North Camp. A place where there were about two hundred survivors who took a fortified residential area as a base. It is one of the five largest camps in the town that Tanaka lives in.

"So this is North Camp,"

Tanaka who had arrived in front of the closed gate which was part of the camp muttered. There were two guards that came out of the post. They were on top of the wall and carrying hunting rifles.

"Who are you? Show your identity!"

One of the guards asked Tanaka. The man who did not really understand the meaning of 'identity' took out an identity card from his wallet. Tanaka got out of the truck.

"Do you mean this?"

The identity card is shown up facing the guards. However, it was clear that they would not be able to see it clearly.

The two guards looked at each other. They seemed to be speaking in sign language that Tanaka couldn't understand.

"Wait a moment!"

Said one of the other guards. The two of them then entered the post.

The camp gates were still closed. Tanaka waited outside.

On the right and left there is a kind of thick wire fence. The fence is two meters high with a barrier wire above it.

"Are the zombies going to climb? They'd rather push this fence!"

Tanaka commented on how safe the North Camp is. However, thanks to what was in front of him, Tanaka had an idea.

"But I can use something like this!"

Tanaka thought of using the movable fence to block around streets or narrow spaces. That way, the boarding area will be safe from zombies. So, the first fortress that zombies must pass through is not a boarding house wall.

The two guards came out. One of them went downstairs and opened the gate.

Tanaka didn't really understand what was happening. However, he was sure that it meant that Tanaka's truck was allowed in.

"You're not on any list. We'll check what's in your truck!"

One of the guards closed the gate and the other one told Tanaka. The man who owns the truck just agreed since it was a normal procedure as it used to be.

"By the way I brought four other people in this box-truck!"

Tanaka informed the two guards who asked for the truck keys. With a slightly sighing face, one of the guards then went towards the back of the truck to open.

"... The four of you, come out!"

The four students came down from the stuffy place. One of the guards looked at Tanaka as if to ask 'how could you put children in this place'.

"... Well, this is the only vehicle I have!"

Tanaka informed the guard. The guard then searched one by one the people who had just arrived at the checkpoint.

"You guys are safe. What's your business coming here?"

One of the guards took off his helmet while asking. It could be seen that he was a man with quite long hair.

"I'd like to try to sell some of my stuff here. I have boxes of food and a few other things I can trade for ammo. I wish they were sold here!"

"About ammunition we have quite a lot in stock. We also have a party in charge of things like this. You can go to the right of the road there... when you see a place that has the name 'Yuru Store', that's the place you're looking for!"

The guard explained while pointing towards the inside of the camp.

"And as for these kids... they hitch a ride in my truck because they wanted to join your camp. They said,"

Tanaka pushed the four students closer to the guard. The two men in charge nodded.

"Alright. However, our camp has three castes. First is the refugee caste. If you don't have any useful abilities, you will be placed in this caste. Second is the resident caste. If you have abilities, you can be in this status. Ordinary soldiers also belong to this caste. The last one is the high-ranking caste. There are only a few people in this camp who have this status including the shopkeepers you'll meet..."

"... Tanaka!"

"Yes, the one you will meet, Tanaka-san!"

The short-haired guard explained. Tanaka felt a little strange since these two camp guards were too kind for even wanting to explain things in such detail.

"How do we get that residency status?"

Yamada asked. He nevertheless knew that resident status was more favorable than refugee status.

"You need to be tested. Incidentally, we also still need personnel. If any of you are good at fighting, it's best to give it a try!"

"Okay, let's just take them to the test site!"

One of the guards opened the door. The four students were led to the test site.

Tanaka is now silent watching them leave. The man who owned the truck did nothing and looked at the guard.

"What? Don't you want to go sell your stuff? The directions are there if you don't remember..."

The guard pointed in the direction Tanaka had remembered.

"No, my truck keys still haven't been returned!"

Tanaka very casually reminded. The guard then handed back the key he had asked for.

The truck departed and now arrived in front of a building that had a 'Yuru Store' sign on it. The building was as described by the guard earlier.

"Hello!"

Tanaka tries to get inside the building that looks like a smaller version of a convenience store.

"Yes, douzo!"

An old man with a thin mustache greeted. The man was playing some kind of box.

"Do you need anything?"

The man asked. Tanaka, who was now in front of the cashier, pointed at the truck.

"I want to sell some boxes of food. Do you accept these items?"

Tanaka explained. The old man somewhat reacted when he heard the word 'food'.

"Obviously, would be very welcome. Are you from outside the camp?"

