How Zombies Survive in the Apocalypse

“One of the looters? Why?”

“I don’t know why. But that place was supposed to be a temporary base for the search party a year ago. Is there anyone else who knows that information other than the same search party?”

It wasn’t just a story of looters randomly settling there by luck. 

Upon this, Amara lowered her voice slightly from before and asked Aiden.

“Who else knows about this?”

“No one in this room except me. I haven’t informed Angelo either. It’s not something worth spreading.”

“…Wise choice.”

Amara displayed a bitter smile at Aiden’s appropriate decision. Soon, however, she wiped the expression off her face.

Her gaze turned somewhat icy, almost seeming to be coldly evaluating Aiden.

“Then, just leave this alone. You just rescued Angelo from the looters.”

Saying so, Amara swiftly took the mark from Aiden.

In response, Aiden asked her:

“Are you suggesting I keep quiet about this? Did I rescue Angelo by killing a Union member?”

“That’s also one reason.”

“But what if he really is from the search party? If it were me, I’d first confirm the body.”

Whether he was from the search party or not was, in fact, more critical for Amara than for Aiden. 

If he were from the search party, was he not a traitor stealing from the Union? 

In other words, even from the Union’s perspective, he was the type of person they couldn’t just let be. If such a person had died, it might even be a good judgment to announce it extensively within the Union as a warning to those traitors planning similar actions. 

However, to Aiden’s words, Amara shook her head.

“That could be true. But the situation is a bit complicated now. It’s not a good time to provoke the search party.”

“Why isn’t it a good time? What does that mean?”

Aiden’s question prompted Amara to sigh briefly and hesitate for a moment.

The reason was likely related to internal issues within the Union, Aiden guessed. 

Originally, it was a topic an outsider wouldn’t need to be concerned about. 

However, to Aiden, it was the information he had been most eagerly awaiting, so he urged Amara with his silence to continue speaking.

“As I mentioned before, there are three groups… no, factions within the Union.”

Aiden, unable to resist the urge, nodded quietly.

“That’s right, I remember.”

“Because of that, each faction appointed three representatives to lead the groups. The search party, the police, and the workers’ representatives. It wasn’t bad at first… but conflicts have been arising recently.”

Upon hearing the word ‘conflicts,’ Aiden’s eyes lit up quietly within his helmet. Arian, pretending not to care, also focused on Amara, appearing to be attentive. 

Only Sadie innocently looked at Amara.

In such a situation, Amara’s words continued.

“The first dissatisfaction arose from the search party. They, who are dedicated to external activities, felt they were exposed to too much risk compared to other factions.”

She explained the perspective of the search party. 

Those who searched for supplies outside the barricades and the city were always in combat with zombies or looters. Therefore, naturally, only the search party members were dying in the process. 

However, the Union had to share the supplies brought by the other factions, even though it didn’t sit well with them.

“It’s not an untrue statement. Thanks to them, ordinary workers hardly ever see zombies now. So, the Union gave them various privileges as a recognition of their sacrifices.”

“…”

“But as usual, there were people who weren’t satisfied. One of those dissatisfied people might be the betrayer in this incident.”

To relieve the accumulated dissatisfaction in a way that wasn’t normal, they tried to steal Union supplies and solve it that way. 

Aiden nodded in agreement with such a plausible conjecture.

“It’s possible.”

“But the problem doesn’t end there. As the Union began to recognize the privileges of the search party, their influence grew, and eventually, they started defying the orders of the police in charge of security.”

Amara explained, using a recent incident as an example. 

During the search operation by the search party, the police conducted body searches as per protocol. It was a reasonable measure to check if there were any signs of being bitten by zombies. 

However, some members of the search party opposed this action, questioning whether they were being treated like carriers. 

The situation escalated into violence, and despite the incident resulting in multiple deaths during the search party’s exploration, the Union did not punish anyone and concluded the case. At that time, they took into account the fact that many deaths occurred during the search party’s exploration.

