Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 71: The Matter of People I Don’t Even Feel Like Helping

Chapter 71: The Matter of People I Don’t Even Feel Like Helping

“Lately, every time I go out, I keep getting dragged into some kinda mess. Did I do something awful in a past life or what?”

“There’s luck involved, but in your case, Tanakano-san, the odds do seem unusually high… Why is that?”

I grumble to Kanzaki-san as we walk through the city.

Seriously, why me?

Today’s another day of exploration.

I’ve got the missing persons binder tucked under my arm.

This time, we’re hitting the south side of South District.

Of course, by “hitting,” I mean my usual scavenging, not actually searching for missing people.

Oh, by the way, if I happen to run into a missing person, I’m allowed to bring them back.

Miyata-san said it’s fine as long as it’s within the shelter’s capacity.

Once it’s full, searches are on hold, but I doubt we’ll find missing people popping up left and right.

※

“So, what’s the plan today?”

“Hmm, I think there was a used game store around here…”

Today’s destination is a secondhand game shop I used to hit up as a student.

Haven’t been in about ten years, so my memory’s fuzzy…

Pretty sure it was in the shopping arcade…?

Movies are great, but games are too.

Lately, I’ve been hooked on a handheld console two generations old.

Especially this port of a certain massively popular RPG.

You can’t go wrong with the classic hero-thief-mage-cleric party, right?

The battery life’s solid, and I can play it sprawled out anywhere, which is a big plus.

Collectors have driven up the prices of these games, but in this situation, it’s all free.

Guhehe, now’s the time to snag those titles I’ve been eyeing, ninja-style!

“Tanakano-san, your face is scary.”

Whoops, my bad.

Still, it’s pretty cool of Kanzaki-san to tag along for my downtime.

…Maybe I’ll invite her fishing sometime?

With how crazy the fish bite, she’d have a blast.

Man, if things were safer, I’d drag everyone along.

Miku-chan would love it.

…Even if her family’s all together, being cooped up all the time’s rough for a kid.

Grown-ups can deal, but she’s in elementary school.

“…You were thinking about Miku-chan, weren’t you?”

“…Does the SDF train you in mind-reading too?”

“Hehe… That’s a secret.”

She’s such a mystery…

※

“Oh, right. About Ooki-kun’s thing—any bad rumors floating around the shelter?”

I ask as we walk, suddenly curious.

No regrets, but I wanna know.

If my rep takes a hit, maybe I’ll get fewer requests—wouldn’t mind that…

“The sister was talking a lot, but… no bad talk about you, Tanakano-san. If anything, you might get more requests.”

Huh? First part’s as expected, but what’s with the second!?

“Most people are saying, ‘She found who she was looking for, so she shouldn’t complain about the guy who did it.’”

Oh… So my track record’s getting props?

I mean, I nailed the search job perfectly.

But it’s not like I did much—Ooki-kun just happened to be alive.

“…This just adds another success story. They’ll probably expect even more from you.”

“Ugh… That’s the last thing I want.”

“Come on, it’s not bad. You get to roam the city like this.”

“…With a reliable partner, too.”

“Wha—cough—that’s right, isn’t it?”

We banter as we stroll through the city.

This area’s got hardly any zombies.

No, scratch that—none at all.

It’s almost like…

“…Someone’s been clearing them out.”

“This is too unnatural… Let’s stay on high alert.”

Damn it, and we’re so close to the shop.

Here’s hoping any survivors are friendly.

We walk under the shopping arcade’s roof.

It’s coming back to me.

The shop’s just up ahead!

…Or not.

“It’s blocked off.”

The game store’s sign is visible, but the path’s sealed with construction-style fences.

The fences are chained tight, splattered with chunks of flesh.

Dead zombies—deactivated?—are scattered carelessly around.

…Looks like there was a hell of a fight.

Checking the zombies, I see wounds from at least three different weapons.

So, probably three or more people here who can fight.

Huh? This zombie’s got weird wounds.

“This place is a bust. Let’s find somewhere else.”

“Are you sure?”

“Games aren’t worth risking my life for.”

Let’s give up.

No need to rile up survivors.

