Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 11: Gathering Knowledge

Chapter 11: Gathering Knowledge

Today, I hit up a bookstore.

It’s a decent-sized place, about a thirty-minute drive from home, combined with a video rental shop.

The goal’s to find books on vegetable gardening and food preservation.

If I’ve got time, I’ll grab some manga volumes I’ve been eyeing.

…That mess at the home center the other day made me oversleep.

No big deal, though—just scouting this place today.

※

Parked the truck at the edge of the lot, scoping things out.

A few other cars, but no one inside them.

The bookstore’s got glass walls, so I can see inside clearly.

Hmm… no one in sight.

Bright store, so maybe no zombies?

Got out, mounted my bokken on my… right hip this time.

Oh, yeah, starting today, I’m carrying my Japanese sword on my left hip.

The home center incident changed my mind.

Those idiots taught me I need visible intimidation.

Words don’t work on morons, so looks have to.

The bokken lacked punch, so I had to threaten those blond ape-brains that hard.

If they’d come at me, I was ready to break five or six bones.

But a Japanese sword?

One look, and anyone sane would know I’m bad news.

No one normal would come near.

Saves effort and avoids pointless fights.

…Hopefully.

It’s the cheapest of the three swords I own.

Still pricey, but no choice.

It’s a short two-shaku blade, good for practicing iaido moves.

This sword’s for intimidating humans, probably.

Cleaning and maintenance are a hassle, so I don’t wanna use it on zombies.

Or humans, if I can help it. Idiots, behave yourselves.

Carrying both the bokken and sword made my pants sag, so I’m using Dad’s suspenders with the belt.

…Maybe I’ll make a gunbelt-style thing with a spare belt.

Carrying them on my back’s no good—can’t draw fast.

Sadly, I didn’t study ninja.

※

Anyway, slipped into the bookstore without a hitch.

Where’s the gardening and food section?

Only ever came here for manga.

Read and Learn! Secrets of Bone Manipulation!!

…Not on the list, but super intriguing, so I’m taking it.

Never tried bone manipulation.

Oh, found it.

Easy Home Gardening Guide

Flipped through it—clear, with photos.

Has stuff on the veggies I planted. This’ll do.

Next, food preservation.

Learning from Kivyak: Arctic Traditions

…Wrong one.

Interesting, but not worth taking.

Delicious Ways to Eat Surströmming

…No way I’m eating that.

World’s smelliest canned fish, right?

Hongeohoe’s Diversity

…This section’s got some weird tastes!

Mostly pickling books otherwise.

Let’s find the disaster section.

Get Ready! Tasty Preserved Foods!

Let’s see.

It’s got recipes for preserved foods, how to smoke or salt stuff, and lists of long-lasting foods.

Huh, honey keeps that long?

This one’s a keeper.

Had some time, so I grabbed a few manga volumes I wanted.

…Will I ever get to read new releases?

That’s depressing.

※

Got what I came for, so time to split.

Sky’s getting cloudy.

It’s almost rainy season, so clear scouting days might be rare soon.

※

“Help! Someone, help!!”

Just as I was about to start the engine, a loud scream came from the supermarket next door.

…What now?

Honestly, I’ve got no obligation to help.

Risking my life for a stranger’s too dangerous.

“Anyone! Is anyone there!?”

…But I heard the voice.

I decided to go it alone to avoid carrying others’ burdens.

But if I ignore this, I’ll probably keep thinking:

“Could I have saved them…?”

“Should I have helped…?”

Regret like that, over and over, feels bad.

Not good for a healthy, cultured life.

Alright, I’ll help.

For my tiny self-satisfaction!!

…They won’t know unless I tell them!!

After saving them, I’ll drop them at a shelter. Yeah!

Started the engine and charged toward the supermarket.

It’s right next door, so I’m there in a flash.

In the middle of the supermarket lot, a crowd of zombies.

A lot—maybe ten.

…Too late?

No, at the center of the swarm, on a truck’s bed, a figure.

One person.

Wearing what looks like a school uniform.

A female student.

“Hey! They can’t climb! Stay put, I’ll handle this!!” I yelled, speeding past the zombies.

Screeched the truck to a sliding stop, grabbed my bokken, and jumped out.

Yelled loud to draw their attention.

“Come on, you monsters!!”