"Yup, I'm from a small camp in the area after the bridge!"

Tanaka explained. He knew that there was a classification of camps based on the number of members. It was clear that the camp that Tanaka headed was a small one.

"Ahhh, I know some people there... Well, maybe they're already zombies anyway... So, how much are you going to sell?"

The old man responded. He who obviously already has a lot of age gets flashbacks of his experiences with several people he knows across. However, considering that this was the time of the apocalypse, he tried to ignore it.

"Ah, about six boxes of noodles and some other food that's almost expired. My camp is too small to be able to finish it so I'll just distribute it to the bigger camp!"

Tanaka explained. The old man whose name Tanaka didn't know only nodded as a sign that he understood.

"Hmmm. That's a huge amount for a small camp. Alright, let me check first!"

Replied the old man who also did not know the name of the man in front of him. The man named Tanaka.

They both went to the box truck. The old man checked the box containing the cup noodles one by one. He counts the quantity and determines the quality.

When he was done, the old man picked up two boxes to take into the shop. Tanaka helped.

"Well, this really helps. However, let me explain first. Since the current value of the yen is completely useless, we're using the unit of value for staple foods here. Each staple food will be worth the equivalent of one pistol bullet. Two staples for three liters of fuel. Five staples for a set of medicines. And for other items, you can ask me!"

The old man explained. The economies of most of the world are already collapsing. The price of an item is now determined from the camp regulations or from the merchants themselves. Profit or loss is determined in negotiations.

After all, what Tanaka was looking for was not profit from trading. He was also not someone who cared enough about the loss of insignificant items. All he cared about right now is ammunition for the strength of his camp.

"Convert everything to nine millimeters (9mm)!"

Tanaka called out. He needed bullets for the gun Yuki was using. Which gun must have 9mm ammo.

"Hah... I think you're a gun maniac. Alright, you have a total of these two hundred bullets!"

The old man replied with equal enthusiasm. Four ammunition boxes are placed on the counter. Four boxes, each containing fifty bullets.

Tanaka took the given item to put into the bag. The old man looked at the leather sack that Tanaka was carrying. He wondered what it contained.

"By the way, did this camp receive some kind of order for weapons or something?"

Tanaka asked as he lifted the heavy-looking sack.

"You mean firearms? We actually sell those items, but they are limited to members only. So you have to join first!"

The old man who is one of the executives at the camp is trying to hook up potential person. After all, it was true that in order to buy firearms from the North Camp, one had to join the camp first.

However, that wasn't what Tanaka was looking for.

"No, I mean a weapon like a katana or something!"

Tanaka who wasn't looking for a firearm tried to straighten out. He thought about a weapon that would allow him to kill multiple zombies in one hit.

It's a katana. Tanaka's favorite weapon since he was little.

"If that's what you mean, we have a blacksmith who sells melee weapons. He's a bit of a temper, so I suggest not meeting him in person. If you want to order something, just tell me!"

Said the old shopkeeper proudly.

"That's good if that's the case. By the way, can the metal from the zombie's body be exchanged here?"

The sack is lifted. Tanaka asked while showing the thing he was carrying. The old shopkeeper understood the meaning of Tanaka's actions earlier.

"...It's quite a rare item. I don't really know much about such things. If I'm not mistaken, a few days ago there was an announcement that mutant metal was priced at around four boxes of assault weapons (assault) for one box. Well, that's the dealings with the goverment though,"

the old man explained. He told Tanaka information he still didn't know.

The Japanese government is in crisis. This is not the only country experiencing this. All countries experience it.

The lack of quality weapons and combat vehicles in many areas makes this country unable to evacuate its citizens optimally. Many areas were completely abandoned because of their powerlessness to face the apocalypse.

From a brief research conducted by several scientists, metals from several types of mutants can be a very strong steel material. In addition to having almost diamond-like hardness, they are also quite light and easy to mix.

Therefore, the production of combat vehicles is prioritized to use this new material. It takes a stronger force to resist the massive invasion of the mutants and zombies.

"When it comes to melee weapons, you've probably come to the right person. Follow me!"

The old man added. He took Tanaka out of the shop and headed to another place.

Hot place. That was what Tanaka immediately felt at a glance.

The dominant odor with the smell of iron and metal. The smell of steam and smells quite pungent.

The noise which is the result of the sound of many working machines. The sound of the work of the people in it.

A place which looks like a conventional factory. There are about nine people doing their respective jobs.

