Surviving the Apocalypse with Crafting Skills

“That’s it…the plumbing is done.”

He closed the last tile and wiped the dirt off his grimy face.

I’m exhausted.

He unscrewed the water bottle nearby and took a swig to quench his thirst.

Still, our reliance on bottled water won’t last much longer.

– Creak.

Using a flathead screwdriver, he unscrewed the gas mask filters in one corner of the room and carefully inserted them into an empty two-liter bottle.

He then connected the improvised filter to the water purifier attached to the boiler.

Once the water is filtered, we can boil and use it.

Hot water showers should be possible…and the water used for showers can be filtered again and used for the toilet.

And since I’ve connected it to the drain pipe found under the corridor tiles, it’ll naturally flow into the waste storage.

Later, I can periodically go to the waste storage, add some sawdust, mix it, and use it as fertilizer.

The important thing is that the water is flowing properly – right?

“Haaah.”

Heaving a sigh, he got up and opened the door.

The smell of dinner being prepared drifted in…a bit salty this time.

Is that cheese?

“Wah!”

There he saw Sarah with various cans – and macaroni?

“Ugh, the smell.”

“Did we do something?”

“Ugh, the smell. It’s making me lose my appetite. Please clean up. If you can, that is, Mr. Clean.”

…Such a petty revenge.

“I was just about to turn on the water.”

“Eh, really?”

“Would you like to check it out?”

At those words, Sarah immediately threw open the door.

“Dad! He says he’s turning on the water!”

“Wah, really?”

“Hey! Where are you going with the macaroni?”

…There were several loud crashes as things were knocked over.

The small bathroom was now packed with four people.

What’s so hard about opening a valve?

“So, from now on, we’ll fill the water here?”

“That’s right. There should be a pipe somewhere to collect rainwater too. Once we find and check its condition, and connect a filter, we can use that water as well.”

“You really are amazing.”

“Shall we open it?”

At the nods of the other three, he turned the valve with all his strength.

– Ssssssh…

The sound of air rushing out was followed by water flowing in, cooling the pipes.

“It’s flowing properly. No leaks…”

“Alright, let’s check out the boiler room.”

At the urging hand on his back, he went to the bathroom where the boiler and purifier were installed.

“Ooh, I hear it, I really do!”

Fortunately, the sound of water filling the boiler could be heard.

The filter seemed to be working fine too.

…Lucky there’s no leaks.

“Wah!?”

“Psstt!” A jet of water hit Sarah.

I knew this would happen.

“Hey, it’s the shower!”

“Dad!!”

Unable to contain his laughter, he burst out, only to be met with Sarah’s icy glare.

I was able to stop laughing quickly enough, but it took James and Curtis slapping their backs and arms a couple times before they covered their mouths.

“Hurry and fix this!”

“You just need to get out of the water stream, right?”

“How can I when Grandpa’s in the way – Argh!”

He managed to suppress another outburst of laughter.

Instead, he picked up a wrench and tightened the pipe connection forcefully.

Maybe I didn’t tighten it enough earlier because I was tired.

In the game, this happens when your stamina gauge runs out while assembling something.

“It should be fine now.”

“Now what do you plan to do?”

“Well, you were already planning to wash your hair anyway, right? I’ve already found some soap.”

“Grandpa!”

“Go wash quickly before you catch a cold.”

“Anyway…the hot water should be at a good level by now.”

Four showers installed in the room.

I made them to match the number of people and even installed partitions.

He opened the first cubicle and tried turning on the water.

– Ssssssh…

“What? Why is it only making a hissing sound?”

“Hmm…Did I connect the pipes wrong?”

He turned the faucet on and off.

He turned it to the hot side, then the cold side.

But it still only made the hissing sound without any water coming out.

“Let me see. Did I do something wrong?”

“There’s no way.”

