Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 104: Departure (Part 1 Finale)

Chapter 104: Departure (Part 1 Finale)

“…Alright, that’s about it for the gear.”

“Wafu!”

In front of me sits a light truck fitted with a canopy.

The bed’s packed to the brim with supplies.

A full day after leaving Occhan’s place, today’s the day we head to Ryuugu City via Akizuki.

Yesterday, I sorted the house and loaded up.

Sakura’s food.

Fishing gear.

Basic bedding.

Small generator.

Every mobile battery I’ve got.

Collected cigarettes.

Assorted weapons.

…And a curated selection of DVDs and a player.

…That’s about it, yeah.

Anything else, we’ll scrounge up there.

…Huh? What’s with the DVDs?

To watch, obviously!

Humans need downtime to survive, probably.

“Didn’t think I’d ever use this for fighting…”

I glance at the sword in my hand.

Not Ume or Take.

This is Matsu-grade.

The priciest thing I own, no question.

The scabbard’s black lacquer outside, iron inside.

Heavy, but insanely durable.

The fittings are the picture of rugged simplicity.

It’s a replica of the blade wielded by a certain lone swordsman from a classic jidaigeki.

The real deal’s a national treasure, out of reach, but I had a modern swordsmith pour everything into making this as close as possible.

Even more effort than the Take-grade.

…Hope that guy’s doing alright. He’s over 600 kilometers away, so I can’t do much.

I move Sakura aside and draw.

The blade’s wider than any of mine, with a shallow curve.

Two shaku, five sun, five bu—about 77 centimeters.

A bit long for iaido, but its slashing power must be unreal.

A true battlefield sword.

Built purely to be tough, to cut.

A beast of a blade embodying that alone.

No wonder there’s a legend—er, true story—of it splitting helmets.

I’d love to reach that level someday.

I sheath it on my belt, take a deep breath, and raise it overhead.

“…Haa!!”

It slices the morning air with a byuo.

Bit heavy, but I’ll master it.

Sheathing it, I call to Sakura.

“…Alright, let’s go.”

“Hyan!”

I double-check the gate’s lock and hop in the truck.

Left an emergency generator and spare electric kettle at home.

Ooki-kun should have no trouble using them.

First, gotta pick up Kanzaki-san.

Off to Yurei High.

“Hey, Tanakano-san. Got a canopy on the truck, huh?”

“Yeah, rainy season’s coming.”

I give Moriyama-kun a quick greeting at the parking lot.

…Good, he hasn’t caught on.

Would be a pain if he did.

As I park, Kanzaki-san steps out of the school building, Miyata-san behind her.

“Morning, Tanakano-san.”

“Morning, Kanzaki-san. All set?”

“Yup, ready to go.”

She catches a leaping Sakura without looking.

Damn, that quick petting… I’d miss it if I weren’t me.

“Hey, Tanakano-san. …(Take care, both of you.)”

Miyata-san adds in a low voice, smiling.

He’s being discreet so the nearby cops don’t overhear.

“…We’re off, Inspector Miyata.”

“See ya, Miyata-san.”

We keep it short and get back in the truck.

Gotta hit Akizuki first, so sooner’s better.

I want to reach the Ryuugu base before dark.

At the gate, I catch Miyata-san giving a small salute.

“Man, I’m surrounded by good people. Lucky me.”

I mutter as Yurei fades from view.

Well, the bad ones are mostly… at peace.

“Good deeds bring good results… It’s because of your actions, Tanakano-san.”

“…You’re a good person too, Kanzaki-san.”

“Hehe, flattered.”

“Unyumofu… fwafu.”

Kanzaki-san blushes, kneading Sakura’s face.

Judging by Sakura’s wild tail-wagging, she’s into it.

Gotta try that myself later.

Alright, Akizuki for final prep.

“…Tanakano-san, that sword…”

A bit into the drive, Kanzaki-san notices my blade.

“Yup, the top-tier one I own. A battlefield sword nicknamed ‘Helmet-Splitter’… well, a replica.”

“I knew it! …Um, can I see it…?”

She asks shyly, fidgeting.

…It’s just a sword, but why’s she acting all cute?

“Go ahead… It’s heavy, so be careful.”

“Yes!”

Kanzaki-san, eyes sparkling, pulls it close.

She’s such a gearhead.

Sakura deftly scoots aside.

Smart girl.

“…Beautiful. It’s got a stoic elegance…”

Kanzaki-san gazes at the blade, entranced.

…Whoops, gotta watch the road, not her.

Don’t crash, don’t crash.

“Oh, and I brought a real ‘Helmet-Splitter’ too. It’s in the truck bed—wanna check it later?”

“Yes! Absolutely!!”

Sakura flinches cutely.

Kanzaki-san’s in top form today.

I grin at her enthusiasm and hit the gas.

