Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 39: Scouting Shiiya Civic Center (※ Contains More Brutal Descriptions Than Usual)

Chapter 39: Scouting Shiiya Civic Center (※ Contains More Brutal Descriptions Than Usual)

The day after a cozy break.

The torrential rain from yesterday cleared up like a lie, so I headed out to scout the last nearby shelter.

Shiiya Civic Center.

It used to host small concerts and events.

Its sturdy build made it a shelter, but it went silent right after taking in evacuees—or maybe even before.

So, the number of evacuees, police presence—everything’s unclear.

Miyata-san thinks it collapsed early in the pandemic.

The civic center’s near the city center, surrounded by buildings.

Since the pandemic hit on a weekday, expect a ton of zombies.

Driving up casually would turn it into a samba carnival, and I’d be done for.

So, I parked the truck in a paid lot about 500 meters away.

This place used to charge 200 yen per hour with no cap—insanely expensive, so I never used it.

Now, it doesn’t matter.

Thanks, pandemic… okay, that’s too grim.

We entered the business district, checking our surroundings.

Quiet.

Too quiet?

This was one of the city’s biggest office areas.

What happened to the workers?

“…Isn’t it weird there’s no sign of people?”

“Yes. Either they evacuated together, or…”

Turned zombie or died.

We moved through the empty business district.

While eyeing the buildings, Kanzaki-san noticed something.

“Zombies…”

“Where… oh, wow.”

Zombies were visible through building windows.

As usual, they stood blankly in the shadows.

So, many turned zombie at work.

Their intelligence drops below animals, so they can’t open electronic locks or keys, trapping them inside.

Zombies being dumb really saves us…

But man, not even leaving the office after death? That’s sad.

Thank goodness I’m jobless!!

…Not sour grapes, I swear.

Still, they’re strong and fast in a straight line.

If spotted, their numbers overwhelm, and they probably don’t tire, so we’d burn out first.

If I had a massive minigun like that action movie cyborg, I’d take them all on, but my gear’s too light for that.

Better not get seen.

We kept our distance from the building windows and moved forward, spotting the civic center ahead.

We could go straight in, but after that fake shelter incident, I’m cautious.

Across from the center’s entrance is a four-story parking garage.

People parked bikes or cars there for concerts.

Nostalgic… I came here for a concert with my first high school girlfriend.

Good memory.

…Wait, no, she dumped me on the way back.

Bad memory.

“Why’d she dump you?”

Eek!?

She read my mind!?

“No, you said it out loud.”

Oh, right.

“It’s a boring story…”

I explained while climbing the garage stairs.

Nothing special.

On the way back from the concert, some delinquents hassled us.

She was pretty, and one was her childhood friend, apparently.

He was into her or something and wouldn’t back off.

Now, I’d brush it off, but back then, I was hotheaded.

He shoved me, and when she worried, he pushed her down.

I snapped and beat him to a pulp.

Wanted to look cool in front of her.

“People who use violence are disgusting.”

She slapped me and left.

I could’ve chased her, but instead…

“Hey, what was that slap then!?”

Her face went red, and she vanished into the crowd.

Later, she dumped me over the phone.

“Sounds like… one word too many. I get it, though.”

“Yeah… young and dumb.”

“What happened with her after?”

“She ignored me at school… that was it.”

Some baseless rumor about me being abusive spread, and guys who believed it came after me.

No matter how much I denied it, they didn’t listen, so I sent about five to the hospital.

She was popular… bitter memory now.

Is she doing okay?

…Don’t really care.

I’m sure she started that rumor.

If I see her alive, I’ll snap a palm strike to her jaw.

“…You’re thinking something bad, aren’t you?”

“What’re we talking about?”

We reached the top floor.

I quickly dealt with two zombies there and scouted the civic center.

The front gate was closed, with several figures inside.

Hey, there are cops!

I counted six at a glance.

Two more in what looked like an office.

This shelter seems okay.

No contact might be due to a broken radio.

No zombies around—should we make direct contact?

“…”

Kanzaki-san’s got a serious look.

Something bugging her?

“Who’s there!”

I turned to see two cops at the stair entrance.

One in his late 30s, the other early 20s, both male, shining a light at us.

“Hey, sorry, officers. We’re…”

“SDF. Dispatched from Shiiya Base to scout the city.”

Huh? What’s with the sudden intro?

Fine, I’ll let Kanzaki-san handle it.

She’s got a plan.

“SDF? Thank god!”

“We’re low on supplies!”

Kanzaki-san walked toward them.

Wait, she’s hiding something behind her back… my rod shuriken.

She’s signaling me with it.

…No way.

“I’m Sergeant K anzaki. Your names and ranks, please.”

I stood, tracking the shuriken with my eyes.

“…That guy’s not SDF, is he?”

“He’s a civilian conscripted under Article 2, Section 7 of the Disaster Defense Act. You know it, right?”

“Sure, but we’re short-handed… I’m Senior Officer Gotou, this is Officer Kimura.”

“I see…”

The shuriken pointed at me, then swiped sideways.

Aye, aye, sir!

“Right!”

I yelled softly, throwing a cross shuriken at the right cop—Gotou, I think—then charged.

It hit his lower abdomen, his face frozen in shock.

I closed in, slamming my bokken into his temple.

He collapsed.

I glanced at Kanzaki-san, who landed a precise upward kick to Kimura’s jaw.

