Chapter 47: Repair Team
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The Skeletons and Zombies on standby acted swiftly. In just a moment, all thirty-one Orc corpses were deposited in their designated locations per Gu Su’s instructions.
Three of the corpses were sent into the Tombstone, precisely filling the vacancies left by the Elite Skeletons that had previously been killed in battle.
Twenty were steadily deposited into Gravepile Pit #3, making up for the previous losses and replenishing the pit’s numbers.
The remaining eight were placed in Pit #4, ensuring none of the materials went to waste.
The moment the last corpse was pushed into the pit and covered with a thin layer of earth, a DING rang out in Gu Su’s ear. A cold system notification followed immediately after, clearly broadcasting the results of the Soul Summoning Technique:
[The Tombstone has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 1), granting Skeleton (Level 0) x3. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +3.]
[The Gravepile has automatically activated your Soul Summoning Technique (Level 1), granting Skeleton (Level 0) x28. Soul Summoning Technique proficiency +28.]
The notifications had barely faded when a faint tremor ran through the ground. The earth over the Tombstone and Gravepile Pits #3 and #4 loosened and bulged, and then pale, bluish Bone Claws began to break through the soil.
Immediately after, complete Skeletons slowly climbed out. Though their movements were still stiff, they maintained perfect order, without a hint of chaos.
The first to emerge were the three Elite Skeletons from the Tombstone.
Their skeletal frames shimmered with a faint, pearly-white luster. Their bones were thicker and sturdier than those of Ordinary Skeletons, clearly having inherited the base traits of the previous elite Undead.
Following them, the Ordinary Skeletons from Pit #3 crawled out in a continuous stream. They formed dense ranks at the edge of the pit, standing with heads bowed as they silently awaited Gu Su’s orders.
Just as the twenty-fifth Ordinary Skeleton from Pit #3 finished climbing out of the ground, a strange transformation suddenly took place!
The Skeleton’s back suddenly gave off a faint gray glimmer. A small, black, triangular Battle Banner materialized from thin air, fixing itself firmly between its shoulder blades.
On the surface of the Battle Banner was a sigil: a skull formed by intertwined gears and vines. Below the sigil, the numbers "25/25" were clearly discernible, bluntly declaring its exclusive status as a Minion.
Watching this unfold, Gu Su was momentarily stunned. The expression on his face froze, then slowly darkened, his look growing increasingly grim.
He could tell at a glance that this newly created Minion still lacked a combat Talent.
The appearance of yet another non-combat Minion was an inevitable disappointment for him, as he desperately needed to bolster his combat power at that moment.
Still, Gu Su decided to inspect the Minion’s stats.
[Tooth Bone (Level 0, Summoned Creature, Minion): Experience (0/100), Attack 1, Defense 1, Life 10, Talent: Repair]
"So, you’re Tooth Bone." Gu Su suppressed his faint annoyance. His tone was flat and emotionless as his gaze fell upon Tooth Bone, and he got straight to the point. "Tell me, what exactly can you do?"
Tooth Bone bowed slightly. In a tone that was respectful but not servile, he began to speak, clearly and methodically explaining his abilities.
"My Lord, I am skilled at repairing various types of machines and machinery. I can also use vines and Wood to repair structures.
Of the scrap and junk brought back by the Scavenger Squad, I can repair about thirty percent of it, making it usable again.
Furthermore, the Skeletons under my command and I can handle the repair of the city’s mechanical components, as well as assist in the installation of various machinery and Artillery."
Pausing here, Tooth Bone added, "When my men and I install machinery and Artillery, we can reduce Resource consumption by about 20%, which will save you a great deal of your supply reserves, My Lord.
However, my abilities are limited. My subordinates and I are only proficient in repair and installation. The research and manufacturing of machinery are not our specialty, so we cannot be of assistance to you in that regard, My Lord."
Tooth Bone spoke nonchalantly, as if his abilities were nothing special, but Gu Su’s eyes lit up more and more with each word. His earlier disdain and disappointment had completely vanished, replaced by unconcealable surprise and eagerness.
He was secretly overjoyed.
’How is this "nothing special"? This is a priceless treasure, a true godsend!’
Setting other considerations aside, the Earth-Binding Vein quest he had received earlier was a prime example. If he truly needed to install a mobile power system for it later, or any of its supporting mechanical parts, he would be completely reliant on Undead skilled in repair and installation.
’After all, in this apocalypse, everything scavenged is just broken junk. Not a single piece is undamaged. To actually put any of it to use, everything depends on having repair skills.’
The appearance of Tooth Bone had undoubtedly solved one of his most pressing problems. For his current stage of development, this was even more important and valuable than a new combat Minion would have been.
"Good. Very good!"
A smile finally broke out across Gu Su’s face, and his tone softened considerably, losing its earlier flatness and impatience.
"Take your subordinates at once and conduct a full inspection and repair of the territory’s walls and gates. Make sure to check every single damaged area and repair it completely and promptly. Leave no potential weaknesses behind."
He paused briefly, then added, "From now on, you’ll have first pick of all the materials the Ash Squad scavenges. See if there’s anything you can repair and make usable again."
"As you command!" Tooth Bone accepted the order respectfully. He turned before his voice had even faded, quickly gathered his Skeletons, and marched swiftly toward the territory walls. In the blink of an eye, he was out of sight, ready to begin his repair work.
With the Toothbone Squad taken care of, Gu Su slowly turned his head, his gaze falling upon the Undead waiting before him for their orders.
Five Elite Skeletons stood tall, their bones a pearly white. Eight Ordinary Skeletons were arrayed in neat ranks, their heads bowed as they awaited orders. Besides them, six Walking Dead stood silently to the side, exuding a faint stench of decay, yet they remained docile and obedient, not making a single unauthorized move.
Gu Su mulled it over for a moment. ’So I don’t have a full combat squad. That’s fine.’
’I’ll train them into Undead Warriors first.’
At this thought, a decisive glint flashed in Gu Su’s eyes. Without any further hesitation, he gave the order.
"All of you, come here! Enter the Combat Outpost and be upgraded to Undead Warriors, now!"
Hearing Gu Su’s command, the Undead swiftly filed into the Combat Outpost.
Strangely, though the Combat Outpost appeared to be less than four square meters from the outside, it didn’t seem the least bit crowded even after so many Undead had gone inside.
A constant DING DING DING rang in Gu Su’s ears as large amounts of Yin Qi were rapidly deducted, and his stockpiles of Gold Coins, Metal, and Wood vanished just as quickly.
Gu Su wasn’t going to short-change his first batch of Undead Warriors. In addition to the required materials, he also threw in some Beast Skins.