Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 176 The hard truth

Yumi's brow furrowed as she leaned forward, her voice a whisper of awe and unease. "But Sachiko… Ryo's power, it's different. My prototypes wouldn't stand a chance against his zombies. He can control wild ones effortlessly. How does he do it?"Sachiko paused, regarding Yumi with a quiet smile. "Honestly, I don't know," she admitted, shrugging. "And to be fair, I don't really care how he does it. Ryo's strength—whatever the source—is why we're safe. That's all that matters."

Yumi's gaze lingered on Sachiko, surprised. Sachiko noticed and chuckled, placing a comforting hand on her arm. "I was a re

Yumi's cheeks flushed a deep red as she stammered, feeling both embarrassed and slightly overwhelmed by Sachiko's bluntness. There was something both reassuring and intimidating in how Sachiko spoke of Ryo with such confidence.

Sachiko stood up, stretching her arms and glancing at Yumi with a casual smile. "Well, it's time to get some exercise. Staying inside all day would make my body go stiff."

Before Yumi could respond, Sachiko was already heading for the door, her posture relaxed as if she didn't have a single concern about the zombies outside. Yumi blinked, shocked by how confidently Sachiko stepped out, as if the threat of zombies was the last thing on her mind.

Gathering her nerves, Yumi slowly followed Sachiko outside. Her eyes scanned the surrounding area, catching sight of her own prototype zombies loitering nearby. As she stepped closer, she raised her voice, calling out, "Are you guy…okay?"

The prototype zombies turned at her voice, their blank expressions softening slightly in response. They didn't look aggressive or hostile toward her, and Yumi felt a wave of relief, mixed with wonder. These were creations she once viewed as distant, experimental subjects, but here they were—obedient and seemingly at ease, like loyal shadows awaiting her command.

Yumi's gaze shifted to the handgun strapped securely at Sachiko's side. She raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why do you carry that? I thought the zombies wouldn't attack us."

Sachiko's lips curled into a smirk as she gave Yumi a sidelong glance. "Oh, this gun?" She patted the gun lightly. "It's not for the zombies. It's for humans. Just in case they decide to attack or get too curious."

She shrugged, her expression growing serious. "There are some out there who'd do anything for power, supplies, or revenge. Ryo may control the zombies, but he's not always around to deal with the living. And people can be more dangerous than any zombie."

Yumi fell silent, absorbing the weight of Sachiko's words. She had seen glimpses of humanity's desperation before but hearing it laid out so plainly added a new layer to her understanding of this new world.

Yumi glanced around, her eyes darting over the nearby zombies shuffling aimlessly outside the house. She turned to Sachiko, her voice low and hesitant. "Where is Ryo? Shouldn't he be nearby? What if the zombies decide to attack us without him around?"

Yumi's cheeks flushed as Sachiko laughed, her tone light yet laced with meaning. "You're worried the zombies might attack if Ryo isn't here? Don't be," Sachiko said, amusement glinting in her eyes. "Those zombies aren't as mindless as you think. They know who belongs to Ryo."

Yumi looked away, feeling her face grow warmer. Sachiko leaned in, her voice dropping to a knowing whisper. "That's why he… marked us the way he did. By claiming us, he's telling them—without a doubt—that we're his."

A chill ran down Yumi's spine, mingling with her curiosity. Everything about Ryo's world, from his control over the zombies to the way he possessed those close to him, was complex and layered, unlike anything she'd ever known.

Sachiko's expression turned serious as she looked at Yumi, a hint of warning in her eyes. "If you hadn't let Ryo claim you last night," she said quietly, "today would be a different story. The moment you stepped outside, every zombie around here would sense it, and they wouldn't hesitate. They'd tear you apart in an instant."

Yumi's face went pale, and she looked down, processing the weight of Sachiko's words. The reality of her place here had settled in: her survival wasn't just due to her own decisions but entirely tied to Ryo's power and the way he had marked her as his.

"You're marked as his," Sachiko continued, her eyes holding a mix of understanding and sympathy. "Your survival is tied to his strength and the zombies' fear of him. Without his claim, you'd be nothing more than a tasty snack for those creatures."

Yumi's eyes widened, taking in the full extent of what Sachiko was saying. She had always felt a sense of dependence on Ryo, but this brought a new level of clarity to their dynamic. Her life, her very existence, was dependent on Ryo's power and the respect he commanded from the zombies.