Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 86: The Swordsman’s Search

Chapter 86: The Swordsman’s Search

Alright, park here. It’s narrow alleys from now on.”

“Got it…”

I pull the truck into the shadow of the curb and step out.

Sakura and Kanzaki-san are back at Occhan’s place—we’re out scouting.

I’m in my usual gear with the bokken.

No need for the backpack, so I leave it in the truck.

Occhan’s rocking a samue, running shoes, and a bokken.

He’s got a helmet, but as always, his gear’s way too light…

I mean, no way a zombie’s catching him, but still.

“You’re still all decked out, huh? Doesn’t that slow you down?”

“I’m a worrier! Can’t move like you or Sensei—that’s not my style.”

“Hey, Taniya-sensei’s on another level. That guy’s a monster. Probably doesn’t even need a bokken.”

Yeah, I can’t argue with that.

Sensei’s probably doing fine.

That man could survive anything short of old age.

I can’t picture him dying any other way.

Alright, let’s get to scouting.

…This setup kinda feels like the father-son duo from Occhan’s favorite Lone Wolf and Cub.

I’d be Ogami Itto, I guess… Man, I’d love to wield a blade like that.

Occhan’s totally Kozure Okami—looks the part, strong as hell, and even fights like him on purpose.

※

“(…Something’s around that corner.)”

“(Zombie?)”

“(Steady presence, no fluctuations—probably. On the right.)”

As we creep through the alley, Occhan whispers.

Noticing something from this distance? That’s wild.

I can’t sense a thing.

Fluctuations? No clue.

Occhan casually picks up a big rock and tosses it.

It flies deep into the alley, clattering loudly.

“GYAAAAA!!” “OOOOOHH!!” “AAAAAAHH!!”

Three of ‘em, huh.

Occhan chucks another rock farther out, and the zombie cries fade.

Corner’s safe now.

Three’s no sweat, but I’d rather not waste energy.

We head left, opposite the rock’s direction.

“Looks like those three were the only ones around.”

“Like you said, Occhan, this place is light on zombies.”

“Not many people lived here to begin with. Plus, unless you’re a carefree bum like you, most folks were at work that day.”

Being jobless… paid off?

Carefree bum’s a pretty apt description, though.

“But what’s your plan, Bouzu?”

“Hm? For what?”

“When this mess is over.”

“…Never thought about it. Probably just work somewhere before my savings run dry.”

I answer Occhan’s question.

This country’s not gonna collapse… probably.

Zombies are a pain, but if the SDF gets organized, wiping them out should be easy.

Set up a circular defense, lure ‘em in, and mow ‘em down with machine guns.

“Guess so… Good to hear.”

“?”

“You just seem so… at ease with all this.”

…He saw through me.

Not like I was hiding it.

“Haha, this situation’s kinda chill for me. Got more to protect lately, though, so I’m stepping up a bit.”

“It ain’t a laughing matter, you idiot! Hurry up and get a wife, become a proper human!”

“If one’s just lying around, sure…”

We banter as we walk, keeping an eye on our surroundings.

Soon, we exit the alley into a small, old-school residential area, all cramped and jumbled.

“From the address, Takanotsume’s place is farther than this guy’s. Let’s hit it first.”

“Roger that.”

We’re after two people today.

Takanotsume-san, Occhan’s acquaintance.

And another, “Touka-rin,” in the same area.

…Not “Shouji,” but “Touka-rin.”

Rare name, like reading Hattori as “Fukube.”

The client’s his wife; the guy’s 45.

Works from home, apparently.

A translator, huh.

His wife got caught in the zombie outbreak at her part-time job in Shiiya City and couldn’t get back.

Hmm… If he didn’t leave the house that day, he might be fine…

But with food and all, it’s hard to imagine he never stepped out.

“This is it.”

Occhan stops in front of a fancy house.

Romanized “TOKAIRIN” on the gate—definitely the place.

Almost walked into a “Shouji” house nearby.

Confusing setup.

No signs of destruction.

The yard’s overgrown, practically a jungle.

…Hasn’t been back?

“Bouzu, check this out.”

Occhan jerks his chin toward the entrance.

