Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the windows of his penthouse. The world outside was still, save for the occasional shuffle of zombies moving through the streets below. He stretched, feeling the familiar stiffness in his muscles from the previous day's activities.

With a sigh, he made his way to the bathroom, the cool water from the shower providing a refreshing start to his day.

After dressing in fresh clothes, Ryo headed to the kitchen, where he began preparing breakfast. He decided on a hearty meal of rice, canned beef, and instant noodles for soup. As the food cooked, the comforting aromas filled the room, offering a brief respite from the harshness of his reality. Ryo brewed a jug of coffee, its rich smell adding another layer of familiarity to his morning routine.

Sitting at the table, Ryo watched as zombies moved languidly around his home. Their presence was a constant reminder of the new world order he had adapted to. Despite their usefulness, he couldn't shake the sense of loneliness that accompanied his solitary existence.

As he ate, the silence of the penthouse was occasionally broken by the soft shuffle of the undead, their greyish forms an ever-present reminder of the world outside.

The warm meal provided some comfort, but Ryo's mind wandered to thoughts of companionship. He longed for someone to share his life with, a female presence to break the monotony of his isolated existence. However, the risks of introducing another human into his life were too great. If he were to find someone without immunity, the zombies he relied on for protection would become a liability.

He knew that without the zombies around his house, the government would have a far easier time capturing him. The government's relentless pursuit of him was driven by their desire to exploit his unique immunity for their own ends. Introducing someone who didn't share his immunity would only increase the danger, potentially leading to a situation where he could be easily compromised.

As he finished his meal and sipped his coffee, Ryo weighed the pros and cons of seeking out a companion. The idea of having someone to talk to and share his burdens with was tempting, but the risks were far too high. The government's relentless efforts to capture him and the ever-present danger of zombies made any new relationships fraught with peril.

With his breakfast complete and his mind still mulling over his situation, Ryo cleaned up the kitchen. He took a moment to appreciate the small victories of his daily life—his well-stocked supplies, the functioning solar panels, and the protective zombie perimeter. Despite the isolation, these routines provided a sense of order and control in a world that had long since spiraled out of control.

After finishing his breakfast, Ryo began his daily routine of checking his supplies. He made his way to the storage area, a carefully organized section of his penthouse where he kept his stockpile of food and essentials. The room was filled with neatly stacked bags, cans, and jars—each item a crucial part of his survival strategy.

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He started with the bags of rice, a staple in his diet. Ryo had accumulated a significant amount, enough to last him for several months if rationed properly. The grains were stored in large, airtight bags, keeping them fresh and free from pests. He inspected each bag, making sure they were intact and free from any signs of spoilage. The reassuring weight of the rice bags gave him a sense of security.

Next, he turned his attention to the instant noodles. He had a variety of flavors, neatly stacked and organized. The familiar packaging brought a sense of comfort in the monotony of his existence. He checked the expiration dates and ensured there were no signs of damage to the packaging. The instant noodles were a quick and easy meal, essential for days when he needed something simple.

Ryo then moved on to the canned goods. His collection was diverse, including beef, chicken, pork, cuttlefish, and various other options. Each can was inspected for dents or bulges, which could indicate spoilage. He methodically checked each label, ensuring that all cans were within their expiration dates and that the contents were still safe to consume.

The variety of canned foods provided essential protein and nutrients, crucial for maintaining his strength and health.

His next stop was the dried foods. Ryo had an assortment of mushrooms, anchovies, prawns, dried vegetables, noodles, flour, sugar, honey, evaporated milk, coffee beans, and more. He reviewed each item carefully, checking for signs of moisture or pests. The dried mushrooms and vegetables would add variety and nutrition to his meals, while the anchovies and prawns provided additional protein.

Flour and sugar were essential for cooking and baking, while honey and evaporated milk were luxuries that added a touch of normalcy to his otherwise bleak existence.

The coffee beans were a small but significant comfort. Ryo took a moment to appreciate the rich aroma as he opened the container. Coffee was one of the few pleasures he allowed himself, a rare indulgence that helped him cope with the harshness of his world. He made a mental note to grind the beans soon, ensuring he had fresh coffee to enjoy in the coming days.

As he finished checking the dried foods, Ryo felt a sense of satisfaction. His supplies were well-stocked and in good condition, a testament to his careful planning and resourcefulness. The inventory check had reaffirmed his preparedness for the challenges ahead.