No issues en route, and we arrive safely at Akizuki General Hospital.

A guard SDF soldier directs us to the parking lot.

“I’ll grab the supplies to load. Tanakano-san, head to Ojisan—er, First Lieutenant’s office. I’ll take Sakura-chan.”

“Waon!”

Kanzaki-san hops out with Sakura.

Alright, top floor it is.

…Hope I don’t run into Yamada (temp name).

“Oh, Tanakano-san, been waiting for you.”

Hanada-san’s at the entrance, saving me the stairs.

“Hey, Hanada-san.”

“Hello. This way.”

He leads me to a first-floor room, like a reception area.

“Sit wherever.”

I take a sofa.

Hanada-san hands me a B5 sheet.

“Here’s the inventory of food we’re giving you. Please check it.”

Hm… Wow, it’s detailed.

Super helpful.

…But this is a lot. Too much?

“Enough for you and Rin, minimum one month. Plus Sakura-chan’s food.”

“That much…!? Even for Sakura?”

“It’s our request, so it’s only natural.”

Talk about going all out.

“Not much water, but the transport company base has a well, so you’ll be fine.”

Even the location’s perfect.

“And this is the letter from the president to the employees, as mentioned.”

He slides an envelope over.

Signed ‘Takayanagi Hiroshi.’

So that’s the president’s name.

“Man, you’ve covered everything, Hanada-san.”

“No worries, just doing our job.”

I tuck the letter and inventory into my backpack, the letter in an outer pocket for easy access.

“Now, Tanakano-san.”

“Yeah?”

“Need a handgun?”

Hanada-san says it casually, sitting across the table.

“A rifle’s tricky, but a handgun’s always useful.”

“Uh, well…”

Don’t toss it out like “Want an egg in your ramen?”…

I pull Takayama-san’s pistol from the holster under my vest.

Careful not to point the muzzle, even unloaded—don’t want misunderstandings.

“…I’m good. Borrowed this from the police.”

I set it on the table with a thunk.

“Hm… Inspector Miyata’s got style. Mind if I take a look?”

He slides the cylinder out with a click.

Think it’s called a swing-out?

He fiddles with the trigger and peers into the barrel.

“…Well-maintained. Like new.”

Huh, really?

Miyata-san’s doing, probably.

“…Alright, I’ll give you fifty more rounds. You can never have too much ammo.”

Whoa, that’s eighty total.

Planning a war?

“Rin’s got several times that. This type’s not ideal for us.”

“Why not?”

“Simply put, it’s underpowered. And it’s a different standard from our rifles, so it’s not very useful.”

Why they’ve got so much of this “useless” ammo, I won’t ask.

Probably wouldn’t get an answer.

Don’t wanna know anyway.

“Rin can teach you the details, but roughly…”

With a chak, he snaps the cylinder back and continues.

“This pistol’s effective range is about 25 meters, but I’d recommend using it within 10.”

Huh, shorter than I thought.

Makes sense.

Short barrel, and I’m no sniper.

I’d only hit up close anyway.

“It’s ‘weak,’ but plenty for unarmored humans. Aim for the torso and fire multiple shots.”

“Question. What if they’ve got a bulletproof vest?”

“…Use your specialty. Even with stab-proofing, your skills should handle it.”

Oh, right.

That’s quicker.

Unless they’re in full plate armor, I’m fine—it’s not medieval times or isekai.

No need to slash the vest itself.

Limbs might be better targets.

“Now, about Ryuugu City. I’ll share what we know. Rin’s heard this via comms, but I’ll tell you directly.”

Oh?

More details on what he mentioned before?

“Fragmented reports from the missing soldiers’ radios, pieced together here. Accuracy’s iffy, but it’s worth knowing.”

“Got it, please.”

Hanada-san pulls out an ashtray and lights a cigar.

Nice, I’ll join him.

He exhales smoke and starts.

“First, Ryuugu City has way more zombies than Shiiya. Plus, armed, hostile civilians.”

…Heavy start.

“The zombies… seem different from here.”

“How so?”

“They react mostly to sound, same as here, but they’re faster and stronger.”

“…Evolved?”

“Unclear. Could be, or maybe just naturally tougher specimens.”

“What about weaknesses? Like, do headshots still work?”

“Fortunately, their durability’s the same.”

Good, that’s a relief.

Occhan’s kabutowari will come in handy.

“As for survivors… they’re forming groups for looting and violence.”

“Way worse than here… Why?”

“…Non-legal organizations—yakuza, gangs. More of them there, probably.”

Got it.

Ryuugu’s got more than Shiiya.

Should’ve done a sweep like here…

Ooki-kun’s “main game” joke isn’t sounding like a joke.

Wish I had bomb-making skills… Wait, Kanzaki-san’s got that covered.

“…That’s all we know for now. Be cautious and gather intel.”

