Super Soldier

Chapter 20: Fairy Tales Are Lies

Lin Fei gazed at the icy, ethereal girl imprisoned within the translucent, glass-like pyramid. “War God System, ever since you possessed me, this might be the first truly commendable thing you've done,” he said cheerfully to the voice in his mind.

Perhaps fairy tales aren’t entirely deceitful after all. The valiant hero, after enduring countless trials and vanquishing the wicked dragon, is said to rescue a beautiful princess and live happily ever after. Though Lin Fei’s own journey bore little resemblance to such stories, the outcome—at least for now—seemed just as splendid.

He strolled leisurely around the base of the massive, multi-tiered crystal pyramid, his interest piqued by the sight within. From every angle, he studied the girl enclosed inside—an immaculate maiden with closed eyes and silver hair, her skin flawless and pale as snow, as though she belonged not to the mortal realm but to some celestial domain.

Yet, Lin Fei was dismayed to discover no entrance to the pyramid; not a single seam, not a solitary passage through which to enter. It was, for all intents and purposes, impenetrable.

Hoisting the iron ball still bound to his foot, he struck it hard against the crystalline surface—once, twice, thrice. A deafening clang echoed with each blow, sending pain reverberating through his hand, yet the pyramid remained unmarred, without so much as a c***k.

Given his battle-hardened physique—tempered and reforged under the War God System’s rigorous trials—he could easily shatter concrete walls. And yet this glass-like structure stood unmoved, defying all attempts at force.

Retreating a few steps, Lin Fei lifted his gaze to the apex of the pyramid, where he noticed a barely discernible, droplet-shaped white orb hovering silently. Surrounding it stood four faceless, humanoid statues sculpted from the same transparent glass.

“War God System,” Lin Fei asked, “do you know how to open this pyramid and free the girl inside?” But the system, as always, reverted to its maddening silence, refusing to answer a single query.

With no other option, Lin Fei decided to climb the pyramid.

The moment his foot touched the first step, a faint tremor rippled through the space, and arcane runes etched in the air above began to spin wildly. A withered voice echoed from nowhere: “Tower of Ascension… one hundred and eight steps… symbolizing the 108 levels of human evolution… Only a Saint may reach the summit… zzzhhhzzhh…”

The voice faltered, dissolved into static, and Lin Fei could catch only the beginning of its message. Likely, time had eroded the ancient magic. Seeing no immediate danger, he continued to ascend.

He counted each step meticulously. By the time he reached the fiftieth, a mysterious resistance began pushing against him. At the eighty-second step, the force had grown so immense that each movement became an excruciating ordeal. When he finally reached the ninetieth, sweat pouring down his body, his limbs trembling, he could go no farther.

Even with the War God System’s enhancements, he could not surpass the ninetieth level. Could it be that in the era this pyramid was built, true saints did exist—beings that defied modern science?

Just as he prepared to abandon his climb and descend, a radiant crimson light flared from within the pyramid. The girl inside, still slumbering, had begun to glow. A red beam burst forth from her body, striking the runes at the summit and scattering their formation.

In that instant, the crushing pressure vanished.

“You little angel, even you’re helping me out? Alright then—since you’ve made it this easy, I’ll see what awaits at the top!” Lin Fei roared, surging up the remaining eighteen steps.

At the summit, four faceless glass guardians hovered protectively around the floating orb. The red light from the girl still lingered, and now the statues glimmered faintly, trying to resist its influence. Once more, that ancient, whispering voice returned, murmuring unintelligibly.

Lin Fei’s eyes fell upon the orb. Before he could act, the War God System spoke, unusually animated:

“Advanced Psychic Energy Crystal detected. Absorbable. Absorption will restore psychic energy reserves to the War God System. Completion of qualifying mission scenarios may result in the host being rewarded with psychic-based abilities. Prompt: Initiate absorption?”

“Absorption will trigger a temporary state of invincibility lasting three minutes. Risk level: 0.01%.”

“To become a true War God, the host must seize every opportunity to increase power. Immediate absorption is recommended to prevent external interference.”

“Unknown technological language detected. Communication signal obstructed. Translation pending…”

Lin Fei’s eyes gleamed. If even the aloof War God System endorsed the safety and benefits of this action—especially the prospect of psychic abilities, rumored to be the mark of elite mecha warriors in the entire Tianlong Empire—then what was there to hesitate?

“War God System, commence absorption,” he commanded.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he lost all control of his body. His right hand glowed gold, extending unnaturally toward the orb, seizing it.

The moment his hand touched the crystal, thousands of runes in the air trembled and surged toward him like a tempest. Beams of blue energy, sharp as lasers, shot forward, but the golden aura enveloping Lin Fei held fast, repelling every assault.

Under the system’s guidance, Lin Fei brought the orb to his lips and swallowed it whole.

The crystal melted instantly, releasing a cool stream of energy that surged to his mind—then vanished.

“Psychic energy crystal successfully absorbed,” the War God System intoned.

The entire pyramid began to shudder. In mere seconds, it collapsed into glittering fragments.

Though everything felt slow, the entire process had taken only moments. As the pyramid crumbled, Lin Fei—still under the system’s protection—landed gently before the slumbering silver-haired girl.

Freed from her prison, she stirred. Her head moved slightly. Then, slowly, her eyes opened.

Crimson.

Crimson eyes like blood—cold, demonic, and devoid of warmth—locked onto Lin Fei’s.

And the fairytale dream ended.

“So, it was you who freed me,” the girl spoke, her voice as lifeless as a tomb. “Then as thanks, human… I shall grant you a painless death.”