Scavenging for Survival ( R )

The morning sun cast a soft light over the empty city as Ryo stepped onto the rooftop, stretching his arms. A gentle breeze blew through the quiet streets below, carrying the distant groans of the undead.

"Today, I'm going to stock up on food. While the power's still on, there should be plenty of frozen meat left. Something edible, at least."

His voice barely broke the silence, but his determination was strong.

With his Glock at his side and a sturdy backpack over his shoulder, Ryo took a deep breath and set off. Even though he was immune, a small rush of adrenaline ran through him—a natural reaction to the constant danger of this new world.

The streets were eerily quiet, except for the occasional shuffle of the undead. A faint breeze carried the smell of decay, a grim reminder of the world that once was.

Ryo looked around, noticing the large number of zombies wandering aimlessly today.

"Huh… there's more than usual. Oh well, not like they're a problem for me."

Unbothered, he adjusted his grip on his backpack strap and kept moving.

Caution was second nature now—his senses stayed sharp, watching for any sign of real danger. Every trip outside carried risks, but hunger was a bigger enemy than the undead.

And if survival meant walking straight through a horde?

So be it.

When Ryo arrived at the nearest store, he quickly searched the shelves for supplies. The once-busy aisles were now dusty and abandoned.

"Alright, first things first. Gotta grab whatever fits in the bag."

Moving quickly, he grabbed cans of food, packets of dried mushrooms, and preserved snacks like dried cuttlefish, stuffing them into his backpack. His hands moved fast, years of instinct taking over—there was no telling when a trip like this would become impossible.

"Oh? This is good."

His eyes landed on a travel bag—a large, sling-over-the-shoulder type people usually used for clothes. Without hesitation, he unzipped it and started loading more supplies inside.

"The more, the better."

Then, something else caught his eye—a rechargeable flashlight tucked between some fallen shelves.

"Now this… this is important. Could be useful when the power finally goes out."

Satisfied, he added it to his haul.

With his backpack full and two heavy bags over his shoulders, Ryo started the journey home. The weight pressed down on him, a clear reminder of the struggle to survive. But with each step, a sense of satisfaction grew.

One more day secured.

One step closer to survival.

As Ryo walked through the streets filled with zombies, his thoughts turned to transportation.

"A scooter would make things so much easier."

The idea had been in the back of his mind for a while. A quiet, quick vehicle—perfect for moving through the empty city. It would let him cover more ground, gather supplies faster, and reduce the risk of being out in the open too long.

"No need to rush, though. Not like there's school or work waiting for me anymore."

A small smile crossed his face at the thought. Time didn't matter in this world. There were no schedules, no deadlines—only survival.

But now that he had decided, finding a scooter was next on his list. It wouldn't be easy. Roads were blocked, abandoned cars filled the streets, and zombies were everywhere. But Ryo wasn't worried.

"I'll find one. One way or another."

The thought of riding through the city, avoiding danger with ease, gave him a new sense of purpose. In a world swallowed by darkness, even the smallest bit of convenience felt like a win.

As Ryo reached his rooftop sanctuary, a wave of relief washed over him. He had made it back safely, his supplies untouched.

"Damn, that was tiring… but at least I've got more food now."

His muscles ached, and he felt exhausted, but he kept going. Survival didn't allow for laziness. He started unpacking his haul, carefully sorting through the supplies.

"Canned food here… dried food over there…"

He arranged everything neatly, making sure it would be easy to access in the days ahead. Every item had its place—efficiency was key. With each organized stack, a small sense of satisfaction grew. This was his world now, and he was making it livable, one step at a time.

"Haaa… finally done. Now, time for a shower."

After washing off the dirt and sweat of the day, the warm water helped ease his tiredness. Ryo stepped out feeling refreshed. Dressed in clean clothes, he stretched his arms and let out a satisfied sigh.

Settling in for the night, he allowed himself a rare moment of peace. Even with the constant dangers outside, he had managed to gather enough food and supplies to last him for a while.

"This is better…"

It was a small victory, but in a world where survival was never certain, even the smallest wins were worth celebrating.

( End of Chapter )