Someone saw the two people coming. He is an old man who was almost similar to the old man who was walking with Tanaka. He carried a hammer that was often used by blacksmiths.

"...Oi oi oi, Hako! Why did you bring this stranger!"

The old blacksmith somewhat snapped at the old man who was beside Tanaka.

Tanaka now knows the old man's name, Hako. However, Tanaka knew that the name was not a real name but a nickname. Tanaka concluded because he saw the shape of the old shopkeeper's head which was a bit square.

Unlike the old blacksmith who was more triangular in shape.

"Calm down old man. I brought him here because he probably has something that you're looking for!"

Hako explained. He looked very familiar with the old blacksmith.

"Damn it, you're an old man yourself... What is that thing I'm looking for?"

The old blacksmith pointed his hammer at Hako. Even though it looked dangerous, Tanaka could tell that it was just a move that represented the person's expression. The old man didn't mean to hurt anyone.

"Hey senile, yesterday you said you wanted to get more mutant metal didn't you? This guy has that thing!"

Hako answered. This made the old blacksmith seem to remember something. This can be seen from his left hand suddenly scratching his head.

"...Ahh, I remember. But that was a long time ago you bastard!"

Replied the old blacksmith whose name Tanaka still didn't know. Tanaka himself was currently relaxing while holding the mass in his right hand.

A mass that was still within range of the load that Tanaka could lift.

"Yeah, but you still want it don't you?"

Hako gave an expression like an ignorant fool. Tanaka, who was like a stranger, is just silently watching the interaction between the two old men.

"Ughhh... all right. You go back to your place, you old man!"

Said the old blacksmith followed by Hako who left. He left Tanaka alone in that hot place. Alone in the sense of Tanaka who doesn't know anyone around.

Tanaka turned around and faced the old blacksmith.

"So what kind of thing do you want to exchange?"

He asked.

"Actually I want to order a weapon,"

In the pause of Tanaka's sentence, the old man cut in after hearing the word 'weapon'.

"Aghh, I don't accept such things. If you're looking for weapons you just have to choose what's available... There, I have a lot of swords and other weapons for sale!"

The blacksmith quickly refused. Several people who were working glanced at it for a moment after hearing the old man's loud words. They returned to their respective jobs shortly after.

"Wait, I thought you were a blacksmith!"

Tanaka responded. He who only had information from the old man named Hako only knew that he could order weapons here. However, what the old blacksmith said itself contradicted what Hako said.

"That's just how I was... Back then. Until it happened,"

the old man answered curtly. He just hiding in his silence.

Tanaka who didn't quite understand finally gave up. He couldn't force his ego on others.

"Well, then forget it. I brought-"

"No, forget what I said earlier. What weapon do you want to order and what material do you want to use?"

Tanaka's words were cut off by the old man who suddenly continued. Tanaka who was already used to this habit of interrupting the conversation could only show a slightly sour face.

"... Well, I wanted a katana this long... The material I brought was... this!"

Tanaka said as he tried to show the metal he was carrying.

"Wait, this metal is..."

The old blacksmith seemed to notice something from the metal which was still attached to that kind of flesh. He touched and slightly scratched the metal with his fingernail.

"This is Mutant Tank metal... or so that what I know,"

Tanaka explained while taking out a few more pieces.

"Oi oi oi, are you hunting that monster?"

A dangerous question arises. Tanaka who didn't want to reveal the identity of his power is now trying to trick him.

"No, I just happened to find it around the street there. Just luck, haha,"

Tanaka lied.

"Okay, I can accept your request. But... The cost won't be cheap!"

The old man gestured with his thumb rubbing against his index finger. A gesture that Tanaka interpreted as 'price'.

"I brought more for the fee!"

Tanaka releases more of the mutant metal. The old man could only look and see things that were quite valuable to him.

However, this creates a new opening for Tanaka.

"Oi, just how much did the monster drop body parts?"

"About two sacks... so can you do it?"

Tanaka answered him somewhat confusedly. He shifted the topic as much as possible so that there is no arouse of suspicion in the old man's mind.

The old man looked like he was deep in thought. He tried to estimate the things he needed to tell Tanaka.

"Give me two weeks. I'll finish your weapon!"

The old man told.

"Alright, then we agree!"

The two shook hands in agreement to the cooperation.

......

...

After the business related to the weapons order was finished, Tanaka went out of the hot room for a breath of fresh air.

"Hmm... it's a bit cloudy!"

