Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 18: My First Time Cutting a Person

Chapter 18: My First Time Cutting a Person

“God said, ‘Not yet.’”

“Pfft… Felt like He told me to keep flying solo forever.”

Ugh, this guy’s too cool!

After those idiots drained me, I got home and dove into an anime movie.

You know, that one where a pig-turned-airship-pilot goes wild in the Mediterranean.

So badass… the coolest pig dude ever!

Not that I know other pig hunks.

Seen it dozens of times, but it never gets old.

Wanna be that kind of cool guy.

Losing it at that punk kid shows I’ve got a ways to go.

…No, anyone would snap.

Even a Buddha might dislocate a shoulder.

A prophet? Slapped on the left cheek, he’d punch the right.

The next day.

After a marathon of classic anime movies, I slept great.

Good stuff gives you courage and hope!

After yesterday’s mess, I’m at the North District’s Kyonan home center.

Here for gasoline.

The truck’s full from last time, and it’s fuel-efficient, so I’m not stranded yet.

But I’m prepping for long trips, so I’m stocking up in cans.

Why? Tomorrow, I’m heading to the next town.

To find Sakashita-san’s mom, obviously.

I owe Yukiko-chan big time.

Her dad’s the issue.

Even if that ossan tanked his family hierarchy with whatever he did!

Complete this mission, reunite mother and daughter, and I’ll be free of guilt.

Truly free to roam, fish, snag DVDs, or bulk-buy model kits… borrow? Whatever!

So, I gotta find Sakashita-san’s mom.

It’s about 40 minutes by car to the next town, 50 to her hospital job.

Normally no big deal, but now? Who knows what’s out there.

Need extra fuel for the truck and home stock.

Reached the gas station on the premises.

It’s got a generator and an emergency hand-crank pump.

Checked for safety and started pumping.

Using safety cans from the home center.

Holds 20 liters, sturdy, won’t break if tipped.

But empty, they’re stupid heavy.

Tough to haul.

…Last time, the generator was running, but the fuel’s out.

So, hand-crank pump it is.

Yellow cart with a handle and two hoses.

Stick the intake hose in the underground tank, the output in the can.

Then crank like crazy.

Learned this from a high school buddy who worked at a gas station.

Said it’s handy for earthquakes when power’s out.

Thanks, Paulo-kun.

…Wait, that was his nickname. His real name was…

Thanks, Paulo-kun!!

Cranked like mad.

Heavy! Too heavy!!

Pumps out so little!

Really appreciating electricity now, I kept at it mindlessly.

Sweating buckets, I filled the truck and six cans.

Lugged the heavier cans onto the truck, cleaned up, and done.

Phew, that was brutal…

Wanna smoke, but not here—fire’s a bad idea.

I’ll smoke on the way back.

As I went to get in, I spotted figures.

Zombies! …No, humans.

Hiding behind abandoned cars in the lot.

Four guys, surrounding my truck.

Lightly dressed, all holding metal pipes.

Not a friendly vibe.

Wait, one looks familiar…

Huh!?

It’s him! The blond from the trio here before!

Take or Riki—the less intense one!

They waited for me to finish…

Probably didn’t know how to use the emergency pump.

After my gas? Or…

“Hey, it’s that punk from before. What’s up?”

I called out to the glaring blond.

No need to play nice without Ishikawa-san.

“Whaddya say, asshole!? Hand over the gas and truck. We’re four—you don’t wanna get hurt, right!?”

His face went red.

Yup, he looks like a monkey now.

Gas and the truck?

Even if I gave it up, they’d hurt me.

Their eyes scream it.

“What? Save your sleep-talking for bed, trash. Or are you always dreaming, so you’re that stupid?”

I jabbed, watching them.

They’re totally underestimating me without my bokken.

The truck’s shadow hides the sword in the driver’s seat.

“…! You mocking me!? I’ll kill you!!”

Yup, murder intent received.

That’s my line.

The pissed-off blond speed-walked around the truck.

His buddies just grinned from behind, not joining.

Perfect.

I crouched, grabbed the sword, and sheathed it on my hip.

Dashed out from the shadow toward him.

“Huh!?”

He noticed the sword, eyes wide, letting out a dumb sound—too late.

Stepping forward with my right foot, I twisted my hips, drawing in a slight upward slash.

The blade, carried by my momentum, sliced into his right wrist as he half-raised his pipe.

It cut through a quarter of the flesh with a slick feeling, passing through easily.

Flipping the blade with my wrist, I stepped in and slashed his left thigh, peeking from his half-pants.

“Wha—arghhh!?”

He collapsed, clutching his wrist and thigh, writhing.

Blood seeped through his fingers.

Missed the artery, but he’s neutralized.

Humans are way easier than zombies.

First time cutting a person, but my body moved like in practice.

Guess bashing zombies all the time helps.

My head’s buzzing hot, but I’m still calm.

Didn’t hit bone, so the blade’s fine.

“Riki!!”

“What…!?”

“Wah…!”

His buddies shouted.

So, he’s Riki.

“You bastard!!”

One charged, screaming, face pale—panicking.

I dodged his wild overhead pipe swing by stepping back.

The pipe hit the ground with a clang.

His shocked face stretched out, and I slashed horizontally across both elbows.

“Gaaahhh!!”

He dropped the pipe, collapsing, and I smashed his chin upward with the hilt.

His brain rattled, eyes rolled back, and he hit the ground.

Two down.

The last two were yelling but not approaching.

What heartless jerks! No care for their friends?

Kidding.

I shook off the blood, wiping the blade with a towel.

Should’ve brought rice paper…

No nicks or bends.

Wiped it clean and sheathed it.

Gotta avoid rust.

I’ll clean it properly at home…

“Hey, you two.”

Called out to the still-yelling pair.

“Take them and go. Stop the bleeding, and they won’t die.”

Do they even know how?

It’ll hurt like hell, and Riki might die if they screw up.

Not my problem.

I’m no saint to worry about guys trying to kill me.

“Or you wanna keep going?”

They flinched like lightning hit them and rushed over.

Dropping their pipes, they looked done.

Just in case, I stepped back, watching.

They dragged Riki and the other to a garish painted car nearby.

The unconscious one was quiet, but Riki was a screaming mess—ow, ow, gonna die.

Should’ve knocked him out too.

They tossed them in the back like fish at a market, started the engine, and sped off.

They had a car!?

I watched till they were gone, then took off my sword and got in the truck.

Went to light a cigarette, but my right hand was shaking.

Guess the tension’s hitting now that I’m safe.

Gave a wry smile, lit up, and started the engine while smoking.

Better avoid this place for a while—South District home center it is.

Even if they’re idiots, I took out their buddy.

No telling what Ishikawa-san or Take will do.

Time to switch gears.

I’ll rest hard at home to shake this off.