Twenty minutes later, the mayor decided to show the place himself.
Apparently, walking like a normal person was beneath him.
We rode a modified maintenance cart along the narrow train tracks. The thing was rebuilt for comfort rather than work.
Polished wooden panels covered what was once bare tal.
Plush leather seats lined the interior, soft enough to sink into, facing each other like those luxury trains designed more for the journey than the destination.
A small table had been bolted between us, holding a bottle of wine secured in a silver bracket so it wouldn’t rattle loose while we moved.
To be honest, the mayor really knew how to enjoy life. While others starved, he lived like a king.
This kind of influence wasn’t possible through authority alone—it ca from the fear he imposed.
According to the rumors I heard, almost every powerful scavenger in the district worked for him.
And now he was gathering people who had entered the Second Phase, tightening his grip even further.
The cart bump a bit as it carried us through a long stretch of concrete passageways.
Dim industrial lights flickered past overhead.
Every now and then we passed old side tunnels sealed with heavy steel gates. Rust clung to the tal like scars from another ti.
"This whole place was originally part of the city’s flood control network," the mayor explained, sitting across from with one leg casually crossed over the other.
"Maintenance rails were installed so workers could inspect the reservoirs quickly."
The cart rolled over a junction, the tracks curving deeper underground.
"After the world collapsed," he continued, "the people with privilege needed sowhere... safer than the one used by the common people."
I nearly burst out laughing. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
Still, I gave him a small nod of approval. Better to deal with an honest scumbag than a cunning fox pretending to be innocent.
"Mr. Mayor, you really have no filter with your words. Aren’t you worried I might have so pent-up frustration about equality... and decide to kill you in the heat of the mont?" I said, testing the waters.
He leaned back in his seat, completely at ease.
"You’re not the first person I’ve tried to recruit, Leon. I make sure a bodyguard is nearby."
His gaze settled on .
"But you’re the only one I didn’t bother bringing one for."
I raised a brow. "Why? You think I’m not crazy enough?"
He shook his head slowly.
"No. It’s because you’re smarter than the rest."
He tapped a finger lightly against the table. "And people like you... like us... rarely let sentint get in the way of opportunity."
His gaze drifted toward the tunnel sliding past the window.
"We don’t waste ti chasing ideals like equality. We calculate benefits."
A grin spread across my face.
I reached for the bottle and poured myself another glass of wine.
"Well said, Mayor. I have a feeling our partnership will prove... very profitable."
The cart slowed as the tunnel widened. Ahead, a massive circular gate lood from the darkness. It looked like the kind of door ant to hold back an ocean.
Two ard guards stood beside a control panel.
When they saw the mayor, they imdiately straightened.
"Open it," he ordered.
The gate groaned as its locking chanisms disengaged. Thick bolts retracted with a deep tallic clunk before the entire door slowly rolled aside.
Warm air flowed into the tunnel.
The cart rolled forward.
The mont we passed through, the environnt changed completely.
What used to be a massive underground flood reservoir had been transford into sothing that looked more like a private paradise.
This place was called Diamond Rest, and the na fit better than I expected.
The towering curved walls were covered with lush green plants, vines crawling along the concrete like living curtains.
Hidden lights bathed the vegetation in soft golden tones that mimicked sunlight.
Above us, the vast ceiling had been painted a deep blue.
Clouds were even brushed across the surface.
From the distance and the lighting, it almost looked like a real sky.
"Impressive," I admitted.
A faint breeze moved through the chamber, carrying the scent of fresh plants and fresh food.
Below the tracks stretched an entire underground district.
Elegant walkways curved around pools of clear water.
Small bridges connected terraces filled with restaurants, private lounges, and luxurious living spaces carved directly into the reservoir walls.
People dressed in clean clothing walked calmly through the area, sipping wine as if the hell above us didn’t exist.
Because to them, it probably didn’t.
The cart finally slowed near a polished stone platform.
We stepped off.
"Welco," the mayor said, spreading his arms slightly. "A sanctuary for those who can afford peace."
I glanced around.
Artificial waterfalls spilled into glowing pools. Soft music drifted through the air from sowhere hidden among the gardens.
"You built a paradise underground," I said.
The mayor chuckled softly.
"No. We simply moved the paradise where it was harder to burn."
I watched a group of wealthy guests laugh as a pretty server poured them wine beneath the painted sky.
Then I smirked.
"Not bad. I could get used to this."
An attendant led away from the platform and deeper into the district.
The mayor had ntioned he would summon later, and in the anti, this attendant would cater to my every need.
She stepped forward with a confident sway, blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail that bounced as she moved.
Her bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and her makeup was bold, ant to turn heads—especially among horny n, which was probably 100% of the population.
"I’m Mily," she said, flashing a bright smile that made want to kiss her right then and there.
"Pleasure to et you. So... I’m guessing you’re here to assist . Does that just an being my tour guide... or do you happen to offer other services as well?"
Yeah, I know I was being too upfront, rushing things—but who cares? Clean, quality holes in this era were worth more than oil.
They would have to declare a full-scale blockade just to keep from breaching her strait.
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