Chapter 5 - 2 Settling down, part 2
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
Shizuka decided to help the teens with physical training. Though Yumiko had a solid idea of what she's doing as a former Prefectural Tennis champion, she's still blind about what it means to fight.
"That's where I came for." Shizuka waved the notes Yumiko made before giving them to the owner. "Miura's guidebook is actually good if you want to increase agility and general fitness. I'm here to teach you how to translate that into attack power and life or death survival."
"First of all, what are a female's biggest weakness? Upper body strength?" Shizuka scoffed. "No, it is the pelvic bones. Based on the research and records in the military, women are twice as likely to get hip injuries, if not more, compared to men."
"Sensei," Saika whined. "I'm a boy, though."
"Sure you are, but you also have a triangle figure. You look like a girl and over 5 kilograms heavier somehow. This training will be useful for your body form. If you follow my training plan, you can kick a lot of ass and keep up with the boys."
"Ah, understandable." Saika nodded.
Indeed. Saika is a relatively short, slender, and effeminate boy with narrow shoulders and wide hips. Fully clothed, it is easy to mistake him for a tomboyish, albeit shy girl.
Better to train Saika as if he were a girl due to his unique anatomy. However, he will still obtain a better strength-to-weight ratio than them.
"Be honest, though. You girls have different motives about the training, right?"
"To be honest, we're wondering how we developed a massive appetite as of recently. Even when we were sick." Hina bluntly told Shizuka. "We don't eat much less than the boys, and if we have to gain weight, we might as well turn it into muscle."
Yumiko slapped her own face in embarrassment. But it wasn't like she denied it.
"True," Shizuka said. "At your age, there's almost an 800-calorie gap between boys and girls. But this gap shrunk in just three days. That's because our metabolism is accelerated in response to the virus."
"Kawasaki also noticed how our body is getting stronger. In contrast, the appetite among the boys hasn't really increased much, right?" Shizuka pointed. "It's because they're refining their optimized body, but it's a chance for us to start narrowing the gap."
"Now, lie on the damn mattress, knee folded! Hip thrust upward, fifteen times a set!" Shizuka ordered as she showed an example. "Four sets! Slow but steady!"
The three teens looked embarrassed, but they persevered.
After that, they did standing exercises, prone, sideways leaning, leg folding, side stepping, and squats.
Each of them were the same. Fifteen times a set, four sets per exercise.
"Alright. Breakfast now!" Shizuka pointed to the sky. "After breakfast, we'll have a combat 101 while you digest your food. Then we get into practicals."
True to how the girls realized it. Everyone ate. A lot. Even that thin-ass girl Yukinoshita Yukino. She's as tall as Shizuka but probably somewhere ten kilograms lighter. If she eats like this, that's not going to stay long.
"...Do you like cat food that much?" Yumiko winced. "Just because it's about cats?"
"Other than needing more salt and spice, it is fine," Yukino calmly said as she spooned the tuna from the can after she sprinkled salt and pepper. "Can't exactly whine about branding when you risk malnutrition."
"Look, canned food is fine. But if we start eating dry kibbles, I'd sew a straight jacket for myself." Hina smiled with a scary face, clearly not enjoying it as much as Yukino did.
Yumiko stuck her tongue in disgust. "I'm sorry."
Indeed, because they're still recovering, they have the luxury of eating cat food. Most didn't like it, but they had to bear with it. At least they can eat rice and vegetables to go with them.
At least Komachi promised that by lunch, they would eat cooked meat. And yes, even a cat meal can be cooked and seasoned into a palatable dish. This would be the last time they eat straight out of the can!
"How's the training?" Hayato asked. "Anything feels lacking?"
"We barely began. But thankfully, Sensei will help." Yumiko told him.
"I wish we could join. But the weapons aren't going to build themselves. We had to finish it before noon." Tobe said. "Hayato is more skillful than I am in creating things. I'm mostly there to help him get familiar with the power tools."
"Take your time. Burnout is not good for anyone." Shizuka said. "You can join the explanation class and skip the practicals."
"Let us do just that."
...
"I think by this point, everyone understands the attributes of zombies. They have poor eyesight, poor hearing, and their coordination are asses. However, they're a little slower than living humans, have infinite stamina, and have strong pain tolerance. That is if they feel pain at all."
"Grievous injuries that would stop any humans can't stop them. Only significant neck and head injuries permanently send them to the grave. However, that doesn't mean that you can ignore their limbs."
"A zombie with a broken arm is a zombie that can't claw or punch you. A zombie with broken legs is limping and can't leap to jump on you. Just because they don't feel pain doesn't mean they're indestructible. If you can't target their head or neck, slam their elbows, hips or knees."
"However, for now, we had to talk with the most dangerous type of zombie yet: a fit adult male. This type of zombie gives me trouble, and Hayama probably understood this the most." Shizuka explained. "The combination of their body mass and strength means they could easily tackle most of you to the ground."