“But since then, the police, as well as the workers, have been rebelling against their privileges. They say, ‘Are only those guys suffering? If so, let’s take turns doing external activities for all the factions.'”

“That sounds like a reasonable solution.”

“I also think so. However, interestingly, the search party opposed it. Giving up external activities means they have to give up the privileges they’ve enjoyed so far. They didn’t like that idea.”

Aiden nodded.

Eventually, although they were consolidated into one group, it was a structurally problematic situation that led to internal factionalism. It wouldn’t be resolved so easily. 

Aiden diagnosed it as such and waited for Amara’s next words.

“As a result, the Union’s internal situation is quite chaotic. But how can I bring up the topic of a traitor here?”

Having heard this much, Aiden now understood Amara’s perspective. 

If a Union police officer like her accused a search party member of being a traitor under these circumstances…

This could potentially add fuel to the power struggle between factions.

Amara, rather than witnessing such a scenario, just wanted to bury the incident.

“Alright. Regarding this matter, I’ll respect your opinion.”

Considering the Union’s situation, Aiden also judged it wise to go along with that.

Since he had already gained significant information about the Union’s internal affairs, it wasn’t a loss for him.

“Thank you for understanding.”

With that, as the conversation came to a close, Amara expressed her gratitude to Aiden.

Then, in a slightly lighter tone, she changed the subject.

“But… you seem to be very interested in our internal affairs. Is there a specific reason, or is it just curiosity?”

Amara, who had revealed the internal situation so smoothly, seemed to be trying to read Aiden’s thoughts.

As there was no need to hide the reason, Aiden honestly replied:

“We’re looking for a group to join. So, we are quite interested in the Union’s internal affairs.”

“Ah, I see. That makes sense.”

For wanderers exhausted from a long journey or junk dealers wanting to join a survivor group, it wasn’t such an unusual story.

Amara then smiled with a somewhat self-satisfied expression.

“I’ve talked about only the bad things. Well, isn’t every group bound to have conflicts?”

“Well, it’s not wrong. Which group doesn’t have conflicts?”

Aiden said it sincerely.

Even in the past when law and order existed, weren’t there many problems in society? Now, without proper rules, society was hastily formed, and these kinds of issues were somewhat inevitable.

“Then let me give you some good news. Just wait a moment.”

Amara left the room and soon returned.

She handed a small metal plate to Aiden and Arian, the symbol of the junk dealer.

However, it was slightly different from what Aiden’s group had.

Now, not only the number but also their names were engraved on it.

Aiden knew very well what the plate with their names meant.

“Congratulations. From now on, you are Grade B. Achieving Grade B in just a month is impressive. I’ve never seen anyone climb the ranks so quickly.”

Although Amara said this, a month was quite a long time for Aiden’s group. After leaving on their journey, they spent almost two weeks in Fort Wayne, where they stayed the longest. However, in this place, they had spent twice that time.

Of course, it was worth the time they invested.

Now, they could finally see the inside of the barrier that they hadn’t been able to step into.

“Thanks for accepting it.”

Aiden and Arian returned the old plates and received the new ones.

Then Amara spoke again.

“I’ll give you the reward for the request right away. Oh, and I’ll add the additional reward I mentioned.”

“What about the additional reward? Can we receive something else?”

“Something else? Do you have a specific material you want?”

Amara noticed from Aiden’s tone that he wasn’t expecting an ordinary reward but something more.

“We want to enter the barrier. We want to take Sadie there. Is that possible?”

Originally, only junk dealers with Grade B or higher could enter the barrier. Even if it was a child, accompanying someone wasn’t allowed. 

That’s why Aiden was making this request.

Amara quickly responded to this.

“If it’s a child, you need a guarantor. There were cases where junk dealers left their children inside the Union and went back outside. That’s when this rule was established.”

“…”

“But you should be fine. Alright, I’ll be your guarantor.”

“Thank you. And… if it’s okay, we’d like your guidance as well.”

Now that she seemed to understand Aiden’s intention, Amara nodded.

To her, who was a member of the police overseeing the Union’s administration, guiding them wasn’t a burden at all.

