Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 32: The Plan to Scout Nearby Shelters

Chapter 32: The Plan to Scout Nearby Shelters

“Status check?”

I parroted back, and Miyata-san explained.

There are three other major shelters nearby besides this one:

• • North Elementary (where I tricked that idiot into going)

• • Shiiya High (Yukiko-chan’s school)

• • Shiiya Civic Center (the city’s biggest event hall)

These were police-run for refugees, but contact’s been lost with all three.

The job: scout them, check for survivors, and assess their condition.

I’m the guy for it—solo, decent fighter.

Scouting alone? I can handle that.

It clears my debt, so I’m cool with it, but why not send cops?

I wondered, and Miyata-san answered.

“Suspicious survivors…?”

“Yes, as I’ve said, this shelter’s full. It’s tough, but we can’t take more.”

“Got it.”

“Lately, we’ve seen survivors watching us. Some try to force their way in.”

So, the thug types I’ve run into are eyeing this place, making things tense.

Cops are fully tied up with security and patrols, so no hands for scouting.

They were gonna force a team out, but I nagged, “Gimme a job!!!” so I got picked.

“Asking a civilian for such dangerous work pains me… You can refuse, no problem…”

Miyata-san looked like he’d bitten fifty sour bugs.

Such a serious, good guy.

No need to worry.

If I refused, he’d probably scrape together a team.

“Don’t sweat it. I brought it up.”

I said it before—this was my idea.

Plus, they nursed me back to health.

If a cop dies, it risks everyone’s safety, but a random jobless guy like me? No loss to the shelter.

Not planning to die, though.

I’m clearing my debt to enjoy my survival life! Wanna go fishing too!!

The lighter my burdens, the nimbler my steps, right?

“Right, I’m coming along.”

“What?”

“What?”

Miyata-san and I blurted dumb noises at the same time.

Wait, news to me and Miyata-san!?

What’s Kanzaki-san on about!?

“Uh… Kanzaki-san, what about your SDF duties…?”

“The radio’s set up for anyone to use. I’ve got no fixed tasks right now.”

“No, I mean… what’ll Hanada-san say…?”

“The Lieutenant gave me permission to act at my discretion after the radio setup.”

Whaaaaat!?

The SDF lets you freestyle like that!?

No way that’s okay!

What about chain of command? Is Kanzaki-san some big shot…?

She dodges questions about her unit every time.

“S-Sir! I want in too!!”

Oi, Moriyama, stop!!

Don’t complicate this!!

A cop joining defeats the point!!

“You’d be in the way. A hundred of you would just drag us down.”

“Eek!”

That look again!!

Moriyama-kun’s soul just left his body! Probably!!

Merciless!!

This is spiraling out of control!?

In the end, Miyata-san checked with Hanada-san via radio, and it was true.

No way…

“Been a while, Tanakano-san. Heard you were badly hurt—are you okay?”

“Yessir, thanks to Sergeant Kanzaki, I’m fit as a fiddle!”

Hanada-san wanted to talk, so I took the radio.

“As you’ve heard, Kanzaki will fully support you this time.”

“Uh, I’m fine solo, no problem…”

I felt Kanzaki-san’s stare from behind!!

Super scary!!

If looks could kill, my upper half would be gone!!

“We really want detailed intel on the city. Don’t worry, she won’t be a burden.”

Uh, I’m more worried I’ll be the burden…

“So… what unit is Kanzaki-san in…?”

“Haha… Good luck, Tanakano-san. Hanada, out.” Click

He hung up!!

…Yeah, some things I don’t need to know.

I’m done thinking.

Done, I say!!

“Here’s to working together… Kanzaki-san.”

“Yes, I’ll give it my all.”

Kanzaki-san did a tiny fist pump.

Man, beauties look good doing anything.

So, still uneasy, I teamed up with Kanzaki-san.

She’s SDF—no way she’s dead weight.

But solo’s so much easier!!

Being with a beauty is super awkward!!

Met with a wry-smiling Miyata-san, and we set to start scouting tomorrow.

Moriyama-kun stayed slumped on a sofa, drained.

Oi, Moriyama, that’s your problem!!

Stop moping and do push-ups!!

You’ll never win her over!!

Promised to pick up Kanzaki-san at the shelter early morning, then headed home.

Sleeping at home after so long!

Shelter beds are comfy, but nothing beats home!

Checked the garden veggies.

Growing nicely.

Gotta prep a stake for the mini tomatoes soon.

If this works, I’ll mass-produce potatoes.

Onions store well too—better prep for winter.

A freezer would help long-term storage…

Any battery packs out there?

Got a generator already.

Maybe study solar power?

Don’t wanna hit the central library…

There are other libraries—start there.

Had a sudden idea and walked to the nearby community center.

Community center… ugh, headache.

It’s a designated shelter, so probably has rations.

This area’s weirdly zombie-free, so I’ll help myself.

Can’t have too much stock.

Entered through the back.

The lock’s always been loose—yank hard, and it opens.

Same as my kid days playing here. Nice.

As expected, it’s untouched.

Disaster supplies… kitchen has a basement door.

There it is.

Hidden by a table, hard to spot.

Lit the way with my light and went down.

Bingo.

Dry crackers, alpha rice, canned food, cardboard beds.

Took what fit in my backpack, left the rest.

It’s cool here—perfect as an emergency shelter or storage.

Grabbed a spare key from the office.

The other’s with the neighborhood chief grandpa.

Wonder if he’s alive, him and the old folks.

No clue where their senior trip went, but it’s probably like here.

Back home for dinner.

Menu: alpha rice pilaf, instant miso soup, near-expired ham.

Made the pilaf with hot water—so warm.

Other types are fine cold, but pilaf’s gross unless hot.

So good.

Eating in this mess is pure happiness.

Food, home, cigarettes.

Heaven’s closer than you think!

Belly full, I’ll watch a movie and sleep early for tomorrow.

Which one?

A new one that sucks could tank my mood, so something familiar.

Let’s go with the tall, invincible action star with the best ponytail.

A dad avenging his son, mowing down gangs and mafias.

Man, this guy’s action is cool at any age!

He’s slowed down lately, but still barely gets a scratch in the movie!

Love the gritty dub voice.

Unless it’s awful, I’m a dub guy for action films.

That famous Chinese action star? Original audio feels off.

So fun!

Too strong to mimic, but action movies need a cool, dominant hero.

Super satisfied, time to sleep for tomorrow.

Mmm, zzz…