"This is where you had to forget about blocking. You only have two options: to dodge their tackle or bash their face aside." Shizuka slammed the explanation board. "Unless you mastered knee strikes like Tobe or Kawasaki, you can forget trying to block them."
"Always make sure you have solid footing on the ground. Have your feet spread slightly, your center of gravity lowered, and your arms ready to take action. As you realize, this is the most basic martial arts stance. You will use this a lot."
Since all the Second-year students already have elective classes, they are familiar with the basics of Judo or Kendo. Either way, they did not start from scratch. Shizuka only needs to iron out the flaws.
"So this is why Sensei trains us in squats and side-stepping." Hina realized.
"I think I realized my mistakes now," Hayato mumbled. "I need to stop thinking about wrestling the zombies, no matter how strong I am."
"Right." Shizuka nodded. "Hayama took a lot of zombies on his first fight, but he got hurt a lot because he only thought about taking them down. Be more concerned with your own body and surroundings."
"I get it, Sensei!" Hayato nodded.
"And thirdly... no matter how strong, skilled, or calculating you are, you're bound to be hurt." Shizuka's face turned grave as she removed her favorite lab coat and revealed her bruised and bandaged arms. "Never flinch, never panic. When you get bitten, find any way to save yourself by hitting them as fast and hard as possible."
"There's no place for tears on the battlefield." Shizuka sighed. "You can cry or whine after you finish. You can do anything after you survive the ordeal. But we're a small community, so there will be times when everyone has to fight. That's something even Hikigaya's little sister realizes."
"Alright. No more doom and gloom. We're going to practicals now!" Shizuka pulled a ball out of nowhere. "We're playing dodgeball!"
"Eh?" The teens blinked.
Much to their surprise, the training was trickier than they thought. When Shizuka said dodgeball, she was simulating zombie tackle. They couldn't afford to catch the ball.
The training was so intense the teens ended up bruised and tired by the end of the session.
"Do a cooldown stretching, hydrate with a sports drink, take some painkiller, and then we're ready for some real zombie action." Shizuka punches her palm. "Chop-chop!"
"Wha? We're going to fight for real?!" Saika gawked.
"Sensei!" Hayato was so shocked he stood up in protest.
"I don't tolerate sheep behavior. No bravado and no dragging others down. Either you're ready, or you're not. Make a decision for yourself, not other people in your group. This is individual training." Shizuka told them.
"I'm going." Yumiko stood up. "I'm tired of waiting."
"Me too." Saika also stood up. "Even Hachiman and Komachi-chan are fighting. I could not stand still."
"I just want to protect myself." Hina also stood up.
"Then I'll also-" Hayato was about to force his way in, but Tobe stopped him. "Tobe!"
"You and I know more than anyone else," Tobe told him. "Sensei won't send them into an unwinnable fight as a training. And she will watch over them."
Hayato clenched his teeth.
"Hayato," Yumiko told him. "Please be careful, and don't hurt yourself working."
"Yeah." Hayato weakly nodded. "Come back safely."
Unexpectedly, Yukino stood up and put her scabbard on.
With a lengthened handle covered in paracord, the big knife can now rightfully be mistaken as a broad saber.
"...And where are you going, Yukinoshita?"
"I'm just going to watch, Sensei." Yukino smiled brightly. "I won't interfere, but you don't need to protect me, either."
Shizuka honestly doubts that.
"Stick around. I'll spank you if you cause trouble with your weak body." Shizuka said. "Let's go."
The group walked beside the road toward their original camp... no, they did not stop there. Instead, they continued walking by the roadside until they reached the abandoned ski resort.
"By my calculation, there are ten to twelve zombies here," Shizuka said. "Half of them are elderly, but the other half is uncertain. Either way, remember your lesson. If you freeze, you will die."
Shizuka remembered the car position, which hadn't changed at all. She kicked the high-risk car to make sure the alarm was triggered. A faint scream and growls filled the air, followed by glass breaking. Terror crept into the spine of the teens, but they followed their lesson and readier their stance, weapons in hand.
"Spread a bit, and pay attention to my lead." Shizuka walked forward and then swung her fist in a picture-perfect cross-punch. Though she did not have an armored glove, the working gloves gave her much-needed protection against abrasion.
And her fist met the fastest zombie's face, stopping its charge in mid-air. The impact threw both the zombie and Shizuka backward.
"That hurts, but not as much as it could." Shizuka grinned as she landed on her feet. She swung her fist left and right to deflect the charge of two other zombies, making them stumble.
She wasn't supposed to join. But she wanted to show the teens the best way to deal with zombie tackle.
For this reason, she avoided fatal hits.
"Your turn!" Shizuka retreated, leaving the flabbergasted teens to tighten their grip on their weapons.
As soon as one zombie recovered and was about to leap again, Yumiko's crowbar smashed its teeth and broke its jaw. It wasn't a fatal hit, but fewer teeth and a weakened jaw means less dangerous bites.