Tanaka who was facing up and down saw quite gray clouds coloring the sky. The atmosphere in Tanaka's point of view was similar to a cloudy atmosphere.

Or that's really the truth are.

Soon Tanaka went into the truck to return to his house, boarding house.

The truck came slowly. Tanaka was about to make the vehicle turn around at the T-junction that led to the gate.

That is if no obstruction occurs.

When the truck was almost at a T-junction in the road, suddenly four people appeared blocking the lane. The four of them wield quite dangerous weapons. Katana and other melee weapons.

One of them approached the front of the truck.

"Hey, give me the food you brought!"

The red-brown haired man who had just approached said the thing that was the hallmark of a slacker. Tanaka, who had often faced people like this in the past, couldn't help but sigh. He gets out of the truck.

"I thought this camp didn't accept criminals!"

Tanaka tried to give an indirect mockery. However, only one of them reacted to that sentence.

"Hey, you think you can intimidate me with that weapon! I have one too!"

The man closest to Tanaka tried to intimidate. However, Tanaka knew that the bluff was just bullshit. It is seen by how unstructured the person directs the conversation.

"As for food, I don't have anything. I've already given it all to the shop!"

Tanaka tried to explain. He spoke the truth, but it still wouldn't be easy for scumbags to believe.

"Don't lie. How could a fool do such a thing. Quick, search him!"

Tanaka opened his box-truck and the three of them checked. It's just an empty space.

"Damn, he really didn't spare any food!"

Said the man in the big box.

"...But, he has valuables inside, right!"

The man who had been by Tanaka's side walked towards the driver's seat. He's trying to rob something else.

Tanaka who couldn't let them go so easily then grabbed the man's shoulder. Feeling intimidated, the bullies pulled out their weapons.

"Hahaha, we're going to see someone's corpse today!"

"There's no need to rush. We'll torture him slowly first!"

"Shut up and hit him quickly!"

The four scoundrels immediately advanced to surround Tanaka who did not prepare his weapons at all. However, Tanaka knew that he did not need such a dangerous item to deal with this minor problem.

...

"Are you guys done?"

Tanaka taunted as he stepped on the hand of one of the bullies who was still tightly clutching his katana.

"Ahhhh!"

The magpie let out his manly scream quite loudly. That made the guards react and immediately went in the direction the voice came from. To Tanaka's place in short.

"Hey, what happened!"

One of the guards asked while running. The distance between Tanaka's position and the guard was close enough.

"I don't want you to misunderstand, but they're trying to rob me!"

Tanaka who didn't want to cause big trouble in the other camps tried to explain. Tanaka himself is a bit disappointed with the morality of the residents in it who still practice such practices as bullying.

"Damn you useless people. Orbe, tie them up. We apologize for the inconvenience!"

Tanaka, who thought he would get into trouble, actually heard a sentence he shouldn't have heard. Tanaka was not the culprit in this incident.

Tanaka nodded in response to the guard's apology.

Even so, there was one thing that made Tanaka curious. It was the thing that slackers wanted to rob. They look for food more than weapons or other objects.

"However, what really happened? Why are these people so eager to rob food?"

"Actually, we're having a food crisis. In order to prevent overspending on food, the food supply is prioritized to the population section so that the refugees don't get any food at all. We're still trying to find areas around that still have food until you finally come with the supplies we're in desperate needed!"

The guard explained while walking side by side with Tanaka who was driving. He tells of an important crisis in his camp.

Tanaka himself felt a bit strange since the two guards gave such detailed information. He thought of them as negligent or maybe because that's normal.

"Ah, I see... then I'll continue!"

Tanaka who was already preparing to rush out of the gate spoke.

"Ah, about that I think you should bring someone back, sir!"

However, Tanaka pull the step on the gas pedal and switched to the brake pedal. The guard told him news that sounded very important.

"What do you mean?"

"One of the guys you brought is ineligible. We were about to get her out of the camp, but she keeps insisting on see you!"

Tanaka asked and obviously the guard. Tanaka tried to guess who was not accepted.

'Ahhh, maybe the girl with the strange package. Well, just count her as an addition to my group!'

Tanaka guessed the biggest possibility of the person that not being accepted. He waited in front of the closed gate.

The door of the building to the right of Tanaka opened. It gave rise to a figure that Tanaka recognized.

The figure that carried by the guard.

"Wait a minute... Why is it you?"

She wasn't the girl with the strange package or the other two men. She is Haruka, or what Tanaka knows as a fierce girl.

The atmosphere became somewhat static and the overcast sky continued to blacken.