Ch.116Chapter 16. Dispersion (2)

I drove back in the pickup truck but didn’t head straight to the laboratory. I needed to make sure no one was following me.

So I set up position in a two-story building southwest of the lab. It was safe—a place I had already “cleared” with Camilla and Cassandra.

I parked the pickup truck right at the entrance and radioed Camilla. Radio for short distances, cell phones only when absolutely necessary. That’s the rule we established.

– Even in that situation, you pretended to be a fanatic?

Camilla burst into laughter over the radio.

“When you say ‘fanatics,’ it makes them look like they have greater numbers. They’ll act more cautiously.”

– Got it. When are you coming back?

“I’ll be in before sunset. I need to park the truck near the lab and move the supplies.”

– Alright. Don’t worry.

The radio went silent. It’s good to have a sniper watching your back.

I heard banging on the metal panels. A zombie was messing with the pickup truck. It tried to take a bite, thinking it might be food, but soon lost interest and staggered away to wander the streets like the others.

Of course, the truck wouldn’t break down from that. It’s a fine vehicle with added armor plating. Unless a white-haired woman with purple eyes and a good figure tears it apart with her bare hands, that is.

I scan the horizon with binoculars.

On the withering wheat field, a group of human zombies is fighting with a pack of zombie dogs. I’m not particularly interested in the outcome, but I am curious about the zombies’ clothes.

Zombies wander around outdoors regardless of weather. Most clothes wear out quickly. But these zombies were wearing new clothes. That means they haven’t been turned for long.

Lately, there have been more zombies in new clothes. Most of them are skinny and have large wounds somewhere on their arms or legs. They probably got hungry, wandered around looking for food, got bitten, and underwent rapid mutation.

Some were walking around with broken necks. Those must have hanged themselves in despair. They probably thought death would be the end, but no.

The Crow virus will do whatever it takes to keep its host alive. That’s how it spreads far and wide.

It absorbs nutrients even if it means consuming nearby companions, and stuffs flesh into damaged body parts, no matter how misshapen they become.

Once infected, death isn’t really death. Unless your head or heart gets blown away, or your body is scattered.

Sooner or later, everyone in this world eventually becomes a zombie.

A zombie dog jumps onto a human zombie’s back. The human zombie, top-heavy and off-balance, falls into the wheat field. The pack of zombie dogs barks and lowers their heads toward the fallen one.

I thought they were going to feed, but no.

The dogs lower themselves into the wheat field. Only one large one, probably the leader, keeps its head up.

I follow its gaze with my binoculars. Far away. Even farther. I could barely make out a silver box shining on the highway.

A vehicle. Something that wasn’t there before. People. I quietly picked up the radio.

“Camilla. Do you see a silver vehicle on the southwest highway?”

– Just a moment. Yes, I see it. A truck with a silver trailer. It definitely wasn’t there before. I couldn’t have missed something that reflective.

Could they be following me?

No, that’s unlikely. If they wanted to follow quietly, they wouldn’t be driving around in such a flashy trailer. It’s practically advertising “Here I am.”

But something about it bothers me.

– They’re getting out.

I couldn’t see well from my position. I had to rely on Camilla’s observations.

– They’re pretty cocky.

“Why? I can’t see clearly from here.”

– That guy is looking around with just the scope from a sniper rifle. The reflection is intense. That one’s military.

“Is he wearing a uniform?”

– No. Casual clothes with a tactical vest. But soldiers have a certain look. Their attitude, that distinctive something about them.

Must be guerrilla instinct. She’s probably right. But why would soldiers come all this way in a truck with a trailer rather than a military vehicle? What are they up to?

– They’re leaving.

A moment later, the shiny vehicle disappeared down the road. And never reappeared.

* * * * *

I returned to the laboratory before sunset. I moved the cargo from the truck and had a late dinner. I didn’t have much appetite, but you need to eat well during peaceful times.

I spread out a map and traced the vehicle’s movement. It definitely came from the southwest and passed through the northeast road.

“The trailer was big. It could easily accommodate five or six people. If you count those in the truck too, we’re looking at up to eight people.”

Camilla tapped the map. Cassandra cowered in fear.

“C-could it be the National Military Police? N-no, probably not…”

I’m not sure. If it were the National Military Police, wouldn’t they have just come straight through? Besides, trailers and trucks guzzle fuel. Would they waste precious fuel when it’s in short supply?

“If they were coming for you, Cassandra, they would have brought more than ten people. These seem like different people. And they don’t look like Liberation Corps members either.”

Wondering if I was being too presumptuous, I glanced at Camilla. She raised her chin.

“Their equipment was too good. Even at a glance, I could see their rifles had rails and attachments. The Liberation Corps doesn’t have money for that stuff.”

“You could see their equipment?”

“Well, I was on the roof under a blanket, scanning with a telescope.”

That would have reduced reflection, but it must have been terribly hot on a summer day. When I looked at her with admiration, Camilla seemed a bit proud.

“Anyway, it felt creepy. They were definitely looking ‘this way.’ But I’m not sure if they were looking at our building or watching the zombies fighting.”

“Either way, we need to strengthen our security.”