Saika dodged his first opponent and smacked it on the knee, causing the zombie to stumble. However, Saika didn't commit enough, and the zombie shrugged off a partially broken bone.
When the zombie leaped at Saika, he used his hammer's handle to prevent bites and shoved it away.
Hina failed to defeat her first opponent, and both fell. By sheer coincidence, though, the sharp tip of her weapon stabbed through the zombie's chest, momentarily stunned it.
She used the lever principle to push it aside and then pulled her weapon, only to stab through the throat and push down with her entire body weight.
Hina's weapon is called a gold lever. English speakers called it a hop bar or spud bar. It was a solid iron bar with a pointed tip on one end and a chisel on the other, used for ground and woodworking.
Saika delivered three hits to the zombie, mangled the skull, and took it down. The framing hammer is an efficient bludgeoning weapon, but it requires accuracy that Saika did not have yet.
In contrast, Yumiko effectively used her crowbar and took her second opponent with less effort than they needed to take one.
"Good work on your first fray," Shizuka said as she held a zombie in a chokehold. The living dead flailed helplessly, without fear, yet unable to muster resistance. "Who's up to take this one?"
Yukino calmly stepped as she pulled her knife from the sheath. The curved cleaver-like blade was no longer awkward with the lengthened handle.
"Are you sure?"
"I have to test whether the knife is reliable. If not, I will have to reprofile it." Yukino said. "Please, Sensei."
Shizuka had doubts but decided to release and push the zombie in her direction. Saika was aghast while Yumiko and Hina covered their mouth. They were afraid that Yukino pushed her boundaries too hard.
Only for a zombie head to fly, with the body sliding on the ground, lifeless.
This crazy girl. Shizuka thought. Even she felt frightened.
"Ah." Yukino inspected the blade as she wiped the blood with a rag. "Only sharp enough to defeat one zombie. It really needs to be quenched and tempered."
"Are you insane?! A single stroke to cut their neck, and you're unsatisfied?!" Yumiko screamed.
"As far as I know, fighting just a zombie is a luxury." Yukino eerily smiled. "Is that not right, Sensei."
"True. But with your skill, you might just kill a zombie with a plastic knife." Shizuka snarked. "Don't get too humble and get on everyone's nerves."
Joke aside, even Shizuka would not be confident taking on Yukino unarmed. No, even if Shizuka had a weapon, she would gamble her life facing this tall and slim princess.
"Well, hate to admit, but you might be the strongest among us," Yumiko told Yukino, clearly annoyed. "But don't push yourself too hard. Your body is still recovering."
"Thank you for the concern, Miura-san."
The second wave of the zombies was lackluster. Most were aged, and if anything, this made the teens feel emotional damage.
Kougen Chibamura Ski Resort - Infestation cleaned up
"Let's sort their body and pray for them," Shizuka ordered. "Let us never forget that they were not born monsters. They were human and deserve a dignified death."
Everyone prayed toward the rows of dead bodies put beside the road.
"Does anyone get bit or scratched? We need to use antiseptic to clean our wounds. If not, take another painkiller before or after dinner."
"Just a few drops of iodine is good." Saika scratched his chin.
Thankfully, other than a few bruises and scrapes, the teens did not suffer any wounds.
The police group came with Dr. Masako to check everyone for the final time. Yukinoshita Yukino was cleared as healthy, although her body still hadn't fully adjusted.
"Do not stop taking antibiotics yet." Dr. Masako told everyone. "God knows no one else had the luxury."
"Right."
"Sensei!" Tobe waved his hand. "The transaction is done!"
"Coming!" Shizuka bowed at Dr. Masako and approached Tobe and the police. "So, what did you get in exchange for the weapons?"
"Information." Tobe winked.
"Good job." Shizuka pointed a thumb.
"We planned to increase shelter defense and hauling materials from the nearest lumberyard and factory this morning. If you're lucky, you might find some leftover materials there."
"Hmm, materials would be useful, but...what about zombies?"
"Significantly thinned out for now, but we don't know how tomorrow would be. Zombies formed hordes and started moving in large groups. It is a huge concern for us." The police sighed. "I am glad that Hayama-kun and Tobe-kun are being helpful."
Tobe and Hayato crafted various weapons for the police, including a longer steel pipe with foam filler, a shorter baton and tonfa with resin filler for weight, and even a mace with nuts and bolts for the head.
That is a lot of blunt force!
"I think I'm more confident now," Hayato said. "It'll take a lot of practice and study to make anything complex, but if it's a simple item, I could make them."
"As for Sensei, we could only find this." The police gave Shizuka a set of semi-worn black gloves. "We found this in a lost and found locker, and no one had been claiming it. We figure you could use this."
Okay, now that is an epic gift. While these old-school gloves don't have armor, they are still comfortable and somewhat protective. An improvement over simple work gloves.
"Thank you, officer. I will treasure this." Shizuka slightly bowed.