After Sarah grabbed the showerhead and examined the water outlet,

But generally water problems aren’t with the showerhead itself but with the pipes –

“Ah. Is it because the valve isn’t open?”

The valve attached to the pipe next to the boiler.

Ah, I forgot to open that first.

“Ugh, come on water!”

While Sarah was madly turning and closing the faucet, James grabbed the valve and turned it sideways.

Then.

“Kyaah!?”

Surprised by the gushing water, Sarah dropped the showerhead and screamed while getting pelted by the strong water stream.

Kicking her feet, she finally seemed to remember how to turn off the water, and slammed down the faucet with her hand.

“Hah, hah, hah.”

“It works!”

While looking at his thoroughly soaked daughter, James sheepishly raised his thumb.

Curtis had been coughing continuously from earlier and was even tearing up.

“Uh, so, it definitely works?”

The hand that picked up the fallen showerhead.

Even though we haven’t been able to bathe for a long time, at least the toothbrush and toothpaste are fine so my teeth are clean.

That stance.

Nope.

“Then it’s shower time!!!”

“Uaaaaah!!!”

“Cold! Cold! At least turn on the hot water!!!”

“Retreat, men, retreat!”

Feeling his clothes get soaked, he quickly fled outside.

The place Curtis, who was barely dry, led him to was the “kitchen” where they were boiling water.

“Now, quickly take off your wet clothes. While Sarah bathes, we’ll make dinner.”

“An actual shower room, an actual bathroom?”

Though he’s soaking wet, James was smiling.

Until now, I only ever saw him with a worried face.

“Now we don’t have to endure stomach pain until we die.”

Curtis, who was pouring in the macaroni, was the same.

At first impression, he looked like a veteran soldier who had survived a long war.

But now he only looked like a mischievous grandfather teasing his granddaughter.

“How about making a washing machine next?”

“Washing machine…”

He took off his top and wrung out the water.

Of course, we can do laundry in the shower room, but for blood-stained clothes, using detergent and a washing machine would be better.

And unless we randomly find a bunker with livestock stored, making clothes ourselves is almost impossible, and there’s no guarantee we’d find the right size by chance.

“A bit scary now. Do you intend to try making anything?”

“First, I’d like to expand the areas we can illuminate. We can’t keep relying on just two barricades forever.”

Somehow, my body…my muscles have grown a bit.

Is it from moving while ignoring the muscle pain?

“That incinerator you mentioned earlier. Now that I think about it, we’re starting to get a bad smell in the corridor.”

“That’s something we can do once we’ve secured enough space to move around safely. For now…I’d like to be able to move safely at least to where the waste collects.”

The bodies can be burned with oil or fertilizer, so it would be better if we find a bunker with a crematorium already set up.

In any case, something we’d find if we keep searching…

“Have something to eat first.”

Listening to the continuous sound of water, he looked at the thick yellow cheese sauce.

…This is macaroni mixed in, right?

“Is it okay to eat this?”

“Why, don’t you like macaroni and cheese?”

“Not really. It’s just…I’m not used to this kind of food.”

Even though I was close friends with三角kimbap and lunchboxes.

While I’d eat macaroni salad, I’m not used to macaroni soaked in cheese…

“True, Sarah didn’t like macaroni and cheese either.”

“It’s a very American food, full of calories, with a long preservation period. It’s not bad.”

Summoning courage, he took a spoonful.

…It’s

That bad.

“Ugh…”

“You can add more macaroni then. Welcome to America.”

“Are you serious about eating this?”

“At least it gives you lots of energy after eating. How about water?”

“Biscuits…biscuits would be better…”

“Same as Sarah. Hohoho, here you go.”

He ate the dry, crumbly biscuit to absorb all the moisture, which helped somewhat.

While reluctantly eating the food, suddenly the sound of the door opening could be heard.

“Hooaaaaa…”

Sarah, with a fully relaxed face, lightly stepped over and plopped down next to him.

She fluffed her half-dry hair and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Smell this.”