“Understood. I’m not Master—won’t charge in blindly.”

That old man’d probably win anyway.

Total monster.

“Tamiya-sensei, huh? Probably fine… but who knows what he’s up to.”

“His dojo’s in north Ryuugu, so it’s not a quick trip… Bet he’s fine, though.”

Can’t picture Master getting eaten by zombies.

Him eating them? Easy.

Occhan said he was outmatched, after all.

“Oh, who’s replacing Kanzaki-san at Yurei?”

Thought popped up.

“Oh, you’ve met her—Rikugou, Third Sergeant.”

…Who?

“Chase’s partner.”

Oh! Chase-kun’s handler!

Only heard the dog’s name.

Sounds tough.

“We plan to send more guard dogs later, but she’s the vanguard. Want to link up with the central library too.”

Chase is probably top-tier among guard dogs.

Yurei’s gonna be a doggy paradise.

Wanna visit once Ryuugu calms down.

“Rin’s probably done prepping. Head out early and settle in today.”

Hanada-san stands and offers his hand.

“…No joint locks, right?”

“Haha, not this time. Maybe next round?”

“No way, not against someone who survived Master’s double-wheel!”

I stand, chuckling, and shake his hand.

Still a beastly grip.

“…Take care of Rin, Tanakano-kun.”

His tone’s casual but firm.

Guess this is his real voice.

I’ve earned a bit of his respect.

“…Nanumo-ryu, Tanakano Ichirouta. My word is my bond.”

A man’s promise.

We lock eyes, smile, and shake firmly.

“Welcome back, Tanakano-san.”

“Hyan! Wan!”

“What the hell’s this?”

I’m stunned, hugging a leaping Sakura.

The truck bed’s got more stuff.

Heavy cardboard boxes—probably preserved food, fine.

But the rest…

First, a tripod-mounted machine gun.

A handle on top, with a belt dangling from a box magazine.

…Looks like one I saw in a foreign legion flick.

Then, green boxes packed tight.

‘Handle with Care’ on the lids.

Model numbers and… caliber sizes?

‘20 rounds, box’ and ‘200 rounds, belt’ written too.

Ammo crates, then.

And wooden boxes.

‘Grenade’ on them.

…Like in kaiju films.

The kind you load into a rifle to launch!

“…Starting a war?”

“Better safe than sorry. You heard about Ryuugu, right?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Plus, we might link up with the missing soldiers. Always take extra ammo.”

“True.”

Not like they’re confirmed dead.

Could be a busted radio or hiding out.

They’re elite solo scouts, after all.

“By the way… Kanzaki-san, casual clothes?”

Unlike her usual camo, she’s in a T-shirt and cargo pants.

“Yup, sometimes it’s easier to move incognito. …Does it look weird?”

“Nah, just fresh… Suits you. Right, Sakura?”

“Hyaun!”

I say to a fidgeting Kanzaki-san.

She’s been in camo forever.

Feels like a different person.

“Uh… don’t stare so much…”

“Sorry!”

“N-No, it’s fine…”

What is this, middle school vibes?

Embarrassing.

We check the terrifyingly dangerous cargo and load Kanzaki-san’s stuff.

Time to hit the road.

As we leave, the gate guards salute in unison.

Kanzaki-san returns it; I bow my head.

“Ah…!”

Kanzaki-san leans out the window to salute back.

In the rearview mirror, Hanada-san’s saluting from the entrance.

I flash the hazards, since I’m driving.

…I’ll bring Kanzaki-san back in one piece.

“Alright, safe and speedy driving! Gotta unload at the base too.”

“Yup, let’s use today and tomorrow to set up.”

We chat, heading back toward Shiiya City.

Highways are jammed—or rather, blocked by cars—so we’ll take the old mountain road.

Hope it’s passable. If not, we’ll backtrack and try one of the other two routes.

“Gotta make a proper bed for Sakura too.”

“Wan! Wafu!”

She licks my hand happily as I pet her.

“…Tanakano-san.”

Kanzaki-san’s voice turns formal.

“What’s up?”

“…I-I’ll protect you, too, with my life on the line!”

Her face is beet red as she blurts it out.

…(＾ω＾)

…(；゜Д゜)!?!?!?

Hanada-san, huh!?

Leaking intel’s a serious crime!!

That guy’s sneakier than I thought!

“…Haha.”

I take my left hand off the wheel and offer it.

Wanted to use my right, but, y’know, driving.

“Thanks… Let’s do this, Kanzaki-san.”

“…Yes!”

“Hyan!”

We shake firmly, and Sakura adds her paw with a tap.

We’ve made it this far just fine.

We’ll make it work from here too… No, we will.

Wait for us, Ryuugu City!!

Glancing at Kanzaki-san, happily hugging Sakura, I hit the gas.