"As for boots, we could not help with that. But if you want a better shoe, here's the address of the local shoe manufacturer."
Honestly, some of the girls are running around with sandals. Any shoe would be an improvement!
"Also, we found this in a resort somewhere. Left behind by a tourist. Our citizens are afraid to use this, and Dr. Shimada said we might as well give it to you."
"Oh, Advil?" Shizuka grinned. "You are too generous, officer. Thank you, as well, doctor."
It is strange for Japanese doctors to be so lenient with pain medication, even if it is OTC. Based entirely on Shizuka's experience, doctors are so stingy about them. Plus, the concept of "Gaman" - a Buddhist philosophy of enduring the unbearable which therefore discourages the use of painkillers in general.
"If you have significant injuries or illness, contact me again." Dr. Masako said. "I am not handing out the stronger stuff without you needing one."
Well, that was expected.
"We might ask for help sometimes in the future. And if you need help, feel free to come to us." The police group friendlily bowed before they left with their car.
"Getting on the good side with local authorities is advantageous." Shizuka made an OK sign on the teens. "Just make sure to consider the risks.
CHAPTER 5 END
DAY 3 - TURN 2
"Good job, Taishi." Saki congratulated her hard-working little brother. "And Hikigaya's little sister, too."
Komachi saluted. "Thank Taishi-kun for his Boy Scout training."
"We're lucky the farm nearby is harvesting time. We can prolong their life as long as there's enough water." Taishi explained. "Replanting is an issue, but I don't think we can afford to worry about that."
Unlike in survival games, farming is about the most tedious and unrewarding job one can do to survive. That's why they respect real farmers even more.
"Do we really need the materials? What if you get into a dangerous fight like yesterday?" Yumiko questioned.
"I was thinking about that, too, but chances are tomorrow it will be more dangerous to go there," Hayato argued. "At least, if we go today, some of the zombies are cleaned by the shelter volunteers."
"Hmm. Can't say I see holes in that argument. I'm still worried, though." Yumiko said.
"We're still afraid to go out alone that far. If Sensei disagrees, then we're not doing it." Tobe shrugged. "Stealing a truck is one thing. Taking it into a road full of zombies by myself? No way."
"I'm out," Hachiman said. "I'm just going to help make tomato juice because I hate sliced tomatoes."
"Preserving vegetables as smoothies might seem silly, but it is the best way to keep them edible for a long time in the fridges." Saki nodded. "It's fresh to 14 days and edible up to 28 days. Just in case we don't have fresh veggies in upcoming weeks."
"Komachi will cook the minced meat. It won't be as delicious. But it can last for months when preserved." Komachi said.
"So that's why you insist on getting literal buckets of preservatives." Shizuka nodded. "Alright. Sounds like a good plan."
"We'll scout the area nearby to see if they're safe," Hina said. "Since the police said the hordes could move unpredictably, at least we had to gauge how close they are."
"Careful, Hina," Yumiko told her. "Don't try to fight when you can avoid it."
"I'll join you, Ebina-san." Saika said.
"I'll also be there," Zaimokuza said. "I'll be the shield that protects everyone."
"Right."
Shizuka had to decide what to do now.
[ ] Cooking action - Make energy bars
Take it easy for today. Make energy bars to replenish stamina mid-journey.
[ ] Steal a truck and loot the factory (Easy)
Depart and steal the material while the zone is still relatively clean. This will change the schedule board to fit the best party requirement.
[ ] Write in
"That's where I came for." Shizuka waved the notes Yumiko made before giving them to the owner. "Miura's guidebook is actually good if you want to increase agility and general fitness. I'm here to teach you how to translate that into attack power and life or death survival."
"First of all, what are a female's biggest weakness? Upper body strength?" Shizuka scoffed. "No, it is the pelvic bones. Based on the research and records in the military, women are twice as likely to get hip injuries, if not more, compared to men."
"Sensei," Saika whined. "I'm a boy, though."
"Sure you are, but you also have a triangle figure. You look like a girl and over 5 kilograms heavier somehow. This training will be useful for your body form. If you follow my training plan, you can kick a lot of ass and keep up with the boys."
"Ah, understandable." Saika nodded.
Indeed. Saika is a relatively short, slender, and effeminate boy with narrow shoulders and wide hips. Fully clothed, it is easy to mistake him for a tomboyish, albeit shy girl.
Better to train Saika as if he were a girl due to his unique anatomy. However, he will still obtain a better strength-to-weight ratio than them.
"Be honest, though. You girls have different motives about the training, right?"
"To be honest, we're wondering how we developed a massive appetite as of recently. Even when we were sick." Hina bluntly told Shizuka. "We don't eat much less than the boys, and if we have to gain weight, we might as well turn it into muscle."
Yumiko slapped her own face in embarrassment. But it wasn't like she denied it.
"True," Shizuka said. "At your age, there's almost an 800-calorie gap between boys and girls. But this gap shrunk in just three days. That's because our metabolism is accelerated in response to the virus."