There are other game stores out there.

Maybe I’ll hit a convenience store on the way back.

Running low on Mandrake.

“Kanzaki-san, anywhere you wanna go?”

“I’m not familiar with this area… Just walking around like this is fun for me.”

Sounds like a date convo.

The situation’s anything but romantic, though.

Anyway, no point sticking around.

Next stop.

I nudge Kanzaki-san, and we turn to leave.

Hmm, any game stores nearby?

Retro game shops are getting rare these days, what a pain.

Ryuugu City’s got tons, but I’m not trekking there just for games…

Shiiya’s bad enough—imagine the hellscape of the prefectural capital…

Wait, was that pharmacy’s upstairs window open when we got here?

Pretty sure it was closed…

A memory flashes in my head.

Those zombie wounds… Could it be!?

“Kanzaki-san!!”

“Kyaa!?”

I grab her arm and sprint toward the pharmacy’s shutter.

A metallic clank rings out amid the crash of hitting the shutter, followed by something metal bouncing on the ground.

At the edge of my vision, a long, thin rod spins through the air.

A bow! Those wounds were from arrows!!

Across from the pharmacy, there’s a wagashi shop.

Its second-floor window swings open.

I hurl a rod shuriken at it.

No hit, but I hear a scream.

Good enough to spook them.

You’re not the only one with ranged weapons!!

I grab another shuriken, ready to throw.

The overhang above creates a blind spot, so we’re safe for now.

But this is the middle of the arcade.

Enemies could come from anywhere!

“Hey! We’re leaving, so stop it! We don’t mean any harm!!”

No response—just an arrow hitting the ground near my feet.

From the window above.

They can’t aim directly at us, so it’s a warning shot.

Oh, you wanna play like that?

…Bring it!!

Kanzaki-san’s got her rifle ready, safety off, poised to fire.

We whisper.

“(What’s the plan, Kanzaki-san?)”

“(You handle anything in shuriken range. I’ll take the rest.)”

Talk about reliable.

Guns are king in times like this.

Wish I could get in sword range to do something.

Good thing I brought plenty of rod shuriken.

They’re tricky to throw and don’t stick easily, so even if they pick them up, they’re not much of a threat.

“(Let’s back along the wall and get out. I’ll handle the guy upstairs.)”

“(Got it. I’ll cover the surroundings.)”

We start sidestepping, keeping our backs to the wall.

Just before we leave the overhang, I pause and lock eyes with Kanzaki-san.

I dart out in a half-crouch, checking the window.

An arm and a crossbow-like weapon poke out.

There!

“Gya!?”

Nailed it—hit their right wrist!

No way they’re pulling a trigger now.

A rifle shot rings out behind me.

The wagashi shop’s window shatters.

“Eek…! HYAAAAA!!”

What a loud scream.

Way more effective than my shuriken warning.

Should we bolt now?

Oh, right.

“GRENADE!!!”

Like I’m in an FPS, I yell, pull the pin, and toss it backward.

One of the spares Kanzaki-san gave me.

This’ll seal the deal.

But I put too much force into it—the grenade arcs and smashes into the fence.

Oops… Meant to throw it closer…

Whatever! No mercy for punks who shoot arrows out of nowhere!

A loud boom echoes.

The fence blows apart.

“Now’s our chance!”

“Yes!”

Shuriken, rifle, grenade.

The other side’s gotta be in chaos.

With the fence down, they won’t have time to mess with us.

We sprint toward the arcade’s exit.

It’s about 300 meters from here.

Come on, lungs, don’t fail me!!

I check left, right, and especially the windows above as we run.

Glancing back, no one’s chasing, and the windows look clear.

But I can’t let my guard down.

From experience, the moment I relax, something goes wrong.

Up ahead, a greengrocer.

Movement at the storefront.

Three armed shadows.

“Stop! Come out, and I’ll kill you!!”

I throw a shuriken as I shout.

It sticks into a vegetable display.

The shadows freeze and retreat.

Smarter than zombies, at least.

“Wait! Wait!!”

“I’m not waiting!!!”

A voice calls from the greengrocer as we pass, but you think I’m falling for that trap!?

