Later that day
Knock knock.
"Come in."
A room meant for two is currently occupied by just one boy. The reason?
"Good to see you again, David."
Though they're roughly the same age, the visitor addresses David with clear respect.
"No need to be so formal with me. I told you that already, didn't I?"
"Yes… I'll keep that in mind."
Outwardly, the boy appears calm and composed. But inside, his heart is racing like he just sprinted through a storm.
And who could blame him?
The person sitting before him is none other than David—the son of the man who rules the world with an iron fist. Just uttering that name is enough to sway the decisions of an entire state.
Even the room reflects that status. Unlike the others, David's room is filled with all sorts of devices, to the point it feels like it was custom-designed for him.
"And thank you for guiding me and offering a private space. Without you, I'd be completely lost, Sayin."
"It's only natural. You need time to adapt to this new environment."
As soon as he heard David was waking up, Sayin had volunteered to greet him.
"Since we've got a bit of time… could you explain what's really going on here?"
David lightly tapped the metal collar around his neck, as if wondering what purpose it served.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you… but I have no idea. Even Vagner—"
At the mention of that name, David raised an eyebrow. Sayin noticed and explained:
"Vagner is a victim of the complex as well. But thanks to his leadership skills and his ability to build connections, he quickly took control."
"I see…"
Sitting on his bed, David pondered.
"So just an ordinary guy who seized the moment as soon as it came… Normally, someone like that shouldn't be a problem."
He sighed internally.
Truthfully, David didn't care about Vagner. Or Carla, his supposed rival. What truly puzzled him was his own presence here.
What was his father thinking?
To his knowledge, the president—his father and the head of their family—would never ally with an enemy, whether they were dangerous or insignificant.
"Here's the layout of the complex."
Despite pretending not to care, David couldn't help but be intrigued.
After quickly scanning the document, he looked up at Sayin.
"Where's the rest?"
Indeed, the map only included a few levels.
Level 6, for starters: the recreation center, the beating heart of the underground facility. That's where people spent most of their time—talking, distracting themselves, or simply trying to pass the hours.
The lower levels—actually deeper, since everything is underground—were just as structured.
Level 7 housed the dormitories, separated between boys and girls. A quiet place, designed for rest.
Level 8 was where the capsules were stored—those strange machines where everyone had awakened, as if pulled from a suspended dream.
And Level 9 belonged to Vagner. He ruled over it in private. Entry was strictly forbidden, and rumors swirled. Some whispered of arsenals, others of vital supplies. In any case, the place was shrouded in mystery.
Then, there was the persistent rumor of a Level 10. Some swore it existed. A deeper, more secret floor. But David had seen nothing concrete. Only murmurs… speculation.
After a moment of thought, David concluded:
"For now, don't do anything. Let's wait and see how things develop."
"What about Carla?"
Unlike the other questions, this one left him silent for a moment.
"We haven't really interacted—aside from briefly yesterday. So… I know nothing about her."
David stood up quietly, walked to a corner of the room, and began preparing tea. He could've asked Sayin or anyone else to do it, but he doubted anyone here knew how to make it properly.
After all, everyone in this complex came from privileged backgrounds. This wasn't the kind of place where you learned how to boil water.
Case in point: if Sayin had known what to do, he would've rushed over to help by now. Instead, he remained frozen, his hands trembling, the urge to assist trapped in his fingertips.
David pretended not to notice and continued calmly.
"If you don't know anything about someone, just look at who raised them."
When the water reached boiling, he poured it into a porcelain cup.
"Her father is a calm and calculated man. He places great importance on his image as a symbol of peace. That's precisely why every coup attempt against him has failed."
Sayin's eyes widened. It was the first time he'd heard such a clear confirmation. Until now, they'd only had suspicions—no concrete proof that David's father was behind all those failed plots.
Before he could even process the information, David continued:
"Then they tried to weaken him economically by blocking exports. Unfortunately, his neighbors stepped in to help him, narrowly avoiding a major crisis."
He removed the kettle from the heat and slowly poured the hot water over the tea leaves.
"Assassination, conspiracies, corruption… whatever they try, his father always turns the situation to his advantage. But…"
David paused briefly, eyeing the rows of tea blends laid out before him. He took his time to choose.
"That constant caution is also his weakness. So afraid of betrayal, he avoids taking risks altogether. He stays on the defensive… and his daughter Carla follows the same pattern."
He had noticed it from the moment they woke up—Carla kept her distance from everyone, even if she did so politely.
"But that's just a theory. After all, a copy will never match the original."
Sayin didn't know how to respond to all this. Flustered, he clapped nervously, his sweaty palms making an awkward sound.
"Sometimes… I wonder how you stay so calm in situations like these."
Indeed, revealing so many confidential details to a teenager could've been dangerous.
But David didn't see it that way.
Who would take seriously the words of a kid who hadn't even reached adulthood? And besides…
He brought the cup to his lips, letting the tea sit on his tongue. A familiar sensation spread through his mouth. He lowered the cup gently and read the label on the side.
This particular tea could only be grown in a tiny, forgotten village in the heart of Africa. No one but his father would've thought to have it delivered here.
That one detail… brought him a strange sense of comfort.
Even if he knew his faction's chances of victory were close to zero, he still held onto a sliver of hope.
"You may go."
"Understood."
With that, Sayin left the room, leaving David alone to savor his brief moment of peace.