“…Wow.”

The heavy air was much fresher and sweeter.

And her face is such a bright color.

“You are ready to enlist, I see.”

“Is that your first impression?”

“No. It’s just…”

Is it from scrubbing off the grime? The veins and muscles on her shimmering arms are clearly visible.

Not at James’ level, but her forearms are strong enough to compare with mine, which have gained some strength.

“Hmph…yeah. I worked out hard to match the physical requirements. So, does it smell?”

“Of course not. You look good.”

She fluffed her hair a few more times.

Sarah gazed at what he was eating.

“Any biscuits?”

“That’s all there is.”

“Huh?”

While shoveling a spoonful into his mouth, Curtis was smiling.

“You’ve done so much for us, from making showers to setting up barricades and tending to wounds. You deserve whatever you want.”

“Ugh…”

“Here, take yours. Don’t leave any like last time.”

“Hmph, now that we at least have water…”

Sarah’s eyes, staring wistfully at the biscuits he was holding.

I guess I was saving them for her originally.

“Alright, let’s share.”

He took about three and put them in his bowl, then handed the rest to Sarah.

Anyway, once we start our proper search, we should be able to find better preserved foods than these.

“Really?”

“They were originally yours, Sarah. Curtis told me, otherwise I wouldn’t have eaten them.”

“Still, you made the shower, set up the barricades, tended to wounds…”

“Ah, right, the wound. Did you remove the bandage and wash it?”

“No…not yet. I did try sprinkling water around it…”

“No can do. Washing the wound regularly is much better. Eat first, then let me check it before I shower.”

He shoved a biscuit soaked in macaroni and cheese into his mouth, then took another spoonful.

Getting used to the salty taste, it doesn’t seem that bad.

“…Uh, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

He gave an awkward smile at the sudden thank you.

After all, we owe each other, and I’m getting plenty in return.

Building this initial bond means situations of betrayal are almost absolutely nonexistent.

“Do we have enough biscuits?”

“They’re growing on me as I eat.”

“…If we just had some cabbage here, it would be much better.”

“Soon we should be able to start a vegetable garden.”

“Really?”

“If we find livestock, we could even build a barn to raise them.”

“Then goodbye to ham?”

“Maybe.”

“…Is there anything you can’t do?”

He thought for a moment.

What was the penalty for a Crafter again?

“I can’t shoot as well as you guys, my stamina is a bit low, I can’t lift heavy things well, I don’t know how to cook well. And I’m not particularly skilled with animals…Therefore, I think I’ll be relying on you guys a lot.”

“…After doing all this?”

Sarah stared at him as if he was being unreasonable.

Before he could say anything, he chewed and swallowed the last biscuit.

“I’m serious. Really. If later someone else comes around asking about my replacement…I won’t take responsibility.”

“…Hey, that’s our line, isn’t it?”

Sarah tapped her feet.

“So you’re saying you’re going to use us a lot from now on?”

“You’re so heartless.”

“She’ll be the one personally choosing and planting vegetables in the garden, though.”

“That I’ll gladly do.”

Touching his body that had somehow dried, even the water-soaked parts felt much lighter and refreshing.

We’ve been able to live cleanly only a few days since meeting the Omen family.

We’ve already managed to survive a zombie attack smoothly.

Looking at it from another angle, starting with three combat members…

“I’m lucky, aren’t I?”

“Huh?”

“I was just talking to myself. It was a good meal.”

Placing the empty bowl on the ground, he got up.

“Come to the shower. I’ll be ready to change your bandage.”

When he shook his head, dirt fell off.

Must be from the plumbing work.

“Alright.”

Leaving behind Sarah, whose face was bright red, probably from sitting too close to the fire, he headed to the shower room.

I thought that with minimal hygiene taken care of, it would be fine outside the game.

But no matter the apocalypse, living ‘humanly’ is much more important than I thought.

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