…Bloodstains smeared against the wall, trailing to the door.

Looks like someone, injured, leaned on the wall to stagger inside.

“That’s a lot of blood… Dried, so it’s old.”

“From the position and amount, left shoulder. Bite or injury, it’s not light.”

…Either dead inside or zombified.

The entrance is an old-school sliding door.

Locked, but honestly, brute force could bust it.

We circle the house, checking for signs of life or locks.

No presence, no reaction to pebbles tossed at windows.

Guess we’re going in.

The client’s notes included checking the house’s status, so breaking the lock should be fine.

“You open it. I’ll cover.”

Got it—division of labor.

Old lock, so I lift the sliding door from below, push diagonally, and use leverage to break it.

Nghhh… Strength is power!!

With a creak, the lock warps and snaps.

I pull it back and slide the door open.

Occhan’s in a compact stance, ready to thrust if needed.

No figures inside.

We lock eyes, and I draw my ken-nata, keeping the wakizashi sheathed as backup.

Ken-nata’s better for zombies—more forgiving.

I take point, reaching for the nearest fusuma.

Ken-nata in my right hand, I slide it open with my left.

…Living room, no one here, but a ton of blood on the tatami, trailing to another fusuma.

As I move to open it, Occhan puts a hand on my shoulder.

…?

What’s up?

“(Open it fast on my signal.)”

He shifts to a seigan stance, legs slowly spreading.

…Something’s beyond this.

“(Now.)”

I crouch, and on his cue, I slide the fusuma wide.

A blood-soaked middle-aged man lurches forward, eyes red—zombie!

It’s really here!

“…Tch!!”

From a relaxed stance, Occhan’s thrust pierces the zombie’s throat as it opens its mouth.

A sickening gozuri sound, and the zombie’s blasted to the wall.

It slides down, neck twisted beyond normal limits.

…Instant kill, huh.

A devastating thrust, pinpointing all force to one spot.

No wasted motion, pure destructive power.

Reminds me of that gut punch I took way back.

Felt it through my spine—he was holding back then, too.

“…Probably him, but let’s check the other rooms.”

“No photo, so yeah, let’s confirm.”

Two-story house, so we sweep the first floor.

Nothing.

Up to the second—empty too.

Guess that zombie’s Touka-rin.

We search for a note or will, but nothing.

Must’ve turned fast.

His neck’s a mess, so we adjust it, close his eyes, and snap a photo.

Not planning to show the wife, but just in case she asks for proof.

Don’t want her saying, “Did you even go?”

I take his wristwatch as evidence.

“Left shoulder’s got a bite mark. That’s what turned him.”

“Yup. Bitten and alive? 100% zombie. Scary stuff.”

…Atsushi-san’s lucky it was just a finger.

My swordwork’s not half bad either.

Good thing I moved fast.

It’s a zombie, but leaving it feels wrong.

Occhan and I dig a grave in the yard and bury him.

Can’t just leave him in the house…

We pay respects at Touka-rin’s grave and leave.

…Hate to say it, but I’m getting used to making graves.

Takanotsume-san’s place is a bit farther.

※

“So, what happened to Takanotsume-san’s dad?”

“Accident. Traffic. Got hit by a truck that ran a red light.”

Ouch, that’s rough…

“Pushed his daughter out of the way and took the hit.”

…Damn, what a dad.

Not everyone could do that.

…Atsushi-san would, and probably survive.

“That’s part of it. Didn’t get along with her mom’s new husband, so no adoption.”

Yeah… no one’s at fault, but I get her feelings.

She must’ve loved her dad.

“Hm, how’d you know her dad?”

“Customer. He did kyudo, taught high school, coached the team.”

Makes sense—Occhan’s got connections in the martial arts world.

Sensei bought stuff from him too.

Spears, six-foot staffs…

…Swordsmanship??

“What about her mom?”

“Think she worked at a big department store in Ryuugu.”

Ryuugu City… Prefecture capital, plus a department store…

Sounds like a mess.

“There, that green roof.”

We walk a bit, and Occhan spots the house.

Having a local makes this easy.

A solid house, brick walls, sturdy gate.