At that moment, Cassandra timidly raised her hand. Camilla playfully grabbed her wrist and pulled it up higher.

“Eeeek!”

Her t-shirt rode up a bit. Cassandra’s large breasts bounced. Her soft-looking belly was pale white.

“Raise it confidently, just do it.”

Cassandra, not knowing what to do, desperately lowered her arm.

“Um, our laboratory… has surveillance cameras, right?”

There are surveillance cameras installed on each floor.

“So?”

“I was thinking… maybe we could modify them…”

Since it’s a research facility, there are CCTVs in each floor and room, and a separate monitoring room. Of course, they’re completely useless since there’s no electricity in the building.

“That’s a good idea, but I don’t know how. I could learn if someone taught me. What about you, Johan?”

I have no idea. I’m good at shooting, setting traps, and following my instincts, but I’m terrible at repairing or modifying electronic devices. Instead, I looked hopefully at Cassandra.

“…Oh, you can’t do it either? I thought you two might know how.”

“What? You can’t do it either? You’re good at programming.”

“Y-yes, I’m good with that, but modifying machines is a different skill…”

Cassandra tried to explain, but thinking about it, we might not need to modify the building’s CCTV system after all.

* * * * *

The next day.

Camilla looked displeased, and Cassandra was trembling.

“J-J-Johan. Do you really have to do this? What if you get hurt?”

She was so close out of genuine concern that her chest was almost pressing against me. Well, they’re so large that’s bound to happen.

“This is cheaper.”

I reassured her with that simple statement. Camilla finally frowned.

“I’m helping because you want this, but if anything happens, I’m shooting regardless of the noise.”

“That’s fine.”

Actually, it’s not such a dangerous plan. The two of them are overreacting. Camilla was so incredulous that she even offered to follow me around.

But there’s no need for that.

“We can’t afford to split our attention.”

“…I should have found a sports crossbow. Those are really quiet.”

“I told you. Nothing’s going to happen.”

I tapped the rider’s jacket covering my entire body. With a helmet on top, at least my bare skin won’t be exposed. Of course, I shouldn’t underestimate a zombie’s bite force.

I shouldered my backpack and walked out of the laboratory. I used anti-odor shampoo and body wash to reduce my scent, but it would still be problematic if I started sweating heavily.

The time is 10:30 AM. When it starts getting really hot. The time when zombies’ movements mysteriously slow down. Maybe they know moving in hot weather consumes more energy, or maybe they’re just lazy.

“Let’s do this.”

I cracked my knuckles. Riding an electric bicycle, I quietly headed to the farthest building. It’s a small building with front and back doors, and the first floor has glass walls all around.

I deliberately rang the bicycle bell. Ding… ding… ding… The pleasant, clear sound echoed. Soon, zombies popped out from alleys, from under surprisingly still-living trees, and from between flower beds.

They seem confused, not yet understanding the situation. Four of them. That should be enough.

“Here we go.”

I took out the weapon I had carefully made. A slingshot. The rubber band is sturdy, and the frame is metal, so it’s reliable. I took out pebbles I had brought along, aimed at a zombie’s knee, and fired.

“Gak.”

It hit, but it was too weak. The zombie that suffered the unexpected blow grimaced and approached. Still, the impact wasn’t completely ineffective, as it limped slightly.

“That’s right.”

This is more my style. I picked up a broken brick from the nearby wall and threw it hard at the zombie’s crotch.

Thud.

A magnificent sound rang out. The zombie opened its mouth wide, then brought its legs together and sat down. Not so much from pain as from the impact.

The expression I wanted appeared on its face.

Hatred.

“Kyaah.”

My thighs trembled a bit, but the zombie followed me. Slowly backing away, I quickly entered through the front door. The zombies followed me and the one that got hit in the crotch.

I dragged cabinets and desks across the floor. Screech! I didn’t care if the floor got damaged; I just dragged them over. I blocked the back door and slammed it shut.

“Gyaaak, baaak.”

I could hear the zombies fumbling around inside. Carefully, making no sound, I went around the corner of the building. I quietly closed the front door. The stupid creatures were still struggling at the back door.

Zombies that heard the commotion came out onto the street.

“Hey, feeling a bit hurt? I spread my scent all over, and you still don’t recognize me?”

Actually, I had scattered old clothes and blankets with my, Camilla’s, and Cassandra’s scents around this area.

Just as animals recognize their owners by smell, I had a vague hope that these zombies might become less aggressive if they got used to our scents.

But whether the scent was too weak, or the zombies around here are just too stupid, it doesn’t seem to have had much effect yet.

If it had worked, I could have walked comfortably among the zombies, and above all, I could have freely tested the “pheromone-like” substance that supposedly comes from my body.

You can only train a dog if it recognizes its owner; if it doesn’t recognize you, there’s no way. So what choice do I have? Might as well use them as living CCTVs.

Trapping zombies inside each building. Using them as living CCTV substitutes. That’s my plan.

Won’t they die if trapped in buildings? It’s fine. We can bring in new zombies. Actually, if we just leave the doors open, they’ll be drawn in by the terrible smell.

“Let’s see if these strangers can get through this.”