The prevalent belief held that the overlords of the prison, who orchestrated the game-like challenges, were responsible for the disappearances. It was assumed that they intervened to maintain control and prevent any one faction or individual from gaining overwhelming power within the city. The shadow of uncertainty and fear lingered, discouraging technological innovation and keeping the inhabitants in a perpetual state of caution.
The city also didn't expand that much because the number of the population rarely increased or decreased. Some people would occasionally disappear, probably being erased or reaching the next zones. No one knew the secrets to reach the other zones, at least in theory. People created bands and began to work together, and everyone could tell that some of those groups had valuable information.