"Kawasaki also noticed how our body is getting stronger. In contrast, the appetite among the boys hasn't really increased much, right?" Shizuka pointed. "It's because they're refining their optimized body, but it's a chance for us to start narrowing the gap."
"Now, lie on the damn mattress, knee folded! Hip thrust upward, fifteen times a set!" Shizuka ordered as she showed an example. "Four sets! Slow but steady!"
The three teens looked embarrassed, but they persevered.
After that, they did standing exercises, prone, sideways leaning, leg folding, side stepping, and squats.
Each of them were the same. Fifteen times a set, four sets per exercise.
"Alright. Breakfast now!" Shizuka pointed to the sky. "After breakfast, we'll have a combat 101 while you digest your food. Then we get into practicals."
True to how the girls realized it. Everyone ate. A lot. Even that thin-ass girl Yukinoshita Yukino. She's as tall as Shizuka but probably somewhere ten kilograms lighter. If she eats like this, that's not going to stay long.
"...Do you like cat food that much?" Yumiko winced. "Just because it's about cats?"
"Other than needing more salt and spice, it is fine," Yukino calmly said as she spooned the tuna from the can after she sprinkled salt and pepper. "Can't exactly whine about branding when you risk malnutrition."
"Look, canned food is fine. But if we start eating dry kibbles, I'd sew a straight jacket for myself." Hina smiled with a scary face, clearly not enjoying it as much as Yukino did.
Yumiko stuck her tongue in disgust. "I'm sorry."
Indeed, because they're still recovering, they have the luxury of eating cat food. Most didn't like it, but they had to bear with it. At least they can eat rice and vegetables to go with them.
At least Komachi promised that by lunch, they would eat cooked meat. And yes, even a cat meal can be cooked and seasoned into a palatable dish. This would be the last time they eat straight out of the can!
"How's the training?" Hayato asked. "Anything feels lacking?"
"We barely began. But thankfully, Sensei will help." Yumiko told him.
"I wish we could join. But the weapons aren't going to build themselves. We had to finish it before noon." Tobe said. "Hayato is more skillful than I am in creating things. I'm mostly there to help him get familiar with the power tools."
"Take your time. Burnout is not good for anyone." Shizuka said. "You can join the explanation class and skip the practicals."
"Let us do just that."
...
"I think by this point, everyone understands the attributes of zombies. They have poor eyesight, poor hearing, and their coordination are asses. However, they're a little slower than living humans, have infinite stamina, and have strong pain tolerance. That is if they feel pain at all."
"Grievous injuries that would stop any humans can't stop them. Only significant neck and head injuries permanently send them to the grave. However, that doesn't mean that you can ignore their limbs."
"A zombie with a broken arm is a zombie that can't claw or punch you. A zombie with broken legs is limping and can't leap to jump on you. Just because they don't feel pain doesn't mean they're indestructible. If you can't target their head or neck, slam their elbows, hips or knees."
"However, for now, we had to talk with the most dangerous type of zombie yet: a fit adult male. This type of zombie gives me trouble, and Hayama probably understood this the most." Shizuka explained. "The combination of their body mass and strength means they could easily tackle most of you to the ground."
"This is where you had to forget about blocking. You only have two options: to dodge their tackle or bash their face aside." Shizuka slammed the explanation board. "Unless you mastered knee strikes like Tobe or Kawasaki, you can forget trying to block them."
"Always make sure you have solid footing on the ground. Have your feet spread slightly, your center of gravity lowered, and your arms ready to take action. As you realize, this is the most basic martial arts stance. You will use this a lot."
Since all the Second-year students already have elective classes, they are familiar with the basics of Judo or Kendo. Either way, they did not start from scratch. Shizuka only needs to iron out the flaws.
"So this is why Sensei trains us in squats and side-stepping." Hina realized.
"I think I realized my mistakes now," Hayato mumbled. "I need to stop thinking about wrestling the zombies, no matter how strong I am."
"Right." Shizuka nodded. "Hayama took a lot of zombies on his first fight, but he got hurt a lot because he only thought about taking them down. Be more concerned with your own body and surroundings."
"I get it, Sensei!" Hayato nodded.
"And thirdly... no matter how strong, skilled, or calculating you are, you're bound to be hurt." Shizuka's face turned grave as she removed her favorite lab coat and revealed her bruised and bandaged arms. "Never flinch, never panic. When you get bitten, find any way to save yourself by hitting them as fast and hard as possible."
"There's no place for tears on the battlefield." Shizuka sighed. "You can cry or whine after you finish. You can do anything after you survive the ordeal. But we're a small community, so there will be times when everyone has to fight. That's something even Hikigaya's little sister realizes."
"Alright. No more doom and gloom. We're going to practicals now!" Shizuka pulled a ball out of nowhere. "We're playing dodgeball!"
"Eh?" The teens blinked.
