Chapter 201 - To Fort Yano (11)

<Author's note: The things (racism, s.e.xism, political views, etc.) depicted or mentioned in this story do not reflect the real world and are purely coincidences. If they do, please keep in mind that they are simply for world-building and are only work of fiction. Thank you for your understanding.>

Nathan and Zita were walking along the road of an alternate route to the military barracks, Fort Yano.

Fort Yano itself was located near the mountains outside of Nabe City and Kelurga City.

The road they were currently taking was away from the main road and they were in a neighborhood where it felt like a maze because there were too many intersecting roads -- some had asphalt, others were just cement and the rest was just plain dirt.

In addition to that, their sizes also differed -- some were two-ways, others one-way, and there were also ones that were hard to spot and only the residents could detect.

This type of road setup was common in brown-skinned Asian neighborhoods.

Fortunately, Nathan grew up in Muwin so he had no problem navigating his way through such roads.

And even if for some miracle he lost his way, he could always climb to the tallest building or tree to get a view of the neighborhood's layout.

Zita sniffed and said, "Mister, what's that sweet smell?"

Sniff.

Nathan sniffed as well.

He pointed at a nearby tree and said, "It came from that tree. Its flowers are called Muwinian Jasmines."

Zita turned to the tree that Nathan was pointing.

This time, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Inhale.

Exhale.

She opened her eyes and said, "They smell so good."

"Zita, heads up. Zombies."

Zita immediately turned to where Nathan was looking.

Up ahead in the middle of the road a dozen meters away, there was a group of zombies.

The group consists of a D1, two N-type zombies, and two other zombies that could either be M1 or S-types.

In regards to the D1 and D2, not only were they easy to tell apart from the other zombies because of their larger frame, but when it comes between the D1 and D2, the D1 was skinless just like the rest of the zombies while the D2 was covered in white scales on its body.

As for the N-type zombie, they're also easy to tell apart from the other zombies because they feature a normal size body frame. However, when it comes between the N1 and N2, it was impossible to tell them apart unless one gets closer by at least 5m so that the System can inform the person what Rank of N-type zombie is it or have the N2 cast a spell.

And lastly, for the M and S-types, aside from the M2 that has wings, the M1, S1 and S2 had the same body type -- a skinny frame.

"The road is too tight. Letting them come to us is too dangerous. I'm going to use my invisibility and charge at them and kill them right away. Just wait here. But be on high alert just in case," Nathan said and summoned two weapons, a [Grade D] Short Sword and [Grade D] Long Dagger, before disappearing.

When it comes to killing zombies, for the most part, Nathan was confident with his fighting prowess.

However, there are still a few things that would make him worry when facing them.

To him, not only does it lessen the effectiveness of his Chosen One skill, [Coward's Way], but at the same time, he isn't really a tank-type like Derek and Rose.

His stats are…

Level: 27

• STR – 70 (+5)

• VIT – 38 (+10)

• AGI – 35 (+26)

• INT – 35 (+7)

Just with the zombies alone and not even counting the virus, one lucky blow from a D2 or S2 could seriously injure him.

"Okay," Zita said as she summoned a couple of Bolts and four daggers and let them hover around her using her Chosen One skill, [Lift].

Nathan lost his invisibility when he cut down one of the zombies.

He didn't waste his time and immediately activated [Coward's Way] before moving on to the next.

Whoosh!

On Nathan's second kill, the three remaining zombies finally noticed him.

Roar!

Roar!

Roar!

They roared before charging at him.

***

"Mister, look!" Zita said excitedly while holding an item from the [Green] Treasure C.h.e.s.t.

'Heh~ A shield? So there's also a shield here? It's been a while since I dropped a shield.'

Back in Womania, one of the things Nathan noticed in regards to the drops was that there were some items that had a lower drop rate.

When it came to spellbooks, the melee-type spells had a lower drop rate compared to the range-type.

When it came to potions, it was the Antidote Potion that had a very low drop rate.

And when it came to equipment, it was the shields.

"Give it to me."

Zita sent the shield to Nathan using [Lift].

When he touched it, the System informed him that it was a [Grade D] Iron Shield (15/15).

'This design… I've never seen this kind of design back in Womania…'

'Well, it is based on historical brown-skinned Asian shields after all…'

The shield had a rectangular design about 3ft in length and 1ft in width with some slight curves on the side.

'Hmm… Also, not many people use shields. As a matter of fact, as far as I can remember, the last time I saw someone using a shield was that bimbo of a Chosen One and some of her companions.'