“That should be fine. I’ll be happy to help. When would be a good date for you to enter?”

She assured Aiden that they would take care of the necessary procedures, and so Aiden quickly responded.

“As soon as possible.”

* * *

The next day.

Arian and Sadie arrived at the Convention Center early in the morning.

Today, they were finally going to check the environment inside the Union’s stronghold.

Amara, who had agreed to guide them, arrived shortly afterward.

Noticing that one of the three members who always accompanied her was missing, she asked them.

“The other person… isn’t coming?”

“Yes. Today, only the two of us are going.”

Sadie replied to Amara.

Arian nodded, as if confirming what she said.

“I thought you would come together.”

Surprised, Amara remarked.

It was unexpected, considering that Aiden might directly join the Union and had been actively gathering information just yesterday.

But there was a clear reason why Aiden couldn’t go.

To enter the Union’s stronghold, one must remove the helmet and undergo a body search. It was a minimal measure to screen out potential zombie infections, but naturally, Aiden couldn’t expose his face.

However, sneaking in posed too much risk, so, for now, they decided to rely on Arian’s judgment.

“Let’s go then. The designated entry times for outsiders are 9 AM and 5 PM. Once you’re in, you can’t leave until then. I explained this yesterday; do you remember?”

“Yes!”

Sadie cheerfully replied, and Arian nodded as well.

“Then, come this way.”

Amara, Sadie, and Arian left the convention center and headed further north.

Soon, they reached a small bridge.

It was a bridge leading directly from the city to the Union’s stronghold, over the Red River’s tributary.

Arian checked the flow of the river there.

The waterway, protecting the Union from the south and west, wasn’t particularly deep.

Even if mutants or hundreds of zombies swarmed, it wouldn’t be impossible to cross.

But even that much could make this waterway an excellent natural barrier.

People on the other side wouldn’t just be idle.

Perhaps Aiden’s judgment that this place was safe was accurate.

While Arian was thinking about it, Sadie tugged on her sleeve.

“Look over there!”

What Sadie pointed to was the looming barrier that had come into view.

The height of the barrier was almost 10 meters.

It was a height that even most mutants, let alone Brutals, couldn’t easily jump over.

And now, the barrier’s gate was slowly opening.

Creak…

A slowly widening iron gate.

As the gate opened fully after a while, the view inside the Union was revealed.

“Why are they opening that gate?”

Arian asked while observing.

It wasn’t just to open the gate for a few outsiders.

“It seems like a search party is getting ready to depart.” 

Amara replied with a slightly lowered voice.

As she said, after the gate fully opened and a while later, Arian could feel the slight vibrations in the ground.

Simultaneously, numerous engine sounds and human footsteps reached their ears.

And what soon appeared was an armored vehicle.

“…”

Seeing the armored vehicle, Sadie felt a bit overwhelmed.

That military vehicle wasn’t associated with pleasant memories for her.

Arian put his hand on Sadie’s shoulder, comforting her.

Meanwhile, behind the gate, starting with the armored vehicle, modified dump trucks with metal plates and spikes came out.

Following them, dozens of ordinary vehicles rushed out.

It was a search party departing, reminiscent of a lively parade.

To some junk dealers nearby, the sight seemed quite majestic, and they were staring wide-eyed.

However, to Arian, it didn’t look particularly impressive or courageous.

Arian was already reading the emotions emanating from the search party.

What stood before them was fear, reluctance, and faint anger.

Added to that were the strong smells of gunpowder and dried, rotten blood.

Because of these scents, their departure resembled more a gloomy funeral procession than a glorious parade.

“Now, let’s go.”

As the search party passed, Amara continued to lead the group.

They headed towards a smaller side gate, not the large one that had just opened.

Already, a few junk dealers were lining up there, and Amara and her group joined behind them.

After a short wait.

“Alright, go through.”

Finally, Arian and Sadie, who had completed all the procedures, stepped inside the barrier.

What they saw then was the landscape of a reasonably well-constructed small city.