's resentment. It has developed a faint viciousness and can be used as a makeshift weapon. (Price: 7 gold coins)] [Death-Tainted Offering (White): An offering once used in a tombside ritual. It contains a faint trace of death energy. An ordinary person who eats it will become tainted by evil energy, while the undead can consume it to replenish a small amount of energy. (Price: 4 gold coins)]
Noticing Bone Ash hurry over, his steps a little lighter than those of an ordinary skeleton, Gu Su casually picked up the plate of Death-Tainted Offerings from the stall and tossed it to him. "Here. This is for you."
Bone Ash reflexively reached out with his bony hand and caught the offerings. He was just about to bring them to his mouth when he heard Gu Su and stopped, stiffly lifting his head.
Gu Su looked him over, pointed at his back and waist, and raised an eyebrow. "What's all this stuff you've got on you? You're different from the other skeletons."
Bone Ash quickly lowered his head. His voice was hoarse and dry, but respectful as he explained, "My lord, this flag on my back appeared after I was promoted to junior leader.
"As for the things hanging from my waist, I made them from discarded parts I picked up while gathering materials in the shop. They make it easier to work."
What Gu Su was referring to was Bone Ash's appearance. His clothes were still just like those of an ordinary skeleton: worn out and covered in dust.
But a small, triangular flag with a blue background was planted conspicuously in his back. Half of a hideous skull had been drawn on it in black, and it swayed gently in the wind, looking quite unusual.
The number "25/25" also showed that his squad was at full strength.
This flag-on-the-back style was pretty conspicuous. At least on the battlefield, it made it easy to tell the commander from the ordinary soldiers.
Still, having a back full of flags was a gag that wasn't funny at all.
When Gu Su saw it, his first reaction had been to laugh.
Looking at Bone Ash's waist, he saw a string of simple but neatly made tools hanging there.
There was a tiny iron hammer, a rusty pair of pliers, a sharpened little knife, and several screwdrivers of different sizes. It was obvious at a glance that they'd been cobbled together by hand. Those tools were what made him stand out from the otherwise dull skeletons.
Gu Su casually opened Bone Ash's status panel, and a line of clear information appeared before his eyes.
[Bone Ash (Level 0, Summoned Creature, Junior Leader): Experience (54/100), Attack 1, Defense 1, Health 10, Talent: Scavenging]
After scanning the panel, Gu Su looked back at Bone Ash and asked directly, "Your talent is Scavenging? What exactly does it do?"
Bone Ash hurriedly explained in detail, sounding more serious. "My lord, my Scavenging Talent lets me quickly determine what each item is used for when searching through supplies. I can pick out anything still usable from a pile of trash.
"I can also do some basic processing of discarded junk, turning useless trash into simple, usable items.
"On top of that, I know how to pack things. I can fit the most items into the least space.
"Before, we had to haul the sheets of metal back just as they were.
"Now we can compress them into small bundles and bring them back.
"Each cart can carry two or three times as much as before.
"Most importantly, the skeletons in my squad are affected by my talent, too. They can learn these skills from me."
He paused, then added, "They've already learned to skin animals, process hides, gather wild herbs, and pack all kinds of supplies. They can handle these detailed tasks now instead of just mindlessly carrying things like before.
"Most importantly, they're all very obedient now. My lord doesn't need to give each of them orders one by one."
Hearing this, Gu Su instinctively looked toward the animal hides drying neatly beside the wall. He immediately understood.
No wonder the skeletons had been so skilled and orderly when drying the hides. They'd learned it from Bone Ash. It was all thanks to his Scavenging Talent.
Gu Su nodded with satisfaction, his voice carrying a hint of praise. "Not bad. It may not be a combat talent, but at this stage, it's the most practical and convenient one.
"Otherwise, these skeletons are all so stupid you'd think they had no brains. You have to tell each one what to do before it'll do anything.
"From now on, the squad you lead will officially be called the Bone Ash Squad. Keep handling the work of gathering and processing supplies."
As he spoke, Gu Su pointed toward Empty Grave No. 1 nearby, signaling for Bone Ash to look.
The Grave Mound, which had once been ordinary, had been moved to a new location. Beside it were three additional grave pits, each with a crudely made gravestone.
After reaching full population, the Grave Mound had been further upgraded into a Great Grave Mound through the use of a tent. Its capacity had increased from 25 undead to 100, and it could now produce four junior leaders and one leader.
However, the three new grave pits were still empty, with no undead occupying them.
The gravestones in front of the pits all bore the same words: "Skeleton Squad (0/25)." They were clearly reserved for future squads.
The moment Gu Su finished speaking, black mist stirred around the gravestone in front of Empty Grave No. 1. The original inscription slowly faded, replaced by a new line of text.
"Bone Ash Squad (25/25)."
The situation was now clear. The Bone Ash Squad's formation had been officially confirmed.
Bone Ash stared at the words on the gravestone, his hands trembling slightly. He understood that Gu Su had acknowledged him.
It wasn't just his status as a junior leader. His squad had been recognized, too.
He quickly lowered his head and replied even more respectfully, "Thank you, my lord! I won't let you down. I'll lead the Bone Ash Squad and carry out every task you assign us!"
"Alright, I'll ask you just one thing. When can you clear out that shop?"
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