'Oh, I almost forgot. There's also that Scimitar. I've killed so many zombies but I only dropped a Scimitar once and that was in the morning of the first day of the zombie apocalypse. Ever since then, even among the people I've encountered, I've never seen a Scimitar...'

'Wait, how did I lose that Scimitar again...?'

'Was it during the time I got slapped by a D1...?'

'Ugh… I seriously can't remember…'

'Ah, whatever. What's important is what to do with this shield…'

He held it on top of his palm and lifted it up and down.

'Probably weighs around 3-4kg?'

'I should probably keep this for Zita just in --'

Boom!

Boom!

Nathan and Zita suddenly heard some cannon sounds from a distance and they looked at each other.

"Mister?"

"Probably from the building that we saw earlier swarmed by zombies? Whatever it is, it's not any of our concern. We're about 3km away from Fort Yano. We should just go directly there rather than go back and get caught in the crossfire."

"Okay."

"Also, do you remember our biggest weakness as Chosen Ones?"

Zita thought about it for a moment and then said, "Yes. The more people know about our power, the more vulnerable we will be."

"Very good. So as much as possible we should avoid showing people our powers or telling them we're Chosen Ones. If they know, we should kill them unless unnecessary."

Right after he said that, Nathan suddenly thought about the man he met back at the Brown Sports Complex.

'Well, he was the first Muwinian I've met since I came here so I was feeling generous…'

'And plus, he did provide me vital information…'

'Ugh… I just hope that decision wouldn't bite me back in the future…'

'Please, Lady Luck… Please…'

"And Zita, if someone asks about what skills you have?"

"I'm saving all of my Skill Points for some powerful spell or skill."

"Good, good," he said and then absorbed the [Grade D] Iron Shield into his [Artifact] Gold Spatial Finger.

"Mister, look," Zita said as she was holding another item.

It came from the [Blue] Treasure C.h.e.s.t.

Nathan squinted his eyes as he stared at it.

'What the f.u.c.k is that? Is that what I think it is?' he thought. "Give it to me."

Zita sent it to him via [Lift].

When he touched it, the System informed him what it was.

[Grade C] Full-body Loincloth (Female) (20/20): +4 INT, +1 AGI.

'Heh~ So this is the female version of the loincloths…'

'I've never thought about this, but given that there's the Loincloth (Male) and Full-body Loincloth (Female), can the opposite gender wear it?'

'I mean, there's bound to be some perverts out there who like to cross-dress, right...?'

He shook his head.

'I'll think about that later...'

He absorbed the [Grade C] Full-body Loincloth (Female).

"Mister, here," Zita said and then sent him the Nuclei.

He absorbed them.

"Okay, let's continue," he said and then walked.

"Okay~" she said and followed.

Nathan stopped and turned to her.

"How's the durability of your items? Do you need Repair Kits?"

Zita stopped and said, "They're still fine. My shoes have the lowest -- 9/15."

"Oh… Just don't forget to repair them once they reach 3 points, okay?" he said and resumed walking.

"Okay~" she said before pouting her lips to the side and resumed walking.

***

Nathan and Zita finally exited the maze-like neighborhood and arrived at a two-way steel bridge. Below it was a ravine with a river. And at the other end of the bridge, there were three papaya trees on the side of the road.

Nathan's eyes shined and he made a beeline for them.

With his long strides thanks to his newfound height partnered with his AGI, Zita immediately got left behind.

Zita was caught in surprise with Nathan's sudden burst of speed and was about to run to catch up to him but stopped herself when she saw him stopped by the papaya trees and started plucking their fruits.

She pouted her lips to the side in annoyance and decided to go to the corner of the bridge to look at the river.

When she got there, her eyes widened.

Between the height of the bridge and river was a 10ft difference.

On the left side of the ravine were poor-looking houses that looked like they belonged to a slum.

Meanwhile, on the right was the river bank with large stones and thick bushes.

It was also the side where the papaya trees were located.

And on the riverbank, there was a brown-skinned Asian boy about 10 years old or so fishing with a fishing rod.

Seeing a kid close her age, she raised her hand and was about to call and wave at him but stopped herself after remembering what Nathan said earlier and the face he made.

She placed her hand down and turned around.

"What are you doing?"

"Kyaaah!"

Nathan was right in front of her.

He raised one eyebrow as he studied her facial expression before moving to the side to see what was she looking at.

