The Quest for Solar Power ( R )

With his preparations finished, Ryo stepped into the empty streets, pulling his hood low to hide his face. The air smelled of decay, and the world around him was eerily quiet—except for the shuffling of the undead.

His heart raced as he saw the large group of zombies ahead. Dozens of them, their empty eyes searching for movement, their bodies twitching with unnatural hunger.

But Ryo breathed out slowly, calming himself. They wouldn't attack him. They never did.

Moving carefully, he walked through the crowd, the zombies barely noticing him. It was strange—walking among the dead, unseen, untouchable.

Still, he didn't let his guard down. Immune or not, the world was still dangerous.

And he had no plans to get careless.

Ryo's goal was clear—a warehouse on the edge of town, said to have a stash of solar panels. If he could get them, his safe place would be one step closer to true independence.

Moving through the quiet, empty streets, he stayed alert. The world had fallen into silence, broken only by the occasional groan of the undead. Shadows stretched across broken buildings, and flickering neon signs hung lifeless, reminders of a world that no longer existed.

Despite the constant danger, Ryo kept going, his steps steady and determined. The zombies around him moved aimlessly, their empty eyes not noticing him. They didn't attack him. They never did.

Still, he stayed careful.

When Ryo reached the warehouse, he faced little resistance. Zombies stood near the entrance, swaying mindlessly, their low groans mixing with the eerie silence of the abandoned building.

Damn, these zombies are in the way.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he pushed a few aside. They stumbled back without fighting, their empty eyes looking past him as if he were invisible.

Slipping inside, Ryo's sharp eyes scanned the dim space. Dust covered the floor, and scattered debris hinted at past struggles—maybe looters who hadn't been as lucky as him. Tall metal shelves filled the warehouse, their contents mostly gone. But further back, hidden behind crates and old machines, he saw them.

Solar panels. Neatly stacked, still in good condition. And next to them, a large solar battery—industrial-grade.

Damn, this thing's huge... how am I supposed to get it all the way back to the penthouse?

His eyes scanned the room, looking for a solution—then landed on a trolley, partly buried under boxes. The metal frame was rusty in places, but the wheels looked strong. He pulled it free, testing it. It creaked but rolled smoothly.

Perfect.

With a small smile, Ryo got to work.

yo loaded the solar battery—made for homes uses, carefully securing it. He then stacked the solar panels next to it, making sure they wouldn't move during the trip.

Well, the power's still on for now. This should be enough for the first setup.

Grabbing the trolley's handle, he gave it a firm push, testing the weight. It was heavy but manageable. With steady hands, he guided it through the dim warehouse and out into the empty streets.

The trolley's wheels rattled softly on the cracked pavement, the sound unsettling in the quiet. But as he moved forward, a rare thought crossed his mind.

This is nice...

For once, he wasn't just scavenging to survive—he was building something.

As he got closer to his building, he saw a familiar sight—a large group of zombies. They stood ahead, moving slowly and aimlessly, blocking the way.

But just like before, they didn't react to him. Their empty black eyes looked past him without noticing, their hunger gone when he was near.

Ryo breathed out, feeling both relieved and cautious. He moved forward, weaving through the crowd with his cargo.

He was almost there.

And he wouldn't stop until his mission was done.

Ryo reached the front door, breathing hard as he stopped the trolley. His arms hurt from the effort, but he wasn't finished yet.

One by one, he carried the equipment upstairs—first the solar battery, then the panels. The weight was exhausting, forcing him to take short breaks between each trip.

Huff... huff... well... no rush anyway.

Once everything was finally outside his penthouse, he leaned against the wall, catching his breath. His muscles burned, but seeing all the supplies gave him a quiet sense of satisfaction.

After a short rest, Ryo pulled out the manual and got to work.

Carefully, he set up the solar panels on the rooftop, positioning them to catch the most sunlight. He double-checked each connection, making sure the wiring was properly linked to the solar battery.

Damn, this is harder than I thought... Good thing I've got some experience from my old part-time job.

The process was slow and careful, requiring precise adjustments and attention to detail. But as he tightened the last bolt and saw the panels shining in the fading sunlight, a rare feeling of accomplishment washed over him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ryo stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow. The solar panels, now firmly in place, gleamed under the fading light—silent proof of his determination.

A rare sense of satisfaction filled him.

Not bad… this should keep things running for a while.

With the solar battery bank connected and ready to store power, he had taken a crucial step toward securing his survival. No longer fully dependent on a fragile, crumbling infrastructure, he now had a self-sustaining energy source.

One less thing to worry about.

The world had changed, and so had he. It wasn't just about scavenging anymore—it was about rebuilding, piece by piece.

And this?

This was only the beginning.

( End of Chapter )