No visible damage—looks okay.

I press the doorbell.

No response, obviously.

No electricity.

Now what?

Shouting from here would take some lungs…

But making noise might draw zombies.

“Could she be at work?”

“Nah, not working now.”

Oh? A fellow jobless soul?

“Unlike you, her company went bust. Came to the shop to say hi before the outbreak, ‘cause of her dad.”

Oof… Her unemployment’s heavier than mine.

I basically got a fat bonus and quit on good terms.

“Kaori-chan was in the kyudo club through college, influenced by her dad. Still competes in the adult league.”

Nice, keeping it up.

That’s why she’s tight with Occhan.

Bet she’s good.

“Standing here’s pointless. Let’s climb the gate and call from the entrance.”

“Got it.”

“You’re up, Bouzu. Open the gate from inside. You’re young—hustle.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

I’m pushing middle age by general standards, but whatever.

Younger than Occhan, at least.

I lean my bokken against the gatepost.

With a running start, I grab the gate and climb.

Careful not to hit the spikes on top, I drop down quietly.

Time to unlock the gate…

“Bouzu!!”

Occhan’s shout.

The sound of a bowstring snapping.

That’s a kyudo bow!

I draw my wakizashi, twisting into a half-stance!

A byou sound, and an arrow flies.

I slash it out of the air.

That was close!

Nice shot… Straight for my torso, so I could cut it.

Bracing for a second shot, I angle my left shoulder forward, guarding my head with the wakizashi’s hilt.

I draw the ken-nata, holding it reverse-grip, hidden behind my body.

Nagumo-ryu, Arrow-Cutting Form: Senju.

…Cool name, right?

It’s just swinging both weapons to slice arrows, though.

“Kaori-chan! It’s me, Nakamu—”

Occhan’s voice cuts off as a second arrow flies.

Damn, she’s good!

A headshot this time—I slash it away.

This stance limits their aim, making it easier to parry.

With one archer, covering vitals is enough.

Thanks to Sensei’s insane training, I’m alive…

At this range, a kyudo bow could pierce my vest and inner gear.

“Nakamura! He’s with me!”

She finally hears Occhan, and no third shot comes.

“…Mondo-ojichan? For real?”

A faint voice from the second-floor window.

Sounds like she hasn’t talked to anyone in a while.

“Why would I lie about this? Look at this face! He’s not an enemy!”

Did he take off his helmet?

A gasp from the window.

“S-Sorry!”

Frantic footsteps.

Probably running down the stairs.

The entrance clicks and opens.

“I’m so sorry!”

A teary-eyed woman with semi-long hair steps out.

She’s wearing… what’s it called? That kyudo chest guard over her clothes.

From Occhan’s reaction, this is Takanotsume-san, no doubt.

Her cheeks are a bit sunken.

Running low on food?

I sheathe my weapons, standing down.

“No, no, don’t worry. Some guy climbing your gate looks like a bandit… My bad.”

Normally, I’m a straight-up trespasser.

Should’ve called out from the street.

Got too worried about zombies.

My bad.

“Sorry… Um, the gate’s safe to open.”

Taking her word, I unlock it.

“My fault too, Kaori-chan. We should’ve called out first.”

Occhan steps in, echoing my thoughts.

She locks the gate behind us, and we face each other.

“Been a while, Kaori-chan. You don’t look great, but I’m glad you’re alive.”

“You’re okay too, Ojichan… Thank god. Who’s this?”

My cue to introduce myself.

“Hey, I’m Tanakano Ichirouta. Old friend of Occhan’s…”

“I’m… Takanotsume Kaori. I’m really sorry about earlier…”

“No, no, that was a normal reaction! Our fault, so let’s drop it.”

Against looters, that was a perfect 100.

Unlike the shopping street, this is her property.

Can’t complain about getting attacked.

We really screwed up.

We end up in this weird loop of bowing apologies.

“T-Thanks for saying that… Um, come in. I’ll make tea…”

“Bouzu, let’s take her up on it. This ain’t a short talk, right?”

True, but…

“Sorry for the intrusion.”

We follow Takanotsume-san into her house.