Zita grabbed his hand and tried to pull him away.

"Mister--!"

Down the riverbanks, he saw a brown-skinned Asian boy holding a fishing rod and looking at them.

When their eyes locked into each other, the boy immediately ran away into the thick bush with his fishing pole.

Zita let go of his hand and held her head down.

"Mister… I… I…"

Nathan turned towards her and smiled.

Pat.

Pat.

He patted her head.

"Don't worry. I'm not that sick that I would kill a child. I just want to talk to him to get information. That's all.

Zita raised her head and looked at him.

It was the very kind and warm smile that he always shows her.

'Perhaps mister really doesn't plan to do anything bad…?'

'Even back at the Government Shelter in Burrow City, I don't think he hurt any of the children…'

'Yes, I'm sure of it...'

'He doesn't --'

Poke!

He poked her nose.

"Come, wherever his base or camp is, it shouldn't be that far from here."

*********************************************

Author's thoughts:

Hello, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Thank you for reading!

Also, I'm sorry it took me long to post new chapters.

My body crashed down and I got sick because I was stressing over this neighbor of mine.

As a matter of fact, even until now I still feel a little weak and I have this massive headache.

You see, it started way back in February 2020.

A new neighbor, an old man and his daughter, came living in our neighborhood, right beside my house.

Now, this is going to sound mean but I really don't know what proper or softer words to use to explain these people. Their background is that they grew up in the mountains so you can call them country bumpkins or uncultured people.

Again, I'm really sorry. I really don't know what proper or softer words to use. But then again, I will admit that I'm heavily influenced by my hatred right now.

When they first came to live here in February 2020, the old man only had 2 roosters.

But then fast forward to 1 year and 2 months later, they now have 5 roosters and 5 ducks.

And the craziest part, they are rearing 5 roosters and 5 ducks in a freaking residential area located in the city!

Seriously, every f.u.c.k.i.n.g day from 4:00 am to 6:00 pm his roosters would be crowing non-stop, especially during 4:00am-6:00am and 4:00pm-6:00pm because that's when they'll be crowing like crazy.

Now, you must be wondering how did it get to this? Why did it last for 1 year and 2 months? Why didn't I act sooner?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, when this family first arrived, they only had 2 roosters.

However, what I also failed to mention is that this old man isn't rich just like me, he's a dialysis patient, and from what I gathered, some of the roosters he's rearing aren't his. He's getting paid to rear some of them. And on top of that, there is the covid situation where many people lost their jobs and are in desperate need of income.

Because of this, I tried to be patient with him because I understand the position he's coming from.

So every time I find his roosters too noisy, I would go and talk to him to move the roosters away from my room which he will do.

That's how much I tried to be civil with him.

However, he would just repeat the same mistake or cause another problem every 3-4 weeks. Moreover, he's just increasing the number of his pets.

Oh, did I forget to mention that when he first started living in our neighborhood he only had 2 roosters but now has 5 roosters and 5 ducks?

So about 2 months ago I finally had enough of it and decided to send a complaint letter to our local municipality regarding my neighbor.

And last week, after constantly going to the municipality office for weeks to get an update regarding my complaint, the officials in my local municipality finally decided to act.

An official came to our neighborhood last week to talk to the old man.

The old man said he'll do something about it.

However, of course, he didn't do anything.

After that, we were supposed to attend a meeting yesterday (Monday) to talk about the issue but the old man made some excuses that he was busy so the meeting was canceled and moved to another date.

Our meeting is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday). Hopefully, we can finally resolve this issue.

Now, you must be wondering where are my other neighbors? Why is it just me complaining?

Well, here's the kicker. The owners of the next house that's beside the other end of the old man's house are currently in the US so I'm basically alone on this one.

Well, why not just move? Well, I own my house. I'm not going to move or sell my house because of a noisy neighbor.

And plus, the neighborhood I'm currently living in is near the heart of the city. So 20, 30 years from now, it will be expensive.

But if the noise issue doesn't get resolved, well, I guess have no choice but to move away and let someone rent my house.

I've been enduring this old man for 1 year and 2 months already and it has really taken a huge toll on my health.

Seriously, not a day goes by that I don't stare at the samurai sword inside my room and imagine these wild, wild fantasies.

Anyways, that's all I want to say as to why I got sick and wasn't able to post any new chapters.

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Thank you once again Power Immortals and Immortal Patrons. This Lowly Shameless Immortal will see you in the next chapter... *Kowtows 300 times*