Chapter 31

We got into the car around 9:00 in the morning.

The food procurement team had all woken up by the time the sun rose, but we waited for the right moment to depart when the number of zombies outside was minimal or their positions were favorable.

There were several special vehicles in the garage, and it seemed that the disaster response vehicles, which had a high ground clearance and overall height, were mainly used when going outside.

This time, we were using two of those vehicles. The male police officers, including me and Mr. Oda, got into them and communicated with the city hall and police station using walkie-talkies.

After confirming from the upper floor that there were no zombies in front of the garage, the male police officers and male evacuees quietly raised the shutter a little. They peeked from below to reconfirm that there were no zombies nearby, then quickly and quietly opened the shutter.

Almost simultaneously, we started the engines and dashed out of the garage. Without hesitation, we ran over the zombies that were approaching the garage and drove onto the road. When I looked back, the shutter was already closed.

It was a well-practiced move.

As I marveled at this, Mr. Oda, who was driving, said:

"Leaving is like this. The problem is coming back."

Indeed, when leaving, even if there were a few zombies in front of the garage, we could just run them over, which would minimize the danger to the people opening and closing the shutter. While running over zombies with a car wouldn't necessarily kill them, if we could close the shutter while they were down, it wouldn't be a problem.

On the other hand, when returning, we would have to close the shutter after the car entered, and if we weren't careful, we might end up pushing the zombies into the garage with the car. Additionally, while we could choose not to leave if the situation was bad when we set out, the sound of the car on the way back would attract zombies, and if we failed to enter the garage, it could turn into a disaster.

Mr. Oda slowly drove the car, running over the zombies on the road with a grimace as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.

We followed the pre-determined route and stopped at a convenience store on a national road.

The glass at the entrance was broken, and the store was in disarray with shelves knocked over. The surroundings had a good view, and there were many zombies not far away.

"Two minutes, hurry up!"

At Mr. Oda's command over the radio, the police officers, except for the driver, got out of the car and the truck bed. They were equipped with riot gear and carried guns, but they also held axes and hooks.

The guns were only for backup, and the weapon configuration suggested that they would face the zombies two-on-one rather than one-on-one.

It seemed like a good choice for dealing with zombies.

If they saw prey, they would just keep moving straight ahead. By restraining them from a distance and then striking their heads with axes, it would be much safer to take them down with two people holding axes in a two-on-one situation.

Incidentally, I initially refused the protective gear, saying it was unnecessary and would hinder movement, but Mr. Oda insisted, so I put on a Kevlar cover and minimal protective gear. I was told I could keep this equipment.

Even though I was equipped, I said I would go outside, but Mr. Oda strongly advised me to stay and watch, so I waited in the car, keeping watch with him.

The zombies were still at a distance.

Then, a sound echoed from inside the convenience store.

"...One was in the back room, but it has been eliminated. No injuries."

I sighed in relief at the voice from the walkie-talkie. I had known there was one inside the building from my perception, but there was no good way to convey this, so I could only tell them to be careful. I was relieved that they had successfully eliminated it.

After about a minute, the police officers who had secured the safety of the store came out with shopping carts filled with cardboard boxes and goods. They made two trips and distributed the items between the two vehicles, and everyone got back in before the surrounding zombies could reach them.

A single zombie wouldn't be a problem.

Mr. Oda's command and the efficiency of the others were impressive.

"Next, let's go."

With that, Mr. Oda drove the car forward again.