This kid is too dumb to be alive without plot armor.
THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE MANGA!
It doesn't matter how much he wants to succeed and get into the upper city. At his age and skill level its impossible for him to survive in the wasteland. He might find a few relics before ultimately dying. Even if those men did not ambush him in the first chapter, the dogs would've just killed him outright before he got anywhere considering how fast they came in after his ambush. She is the plot armor keeping him alive! There would be no story otherwise.