Much to their surprise, the training was trickier than they thought. When Shizuka said dodgeball, she was simulating zombie tackle. They couldn't afford to catch the ball.
The training was so intense the teens ended up bruised and tired by the end of the session.
"Do a cooldown stretching, hydrate with a sports drink, take some painkiller, and then we're ready for some real zombie action." Shizuka punches her palm. "Chop-chop!"
"Wha? We're going to fight for real?!" Saika gawked.
"Sensei!" Hayato was so shocked he stood up in protest.
"I don't tolerate sheep behavior. No bravado and no dragging others down. Either you're ready, or you're not. Make a decision for yourself, not other people in your group. This is individual training." Shizuka told them.
"I'm going." Yumiko stood up. "I'm tired of waiting."
"Me too." Saika also stood up. "Even Hachiman and Komachi-chan are fighting. I could not stand still."
"I just want to protect myself." Hina also stood up.
"Then I'll also-" Hayato was about to force his way in, but Tobe stopped him. "Tobe!"
"You and I know more than anyone else," Tobe told him. "Sensei won't send them into an unwinnable fight as a training. And she will watch over them."
Hayato clenched his teeth.
"Hayato," Yumiko told him. "Please be careful, and don't hurt yourself working."
"Yeah." Hayato weakly nodded. "Come back safely."
Unexpectedly, Yukino stood up and put her scabbard on.
With a lengthened handle covered in paracord, the big knife can now rightfully be mistaken as a broad saber.
"...And where are you going, Yukinoshita?"
"I'm just going to watch, Sensei." Yukino smiled brightly. "I won't interfere, but you don't need to protect me, either."
Shizuka honestly doubts that.
"Stick around. I'll spank you if you cause trouble with your weak body." Shizuka said. "Let's go."
The group walked beside the road toward their original camp... no, they did not stop there. Instead, they continued walking by the roadside until they reached the abandoned ski resort.
"By my calculation, there are ten to twelve zombies here," Shizuka said. "Half of them are elderly, but the other half is uncertain. Either way, remember your lesson. If you freeze, you will die."
Shizuka remembered the car position, which hadn't changed at all. She kicked the high-risk car to make sure the alarm was triggered. A faint scream and growls filled the air, followed by glass breaking. Terror crept into the spine of the teens, but they followed their lesson and readier their stance, weapons in hand.
"Spread a bit, and pay attention to my lead." Shizuka walked forward and then swung her fist in a picture-perfect cross-punch. Though she did not have an armored glove, the working gloves gave her much-needed protection against abrasion.
And her fist met the fastest zombie's face, stopping its charge in mid-air. The impact threw both the zombie and Shizuka backward.
"That hurts, but not as much as it could." Shizuka grinned as she landed on her feet. She swung her fist left and right to deflect the charge of two other zombies, making them stumble.
She wasn't supposed to join. But she wanted to show the teens the best way to deal with zombie tackle.
For this reason, she avoided fatal hits.
"Your turn!" Shizuka retreated, leaving the flabbergasted teens to tighten their grip on their weapons.
As soon as one zombie recovered and was about to leap again, Yumiko's crowbar smashed its teeth and broke its jaw. It wasn't a fatal hit, but fewer teeth and a weakened jaw means less dangerous bites.
Saika dodged his first opponent and smacked it on the knee, causing the zombie to stumble. However, Saika didn't commit enough, and the zombie shrugged off a partially broken bone.
When the zombie leaped at Saika, he used his hammer's handle to prevent bites and shoved it away.
Hina failed to defeat her first opponent, and both fell. By sheer coincidence, though, the sharp tip of her weapon stabbed through the zombie's chest, momentarily stunned it.
She used the lever principle to push it aside and then pulled her weapon, only to stab through the throat and push down with her entire body weight.
Hina's weapon is called a gold lever. English speakers called it a hop bar or spud bar. It was a solid iron bar with a pointed tip on one end and a chisel on the other, used for ground and woodworking.
Saika delivered three hits to the zombie, mangled the skull, and took it down. The framing hammer is an efficient bludgeoning weapon, but it requires accuracy that Saika did not have yet.
In contrast, Yumiko effectively used her crowbar and took her second opponent with less effort than they needed to take one.
"Good work on your first fray," Shizuka said as she held a zombie in a chokehold. The living dead flailed helplessly, without fear, yet unable to muster resistance. "Who's up to take this one?"
Yukino calmly stepped as she pulled her knife from the sheath. The curved cleaver-like blade was no longer awkward with the lengthened handle.
"Are you sure?"
"I have to test whether the knife is reliable. If not, I will have to reprofile it." Yukino said. "Please, Sensei."
Shizuka had doubts but decided to release and push the zombie in her direction. Saika was aghast while Yumiko and Hina covered their mouth. They were afraid that Yukino pushed her boundaries too hard.
Only for a zombie head to fly, with the body sliding on the ground, lifeless.
