Chapter 1540 Some Are Born in Darkness
Unlike Zaid, Atlas had spent his entire life confined to a research facility as a test subject. Until the age of five, his only companions were cold instruments and machinery. Through the glass barriers, he watched people in white lab coats, naively believing they were all his family.
Before turning five, he knew nothing of the world beyond—no blue skies, no rustling leaves, no gentle breezes. His first venture outside came when he was sent to make contact with Zaid.
Despite their young age, both boys had been injected with hormones that accelerated their cognitive development, giving them exceptional intelligence.
Perhaps it was Atlas's wide-eyed wonder and curiosity about the world that stirred compassion in Zaid. Yet Zaid didn't immediately agree to return to the research facility with him.
"I need to see what Octavia thinks," he said, his voice carrying the weight of uncertainty.
Zaid had lived within the organization for several years, treating Octavia as his surrogate mother. While wrestling with whether to tell her about Atlas, he overheard a conversation between Octavia and Efrain that would shatter his world.
"Zaid's intelligence is remarkable, far beyond other children his age," Octavia said, her voice carrying down the hallway. "But he seems inherently cold-blooded. Such individuals rarely develop a sense of loyalty to the group and are difficult to control. He's not suitable leadership material."
"Let's remove Zaid from consideration then, Efrain. I already have someone more appropriate in mind," she continued, though she didn't reveal that her chosen successor was her daughter.
Zaid heard every word. It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his burning ambitions. He understood Octavia's position as BK's leader—the revered "Saint" whose word was absolute. Her rejection meant his prospects within the organization were permanently stunted.
"Efrain, Zaid has killed many small animals," she cautioned. "There's a bloodthirsty element in his genetic makeup. He struggles to form friendships. Keep an eye on him and try to guide him toward a better path."
This was Octavia's warning, but Efrain dismissed it—after all, Zaid was just a five-year-old child.
Unaware of Zaid's eavesdropping, Octavia turned to leave and encountered him around the corner.
"K?" She reached down to ruffle his hair. "What are you doing here?"
Darkness swirled in Zaid's eyes. He had thought she was different from others, that she wasn't afraid of him. But she was just like everyone else.
She had given him the codename K, given him hope that he would be BK's "K"—her successor. Now he realized she had never truly considered him.
"Octavia, who's your favorite?" he asked bluntly.
Octavia knelt down, her voice gentle. "I might as well tell you. I have a daughter. You should meet her someday—she's lovely and will grow up to be exceptional. She's heaven's gift to me."
Blood ties always won out. In her heart, her daughter would always be her first choice. Zaid was just something she had picked up along the way—a curiosity she secretly feared when she saw him torturing small animals.
"K, did you hear our conversation just now?" Octavia's tone remained soft as she continued stroking his head. "Don't be upset. You may not become the leader, but I'll still teach you everything I can."
He didn't want her consolation prize. He didn't want to be anyone's second choice.
'If only her daughter would die,' he thought.
This was the terrible imprinting effect—he wanted to eliminate whoever occupied the number one spot in Octavia's heart, just as he had eliminated those small animals.
So when Atlas later asked if he wanted to join him, Zaid agreed without hesitation. He had to prove to Octavia that he was the most qualified leader.
This psychological wound festered within him until Octavia's disappearance.
While out together, they were ambushed unexpectedly. Octavia trusted him completely, telling him to go back for reinforcements—giving him the chance to escape. But that wasn't what he did. Upon returning to the organization, he simply announced that Octavia had business to attend to and wouldn't be back for a while.
He didn't know who had targeted Octavia, only that they had moved swiftly and without warning.
Everyone in the organization knew him as Octavia's protégé and believed he wouldn't lie, so no one went looking for her.
After that, she remained missing.
K cleverly forged Octavia's handwriting, creating a document that transferred all authority to him. His mimicry skills were impeccable—the document raised no suspicions, not even from Efrain or Donny.
From that point on, his rise through the organization was meteoric.
Octavia could never have imagined that the child she had protected would become the blade that cut her down.
This was K's past. Even now, he still wanted to see Octavia one more time.
Some people, it seemed, were simply born with darkness in their souls.
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