Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 143 - 143: A Walk Among the Horde

They had just finished breakfast when Ryo, with a firm hand, insisted Sachiko join him outside. Though she knew the zombies wouldn't harm her as long as Ryo was present, commanding them, a flicker of fear still lingered in her mind. The sight of so many zombies always made her uneasy, but Ryo's presence gave her strength.

Sachiko reluctantly grabbed her phone, notebook, and pen, knowing Ryo wanted her to take notes. She followed him outside, with Sayako, as always, trailing closely behind Ryo like a silent guardian.

The morning air was cool and crisp, and Sachiko stretched her body, feeling her muscles loosen up as they stepped outside the base. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the mass of zombies gathered around. The sheer number of them seemed to have grown, with more and more appearing each day. It was a chilling sight, yet none of them made any move toward her.

She scanned the area and noticed the familiar figures of Brutes, their hulking forms standing like silent sentinels near the perimeter. The Striders, lean and agile, were scattered around, always on the move, keeping a constant watch over the area. The zombies, as usual, were fully intact with their greyish skin and lifeless black eyes.

Their appearance, while eerie, lacked the rotting stench or decaying flesh typically associated with the undead. Instead, they looked healed, as if the virus had somehow preserved and even enhanced them.

Sachiko scribbled a few notes in her notebook as she observed the horde. She could sense the silent tension in the air, the unspoken power Ryo held over these creatures. The zombies were his army, and they obeyed him without question. Even so, the sight of so many of them made her heart race.

Sachiko, trying to distract herself from the unnerving presence of so many zombies, began to record a video on her smartphone. It had become her new hobby—capturing footage of the strange world they now lived in and making little commentaries to keep her mind sharp. After all, she had been a re

He looked at Sachiko walking beside him. Her body was still fragile despite her adapting to their new life. If the winter was harsh, keeping her safe and warm would be his priority, along with making sure the base stayed secure. His grip on her hand tightened slightly as he thought about it.

"We'll need to start gathering supplies for winter," Ryo said, his voice breaking the silence. "Fuel, jackets, blankets… whatever we can find."

Sachiko looked up at him, sensing the seriousness in his tone. She nodded quietly, trusting Ryo to lead the way as always. Together, they continued their walk, both of them knowing that the days ahead would bring new challenges.