“There’s a kid here!”

“Oh yeah? Then take care of them!!”

Another voice from behind, but I brush it off and keep going.

They’re still yammering, but I don’t have time for this.

Finally, we’re out of the arcade.

To avoid snipers, we duck behind a big pillar to catch our breath.

…Kanzaki-san’s not even winded.

The SDF’s insane… No, she’s probably just exceptional.

“Wait! Hear us out!!”

They followed us, huh? Another voice.

I peek with a hand mirror—several guys running, out of breath.

“Don’t move! Stop there! Drop your weapons!!”

Kanzaki-san leaps out, snapping her rifle up.

Damn, that’s cool!

Like an action movie.

“Just listen—”

A gunshot.

A bullet ricochets near the lead guy’s feet.

“STOP!!”

Kanzaki-san’s voice is sharp and commanding.

Even her intimidation’s got style, like a star in a certain theater troupe.

“Eek…! Okay! Don’t shoot! We just wanna talk!!”

Guns are pretty persuasive.

They stop and drop their weapons.

Seems they really want to talk.

“…What do you want? You shot an arrow at us, and we’re pissed.”

I set the bokken aside, draw my sword, and step out in front of Kanzaki-san.

Four guys, about my age or a bit older.

“S-Sorry… Some young hothead jumped the gun. …Are you SDF?”

The oldest-looking one speaks up.

A hothead? What if they’d killed us?

That’s no apology.

“Nope. See ya.”

I turn to leave, and he yells.

“Don’t lie! That one’s in camo with a gun!”

“She’s my friend, a military nerd. We’re not SDF.”

I spit out a half-second lie.

No way I’m giving these guys the truth.

“She’s got a gun!!”

“Picked it off a dead SDF guy.”

“W-Where’d you get it!?”

“Shiiya Garrison, right?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Kanzaki-san plays along.

She’s got a fun side.

“Hey… Know any shelters?”

Another guy pipes up.

“Nope. We’ve been scavenging as a pair, living together.”

“…!?”

Kanzaki-san gasps behind me.

…What’s up?

“Come on… Why not join us here? Two’s gotta be tough.”

Now he’s all sweet-talking.

No way.

They just want Kanzaki-san’s gun.

“Nah, we’re good. Two’s my style.”

“…!?!?”

…What’s with Kanzaki-san? She’s acting weird.

“Talk’s over. We’re leaving. Follow us, and… you know.”

A gunshot.

A bullet hits the ground near them.

“Eek… Wait…”

“No waiting. Bye.”

“(Let’s turn left and take the long way back to the car.)”

“(G-Got it… I mean, got it.)”

Why’d she stumble?

We duck left with Kanzaki-san, quick and quiet.

“Wait! Hold up!!”

Footsteps chase us.

…Persistent bastards.

Kanzaki-san fires a few shots into the pillar.

The ricochet must’ve worked—screams, and the footsteps stop.

Now’s our chance.

※

Checking for tails, we hustle back to the car.

“Man… That was exhausting, Kanzaki-san.”

“…”

“…Kanzaki-san? You feeling okay?”

“Huh!? Yes!! Nice weather, huh, Tanakano-san!!”

…What’s she talking about?

Must be tired.

She’s not showing it, but all that running probably got to her.

I’m a slacker, so she’s probably way more beat.

“…Yeah, hope it’s sunny tomorrow too.”

I nod vaguely and start the engine.

Kanzaki-san must be wiped…

Oh, right.

“How about we go fishing to unwind sometime—”

“I’m in!!!”

Whoa, that startled me!?

She loves fishing that much!?

※

Driving while puzzling over Kanzaki-san’s sudden enthusiasm, I remember something.

I pull over and grab the binder from my pocket.

Flipping through it…

“…Knew I recognized that face.”

“Ah!”

The leader-looking ossan from that group—he’s in the missing persons list.

Requested by his wife, huh…

Hmm…

“…Thought he looked familiar, but guess I was wrong, Kanzaki-san!”

“Right, probably just a lookalike.”

And so, that’s that.

I’m not kind enough to care about some jerk who shot arrows at us.