He dropped like a puppet with cut strings.

Man, she’s so smooth compared to me.

“…This was the right call, yeah?”

“Yes. Honestly, I’m surprised you trusted me…”

“It’s you, Kanzaki-san.”

She’s SDF, a thousand times more reliable than me.

So, what’s with these guys?

Corrupt cops?

I just followed her lead.

Kanzaki-san bound the unconscious men with zip ties and gagged them with towels.

Wow, she’s so practiced…

“They’re not cops.”

“Oh, that’s the deal.”

Not corrupt cops, then.

“How’d you know?”

“Two reasons. First, that law I mentioned doesn’t exist.”

Really? I totally bought it.

“Even if they didn’t know, the next part’s a dead giveaway. Gotou’s badge is for a Chief Inspector, but Kimura’s is for a Senior Officer. No real cop would mix those up.”

Makes sense.

They wouldn’t mess up unless they’re wearing someone else’s uniforms.

Got it.

We took their pistols and ammo.

Gotta question them.

We kept young Kimura and locked Gotou in a nearby van.

Now, the real work begins.

Kimura woke up soon, thrashing in his restraints.

“Shut up. Or I’ll cut your balls off.”

I lightly pricked his thigh with my sword.

Works like a charm on guys—he went still.

Don’t give me that look, Kanzaki-san. I’m not cutting, and I don’t want to.

“I’ll take the gag off and ask questions. Got it? Scream, and…”

I pressed the blade to his throat, ready to slice if he yelled.

Kanzaki-san took over.

“Answer only our questions if you want to live.”

“…”

“Answer.”

“Y-Yes…”

Scary! Kanzaki-san’s low voice is terrifying!!

Such intensity…

“You’re not real cops, are you?”

“Yes…”

“Why are you pretending?”

“Th-The boss…”

Kimura, stuttering in fear, spilled it.

They’re employees of a local construction company.

They sheltered at the civic center but got fed up with how things were run.

Their boss rallied them, killed the cops, and stole their uniforms.

With few cops and zombie chaos, they took over easily.

Since then, they’ve posed as cops, luring evacuees to rob and assault them.

These… scum!

I was fuming, but Kanzaki-san kept questioning, stopping me.

“How many accomplices? We’ll ask Gotou too, so don’t lie.”

“F-Fifteen… it’s true… p-please, help…”

“Who said you could say anything else?”

“S-Sorry…!”

…That cooled me down fast.

Kanzaki-san’s pissed but holding it in.

As the older one, I can’t lose it first.

We knocked Kimura out again and swapped for Gotou.

Same story.

Worse, actually.

The civic center has no survivors except these fake cops.

They killed everyone or let them die from abuse.

…They’re worse than zombies.

My blood’s boiling.

I tasted blood from biting my lip.

They’re planning an “expedition” soon to find new victims, having “used up” the local evacuees.

“N-Now I’ve told you everything, really…”

“…”

“I won’t go back there… I’ll leave, I swear, let me go…”

“…”

“I answered honestly… p-please, save me…”

“…You…”

Kanzaki-san leaned forward, her bayonet aimed at Gotou—

“Gah!? G… h…”

“Good job spilling it all. I’ll make it quick. Rest easy in hell.”

“Tanakano-san…!?”

It wasn’t her bayonet—it was my sword through Gotou’s throat.

I twisted as I pulled it out, feeling a sickening crunch, warm blood splashing my face.

Good thing I lowered my visor.

Gotou went limp, gurgling, then silent forever.

Hmph, so that’s killing a human.

“Oh, he’s dead. Weird, must’ve been zombies while I wasn’t looking.”

“Why… I-I was going to…!”

“You’d overdo it and miss, Kanzaki-san. A scream would be trouble.”

“You didn’t need to get your hands dirty…”

I put a hand on her trembling shoulder, patting gently.

Her eyes were wet, face pale. I met her gaze, stroking her head like I do with Miku-chan.

“Calm down, Kanzaki-san. I’ve killed tons of zombies. What’s one more piece of trash?”

“But zombies and these guys…”

“They’re worse than zombies. I’m pissed at them too.”

“Tanakano-san…”

These guys are absolute garbage.

Smarter than zombies, which makes them worse.

If we let them live, they’ll harm the shelter eventually.

Like that fake shelter.

If they can be killed, better do it.

Like I said, I’ve sent plenty of zombies to nirvana.

No need to hesitate with vermin like these.

The survivors I’ve fought are probably dead anyway.

Directly by my hand or indirectly by zombies—it’s just a matter of who lands the blow.

I didn’t have time to finish them off with zombies around.

Kanzaki-san calmed down after a bit.

…The head-patting was too much.

Please don’t sue!!

“Um… Tanakano-san, sorry for looking pathetic…”

“Nah, that’s normal. Guys like me are the weird ones.”

She gave a wry smile, then walked to the van with Kimura.

Her face looked resolved.

I called out.

“…Want me to do it?”

“No, I’m fine.”

She climbed into the van and returned quickly.

Her bayonet was stained red-black.

“Zombies got him while I wasn’t looking. What a shame.”

“It’s rough out here. Scary.”

We locked eyes and laughed.

In peacetime, this’d be crazy, but it’s an emergency.

This is how you survive.

“Now, time for the big job.”

“Yeah, and…”

“…Thirteen left.”

Not one of them’s walking away alive.