This crazy girl. Shizuka thought. Even she felt frightened.
"Ah." Yukino inspected the blade as she wiped the blood with a rag. "Only sharp enough to defeat one zombie. It really needs to be quenched and tempered."
"Are you insane?! A single stroke to cut their neck, and you're unsatisfied?!" Yumiko screamed.
"As far as I know, fighting just a zombie is a luxury." Yukino eerily smiled. "Is that not right, Sensei."
"True. But with your skill, you might just kill a zombie with a plastic knife." Shizuka snarked. "Don't get too humble and get on everyone's nerves."
Joke aside, even Shizuka would not be confident taking on Yukino unarmed. No, even if Shizuka had a weapon, she would gamble her life facing this tall and slim princess.
"Well, hate to admit, but you might be the strongest among us," Yumiko told Yukino, clearly annoyed. "But don't push yourself too hard. Your body is still recovering."
"Thank you for the concern, Miura-san."
The second wave of the zombies was lackluster. Most were aged, and if anything, this made the teens feel emotional damage.
Kougen Chibamura Ski Resort - Infestation cleaned up
"Let's sort their body and pray for them," Shizuka ordered. "Let us never forget that they were not born monsters. They were human and deserve a dignified death."
Everyone prayed toward the rows of dead bodies put beside the road.
"Does anyone get bit or scratched? We need to use antiseptic to clean our wounds. If not, take another painkiller before or after dinner."
"Just a few drops of iodine is good." Saika scratched his chin.
Thankfully, other than a few bruises and scrapes, the teens did not suffer any wounds.
Yukinoshita Yukino
HP: 120
Stamina: 60 -> 40/60
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 3/6
Wits: 6/8 (+75% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 8/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Advanced Skill:
Butcher: 2/8 (20% Chances of decapacitation, +15% blade damage)
Traits:
Snarky (+20% reputation gain, full debuff at -3 Morale)
Elusive (+20% reputation gain, -20% influence gain, +25% Dodge, -1 Noise)
Frail body (+20% damage from attack, limit Cardio advancement to 6)
Miura Yumiko
HP: 130 -> 120/130
Stamina: 120 -> 90/120
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 6/8
Wits: 2/8 (+25% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 4/8 -> 5/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Traits:
Queen Bee (+25% reputation gain, increase the effect of morale-based buff and debuff in party)
Spoiled (Suffer a heavier debuff from the poor base condition)
Ebina Hina
HP: 120 -> 110/120
Stamina: 100 -> 70/100
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 5/8
Wits: 6/8 (+75% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 2/8 -> 3/8
Shooting: ?/8
Quirk Skill: Sewing 1
Makes clothes more durable. Reduce damage from enemy attacks by 10%.
"Craft more suitable clothing for trying times, tailored to the person and situation."
Traits:
???
Totsuka Saika
HP: 130 -> 120/130
Stamina: 120 -> 90/120
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 6/8
Wits: 4/8 (+50% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 2/8 -> 3/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Traits:
Friendly (+20% reputation gain, +20% influence gain)
Naive (No advanced Wits, no full debuff from negative Morale)
HP: 120
Stamina: 60 -> 40/60
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 3/6
Wits: 6/8 (+75% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 8/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Advanced Skill:
Butcher: 2/8 (20% Chances of decapacitation, +15% blade damage)
Traits:
Snarky (+20% reputation gain, full debuff at -3 Morale)
Elusive (+20% reputation gain, -20% influence gain, +25% Dodge, -1 Noise)
Frail body (+20% damage from attack, limit Cardio advancement to 6)
Miura Yumiko
HP: 130 -> 120/130
Stamina: 120 -> 90/120
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 6/8
Wits: 2/8 (+25% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 4/8 -> 5/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Traits:
Queen Bee (+25% reputation gain, increase the effect of morale-based buff and debuff in party)
Spoiled (Suffer a heavier debuff from the poor base condition)
Ebina Hina
HP: 120 -> 110/120
Stamina: 100 -> 70/100
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 5/8
Wits: 6/8 (+75% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 2/8 -> 3/8
Shooting: ?/8
Quirk Skill: Sewing 1
Makes clothes more durable. Reduce damage from enemy attacks by 10%.
"Craft more suitable clothing for trying times, tailored to the person and situation."
Traits:
???
Totsuka Saika
HP: 130 -> 120/130
Stamina: 120 -> 90/120
Reputation: 0
Basic Skill:
Cardio: 6/8
Wits: 4/8 (+50% Loot Speed)
Fighting: 2/8 -> 3/8
Shooting: ?/8
No 5th skill yet
Traits:
Friendly (+20% reputation gain, +20% influence gain)
Naive (No advanced Wits, no full debuff from negative Morale)
The police group came with Dr. Masako to check everyone for the final time. Yukinoshita Yukino was cleared as healthy, although her body still hadn't fully adjusted.
"Do not stop taking antibiotics yet." Dr. Masako told everyone. "God knows no one else had the luxury."
