Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo's mind wandered as he and Sachiko continued their walk through the area surrounding their base. The approaching winter lingered in his thoughts, bringing new concerns about survival—not just for him and Sachiko but for the army of zombies that now guarded their home.

He glanced at the Striders that followed him closely. Fast, agile, and dangerous, they were his most valuable asset in keeping their base secure. Though zombies didn't feel pain or cold the way humans did, Ryo didn't want to take any chances.

**Could the extreme cold slow them down?** He remembered the previous winter and how the zombies had survived, but the idea of protecting them further intrigued him.

As the wind brushed past his face, he thought about how the Striders would fare once the bitter cold hit. They wouldn't die, of course. He knew that much. But losing their speed or agility, even temporarily, could leave gaps in his defenses, and he couldn't afford that.

"Maybe I should make them wear jackets," Ryo muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibility. The idea sounded almost absurd, but it wasn't without merit.

**If clothing helped preserve human body heat, it could prevent the Striders from freezing up and slowing down.** They had survived the first winter, but now he had the luxury of thinking ahead, planning for every contingency.

He turned his gaze to Sachiko, who was quietly observing him, her phone still in hand, occasionally recording bits of video footage. She was still getting used to her new role—documenting the strange reality they now lived in, but Ryo could see the fear in her eyes was slowly being replaced by a cautious curiosity.

"I'll need to start scavenging for more than just food and supplies," Ryo said, half to himself, half to Sachiko. "We'll need jackets, not just for us but for the zombies. They survived the last winter, but I want them ready—stronger."

Sachiko tilted her head, surprised at his words. "You think clothing will help them?" she asked softly.

Ryo shrugged. "It might. We won't know until we try. I won't lose a valuable army to the cold."

Sachiko nodded thoughtfully. It wasn't the strangest thing she'd heard from Ryo, and deep down, she knew he was right. The zombies were their strongest line of defense. If the cold could even slightly affect them, they had to be prepared.

As they continued walking, Ryo's mind raced with ideas. There were plenty of abandoned stores in the town—jackets, coats, scarves. He could stockpile enough to ensure his zombie army remained unaffected by the freezing temperatures.

He smirked to himself. **Who would've thought I'd be clothing zombies for winter?** But then again, in this world, anything was possible, and Ryo always stayed two steps ahead.

Ryo glanced at Sachiko, who stood quietly beside him, a gentle smile on her face. "You want to come with me into town? We can walk there," he asked casually, his tone more relaxed than usual. It felt almost like an invitation to a date, though the world around them had long forgotten what a date truly meant.

Sachiko's eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Of course, I'll come," she replied softly, her smile growing wider. Despite the chaos of the world they lived in, these moments with Ryo felt oddly special to her. There was a sense of comfort in his presence, even with the danger that constantly surrounded them.

Ryo slung his MP5 over his shoulder, the weapon a necessary precaution more for any potential human threats than zombies. He handed a smaller gun to Sachiko, one that fit comfortably in her grip. "Here, just in case," he said, knowing she wouldn't need it for zombies but preferring that she stay prepared for anything else.

He then commanded a few of the Striders to follow them, their dark, greyish forms standing silently in the background. Though zombies wouldn't attack Ryo or Sachiko, Ryo was always wary of the government. He knew they were still out there, searching for him, and he wouldn't let his guard down.

As they set off toward the town, Sayako, as usual, followed closely behind, her eerie presence constant at Ryo's side. The town came into view, filled with its usual, unsettling sight: hordes of zombies roaming aimlessly, their movements slow and methodical. Striders, Brutes, and other types wandered about, their pale grey skin unblemished, healed over time from Ryo's influence.

Sachiko glanced around at the endless swarm of zombies. The sheer number of them was overwhelming, and as she observed them, the reality of their situation became clearer. **This was why no other survivors dared to venture out, why the shops and stores remained untouched.** The zombies were everywhere, far too dangerous and fast for anyone without Ryo's unique abilities to risk scavenging.

"I can see why no one else even tries," Sachiko murmured, her voice barely audible as she recorded the scene with her phone, documenting the eerie stillness of the zombie-filled streets.

Ryo gave a small nod, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "They won't touch us, but to everyone else… this is death," he said, his voice calm but resolute. With the Striders by his side and Sayako at his back, Ryo led Sachiko into the heart of the town, knowing that whatever they needed, they could take without fear.

Yet, the thought of the government loomed over him, ever-present. He'd have to stay alert, keep moving, and make sure no one discovered his plans.

For Ryo, zombies were no longer a threat—they were his allies, loyal and obedient to his every command. The thought of them attacking him was absurd; they didn't even dare touch him. Ryo moved among them with a casual air, as though the creatures that once terrorized humanity were now nothing more than a part of his surroundings.

He walked through the streets with calm confidence, his pace unhurried. Zombies staggered past him, their dark eyes flickering toward him with instinctual recognition of his dominance, but none approached. Ryo had long grown used to this, the eerie calm of walking among the undead like they were nothing more than background noise.

His steps were sure, his demeanor unfazed, as if the apocalypse around him was just another day. The Striders shadowed him, following his every move, while Sayako stayed close, her eyes vacant yet ever-watchful.

To anyone else, this scene would have been a nightmare, but to Ryo, it was his reality—one he had learned to command. The zombies belonged to him, bound to his will, and as long as he was alive, they would remain loyal.

Sachiko followed closely behind Ryo, her eyes darting nervously around as she observed the unsettling sight of the zombies parting for him. It was as if an invisible force surrounded him, compelling the undead to step aside, clearing a path wherever he went. She had seen it many times before, but the sheer power Ryo held over these creatures never ceased to amaze her.

To her, Ryo seemed like a king among them—a leader the zombies instinctively followed without question or hesitation. The way they moved, how their eyes flickered with recognition, it was as if they understood Ryo's dominance in a way no human could. **Even the Striders, with their heightened speed and aggression, lowered their heads slightly when Ryo passed.**

Sachiko's heart raced, but it wasn't fear—at least, not entirely. It was awe. The man beside her, the one who held her so possessively, was a force of nature in this new world. She knew no one else could ever control these creatures like he did, and that made her feel both safe and a little scared at the same time.

She clutched the gun Ryo had given her a little tighter, glancing around the town. The streets were filled with zombies, yet none dared to attack or even come close to them. It was like walking through a crowd of obedient, silent sentinels, all bound by the presence of the man she now followed so willingly.

Ryo glanced at Sachiko, his voice steady as he said, "We'll need more charcoal for the winter. It's going to be colder than before, and we need to be ready." He thought ahead, knowing they had to secure enough fuel, supplies, and anything else that could help them survive through the harsh season.

Sachiko smiled softly and nodded, appreciating how much Ryo was planning ahead. This life, despite being surrounded by zombies and uncertainty, felt better to her than the constant stress and danger when she was a researcher in the last government stronghold. Here, with Ryo by her side, things felt more controlled, safer.

She glanced at the shops surrounding them, untouched and full of resources. "At least scavenging is easy here," she murmured to herself. The fact that no other survivors dared to come near due to the zombies meant the stores were fully stocked. They could take their time collecting supplies, using trolleys or even carrying things by hand. It was an odd comfort in this strange new world.

For Sachiko, this quiet life with Ryo, despite the unusual circumstances, was far more peaceful than she had ever imagined.