Ryo took a moment to reflect on his situation. The supplies were essential for his survival, but the loneliness and isolation remained a persistent burden. The idea of companionship lingered in his thoughts, but the risks of introducing someone without immunity were too great.

For now, he would continue to focus on his survival, maintaining his defenses and ensuring his safety in a world that had become increasingly hostile.

With the inventory check complete, Ryo turned his attention to his next task. There were always more preparations to be made, more supplies to gather, and more strategies to develop. The world outside remained a dangerous place, but Ryo was determined to stay ahead of the threats and continue his fight for survival.

With the inventory check completed and his supplies in good order, Ryo turned his attention to another important task: evaluating his fuel stock. He made his way to the storage area where he kept several large containers of fuel. The gallons of fuel were neatly arranged, ready for use whenever needed.

He unscrewed the cap of one container and took a deep breath, savoring the faint, familiar scent of gasoline. The fuel was a critical resource, not only for his scooter but also for any potential vehicles he might find or use in the future. The sight of the well-stocked fuel containers brought a rare smile to Ryo's face—a small but genuine expression of satisfaction.

Ryo knew that in a world where resources were scarce and danger was ever-present, being well-prepared was crucial. His ample fuel supply meant he could venture out farther, explore new areas, and perhaps even find a new, more suitable place to live. The idea of relocating had been on his mind for some time, and now that his resources were secure, he felt more confident about the possibility.

He mentally reviewed his options. Moving to a smaller house with better storage and access to rainwater could improve his quality of life and sustainability. Finding a place with a more secure perimeter and better defenses could also offer additional safety from both zombies and potential human threats.

However, any new location would need to accommodate his unique situation—keeping zombies inside and outside the house for protection.

Ryo's ability to command zombies was a significant advantage, and he relied on them to secure his current home. He knew that any new location would need a similar setup to ensure his safety. Zombies had become both his shield and his deterrent against other survivors and government forces.

As Ryo considered his next steps, he felt a surge of determination. The fuel stock, along with his carefully managed supplies, was a testament to his preparation and foresight. He had built a life in the midst of chaos, and now he was ready to take the next step in securing his future.

His scouting trips would need to focus on finding a location where he could establish a similar system of zombie protection.

He spent the rest of the morning making detailed notes and mapping out potential routes for his scouting trips. He reviewed his checklist of must-have features for a new house: a secure perimeter, reliable access to water, ample storage space, and a location that minimized risks from both zombies and human threats.

Most importantly, he needed to ensure that the new location could support his requirement for both internal and external zombie security.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over his penthouse as he completed his planning. Ryo felt a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Despite the challenges and dangers that lay ahead, he was prepared. His careful planning and resourcefulness had put him in a strong position, and he was ready to face whatever came next.

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over his penthouse as he completed his planning. Ryo felt a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Despite the challenges and dangers that lay ahead, he was prepared. His careful planning and resourcefulness had put him in a strong position, and he was ready to face whatever came next.

As Ryo settled back into his routine, his gaze fell upon the pendant he had picked up earlier. The small piece of jewelry lay on the table, its delicate chain and the picture inside catching the light. He had found it on the ground after a Strider zombie had dropped it. Curiosity piqued, he picked it up and examined it closely.

Inside the pendant was a photo of a young woman, her smile radiant and full of life. Ryo's fingers traced the edge of the pendant as he wondered who she was and why the Strider zombie had been carrying it. The pendant seemed out of place among the desolate, zombie-filled world he now inhabited.

It was a stark reminder of the lives that had been lost and the personal connections that had been severed by the chaos.

Ryo's thoughts wandered to the possibility that this woman might have been someone important to the Strider zombie, perhaps a loved one or a family member. It was a strange and unsettling thought, one that reminded him of the humanity that had been lost amidst the horror.

He set the pendant down and returned to his tasks, but the image of the woman lingered in his mind. It was a small, poignant reminder of the world before the outbreak, a world filled with memories and connections that had been shattered. Ryo knew that the pendant, while seemingly insignificant, represented a piece of the past that had been swallowed by the present.

As he continued his preparations, Ryo couldn't shake the feeling that the pendant was a symbol of something more. It was a sign that even in the midst of survival and solitude, the echoes of the past still resonated. The woman's image, preserved in the pendant, was a reminder that there had once been a world where people cared for one another, a world that now seemed like a distant dream.

With the pendant safely stored away, Ryo focused on his plans to find a new house. The need for a better location, one that could offer more security and resources, was becoming increasingly clear. He knew that moving would be risky, but it was a necessary step to ensure his continued survival.