"Right."
"Sensei!" Tobe waved his hand. "The transaction is done!"
"Coming!" Shizuka bowed at Dr. Masako and approached Tobe and the police. "So, what did you get in exchange for the weapons?"
"Information." Tobe winked.
"Good job." Shizuka pointed a thumb.
"We planned to increase shelter defense and hauling materials from the nearest lumberyard and factory this morning. If you're lucky, you might find some leftover materials there."
"Hmm, materials would be useful, but...what about zombies?"
"Significantly thinned out for now, but we don't know how tomorrow would be. Zombies formed hordes and started moving in large groups. It is a huge concern for us." The police sighed. "I am glad that Hayama-kun and Tobe-kun are being helpful."
Tobe and Hayato crafted various weapons for the police, including a longer steel pipe with foam filler, a shorter baton and tonfa with resin filler for weight, and even a mace with nuts and bolts for the head.
That is a lot of blunt force!
"I think I'm more confident now," Hayato said. "It'll take a lot of practice and study to make anything complex, but if it's a simple item, I could make them."
"As for Sensei, we could only find this." The police gave Shizuka a set of semi-worn black gloves. "We found this in a lost and found locker, and no one had been claiming it. We figure you could use this."
Okay, now that is an epic gift. While these old-school gloves don't have armor, they are still comfortable and somewhat protective. An improvement over simple work gloves.
"Thank you, officer. I will treasure this." Shizuka slightly bowed.
"As for boots, we could not help with that. But if you want a better shoe, here's the address of the local shoe manufacturer."
Honestly, some of the girls are running around with sandals. Any shoe would be an improvement!
"Also, we found this in a resort somewhere. Left behind by a tourist. Our citizens are afraid to use this, and Dr. Shimada said we might as well give it to you."
"Oh, Advil?" Shizuka grinned. "You are too generous, officer. Thank you, as well, doctor."
It is strange for Japanese doctors to be so lenient with pain medication, even if it is OTC. Based entirely on Shizuka's experience, doctors are so stingy about them. Plus, the concept of "Gaman" - a Buddhist philosophy of enduring the unbearable which therefore discourages the use of painkillers in general.
"If you have significant injuries or illness, contact me again." Dr. Masako said. "I am not handing out the stronger stuff without you needing one."
Well, that was expected.
"We might ask for help sometimes in the future. And if you need help, feel free to come to us." The police group friendlily bowed before they left with their car.
"Getting on the good side with local authorities is advantageous." Shizuka made an OK sign on the teens. "Just make sure to consider the risks.
CHAPTER 5 END
DAY 3 - TURN 2
"Good job, Taishi." Saki congratulated her hard-working little brother. "And Hikigaya's little sister, too."
Komachi saluted. "Thank Taishi-kun for his Boy Scout training."
"We're lucky the farm nearby is harvesting time. We can prolong their life as long as there's enough water." Taishi explained. "Replanting is an issue, but I don't think we can afford to worry about that."
Unlike in survival games, farming is about the most tedious and unrewarding job one can do to survive. That's why they respect real farmers even more.
"Do we really need the materials? What if you get into a dangerous fight like yesterday?" Yumiko questioned.
"I was thinking about that, too, but chances are tomorrow it will be more dangerous to go there," Hayato argued. "At least, if we go today, some of the zombies are cleaned by the shelter volunteers."
"Hmm. Can't say I see holes in that argument. I'm still worried, though." Yumiko said.
"We're still afraid to go out alone that far. If Sensei disagrees, then we're not doing it." Tobe shrugged. "Stealing a truck is one thing. Taking it into a road full of zombies by myself? No way."
"I'm out," Hachiman said. "I'm just going to help make tomato juice because I hate sliced tomatoes."
"Preserving vegetables as smoothies might seem silly, but it is the best way to keep them edible for a long time in the fridges." Saki nodded. "It's fresh to 14 days and edible up to 28 days. Just in case we don't have fresh veggies in upcoming weeks."
"Komachi will cook the minced meat. It won't be as delicious. But it can last for months when preserved." Komachi said.
"So that's why you insist on getting literal buckets of preservatives." Shizuka nodded. "Alright. Sounds like a good plan."
"We'll scout the area nearby to see if they're safe," Hina said. "Since the police said the hordes could move unpredictably, at least we had to gauge how close they are."
"Careful, Hina," Yumiko told her. "Don't try to fight when you can avoid it."
"I'll join you, Ebina-san." Saika said.
"I'll also be there," Zaimokuza said. "I'll be the shield that protects everyone."
"Right."
Shizuka had to decide what to do now.
[ ] Cooking action - Make energy bars
Take it easy for today. Make energy bars to replenish stamina mid-journey.
[ ] Steal a truck and loot the factory (Easy)
Depart and steal the material while the zone is still relatively clean. This will change the schedule board to fit the best party requirement.
[ ] Write in
Last edited:
