Walker, Alone (1)
The experiment could be called a success. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gained a lot, too. But the research isn't over yet. Now, I have to conduct field research. Since Zombie 5 is still around, I need to build a system that will make future tasks easier based on it. First and foremost, I need lymph nodes and a way to carry them. To do that, I need more zombies. In the end, I have to use that single lymph node to capture other zombies. As many as possible, if I can.
I launch the drone. There is no reconnaissance as reliable as a drone. It’s on a different level than going outside and looking through binoculars. It’s much safer. But it has the disadvantage that it’s a problem if survivors see it. Where a drone arrives = a place with that much infrastructure. So, if they follow the drone back, they could discover the location of this place. That’s why I always circle the mountain behind the house whenever I launch or retrieve the drone. At least this way, they won’t be able to find the location of my main base immediately. Honestly, even this makes me a bit anxious. But I have no choice. I have no choice but to minimize the use of the drone. Or only use it at night.
The thermal imaging camera on the drone shows humans and zombies similarly. Zombies aren't dead. They are people who have been infected by neurodisruptive spores and are in an awakened state. So, strictly speaking, they aren't zombies. It’s more accurate to call them people who are still alive. However, their movements are different. Zombies stay still if there is no stimulation. It seems to be an instinct to minimize metabolism. Well, that’s the same for animals, so it wouldn't be strange. Besides, when zombies stay still, their chest area doesn't look red. I think that might be because their blood flow rate has slowed down. But it’s funny that even that is possible. Does it mean their heart beats slowly? Still, when the drone flies around, the zombies react to the sound and move. Then I can confirm them. So, I kept controlling the drone and looked around places with many zombies. But there aren't many such places. They are all just one or two. Is it because it’s the countryside? I think it’s because there are few people gathered. Still, after looking around for a while, I was able to find quite a few zombies. I mark all the places where the zombies are on the map like that. Those guys won’t move well if there is nothing around them, so they will be there at least until tomorrow, right? Thinking that, I finished the reconnaissance, went into my room, and slept soundly. I have to move a lot tomorrow, so I should get my body into perfect condition in advance.
Morning. I prepare to go outside. I check the combat vehicle and pack the necessary tools. And I approach Zombie 5 and pick up an axe. The zombie dies with a crunch. No, the infected human. I take the lymph node out of its neck like that. And I put it in a sealed case. I drive the car and go outside like that. The weather is nice. It’s full-blown autumn weather. I wonder what will happen to these zombies when winter comes. Will they all freeze to death? For now, I think their movements will definitely slow down. Thinking that, I go to the first point. There are four zombies here. And there are also two child-sized zombies there. What kind of story do they have? Who was infected first? I thought about that and immediately erased it. It’s none of my business. I just need lymph nodes.
The first point is a residential house. A country house that looks like it was drawn in a picture. The yard is quite large, and the house is also nice. Why did they come to a place like this? Did they have a romance about returning to farming? But the reality is bleak. The four who look like a family are standing blankly as zombies, and when they hear the sound of my car, they all look this way at once. I turn off the engine and get out of the car. Then the zombies come running. Hmm... can I express it as running? Walking fast? Well, about that much? It seems like it’s been quite a while since they were infected. It seems like their physical abilities have deteriorated a lot. So, there is no such thing as fear. I even have the leeway to look around. I saw a dog that was only bones in the corner over there. Two of them, too. Hmm. I see. You guys ate that. That’s why your mouths are dried up dark red like that. I opened the sealed case. And I picked up a lymph node. The zombies that were approaching slowly stop walking. Then they eventually stood in that spot and turned their gaze to look blankly at the empty air. When the wind blew, there was a metallic screeching sound from the house, and the zombies looked at that side once and then stopped again as they were. Idiots. I almost laughed. But I shouldn't laugh. Zombies don't laugh. A stainless steel tea strainer. Usually, this is for putting tea leaves in and dipping them in a pot to brew tea. I put the lymph node in there. And I wore it around my neck like a necklace. Roughly at neck height. If I do this, I am a zombie. Those guys won’t think of me as a human. However, I shouldn't let my guard down just because of that. Zombies aren't stupid. They shot guns. So, if I show movements different from zombies, they might pounce. I check that the zombies are ignoring me and try moving my body. I tried movements that zombies can’t do, but they still ignore me. They don’t even look this way at all. Is that so? Then what about this?
I opened the truck trunk. When the car swayed slightly and made a sound, the zombies looked this way. But then their gaze turns away again. That’s just a reaction to the sound. There is no will to attack. So, I take out my tools with peace of mind. The first thing I took out was a hiking rope. I want to spin it around like a cowboy and catch the zombies, but I don’t do that. I’m not an idiot. I went to the nearest zombie and wrapped the rope around it once. Even so, the zombie stays still. It looks like it has no interest in what is being done to it. I tied it tightly like that. And I wrapped it around a few more times and knocked the zombie down as it was. It made a sound like "Greeee," but the zombie was just helplessly tied up by me. It’s too easy. That it’s this easy. I picked up the tightly tied zombie and loaded it into the back of the truck. Even while doing that, the remaining zombies are still looking at the empty air. Just reacting to the bird sounds heard nearby and then turning their heads again? So, I tied up all the remaining zombies. In a short time, four zombies were created. So simply.
"Hehehe." Only then did I laugh. When I laughed like that, the zombies loaded in the truck all looked at me at once. "What? What are you going to do if you glare at me?" I try to bluff at the zombies who can’t understand. No, how can I hold this back? This much is unavoidable. I put the lymph node in the tea strainer back into the sealed case. After a while, the zombies shivered and looked at me and went crazy. But they are already tied up, and their mouths are blocked. So, all the zombies can do is meaningless gestures. I get on the car with a joyful heart. Ah. I have to disinfect the car thoroughly. My body must be covered with lymph node spores right now. So, I can’t take off the gas mask. Taking this off is after I finish disinfection at the main base. Of course, I have to collect more zombies before that. The effect of the lymph node is decreasing even now. If I put it in a sealed case, will the effect last a little longer? I’ll have to check that. If that works, I don’t need to catch this many zombies. It means I can take it out and use it anytime.
I went around and caught about ten zombies. To anyone else, it would be a very bizarre sight. A heavily modified truck carrying zombies full to the brim. Honestly, if they see this, most humans wouldn't be able to harbor other thoughts. You have to have some common sense to even try to attack. Who would say there is common sense after seeing this state? And there are no humans where there are zombies. As far as