war paradise

Lin Chi adjusted his grip on the metal ladder, his fingers tightening instinctively as he climbed further down into the depths of the Dark Tower. The heat pressing against his skin intensified, making the air feel thick, almost suffocating. The dim red and green lights lining the walls flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows that danced across the metal surfaces.

His mind raced as he recalled the documents he had read earlier—the brief, clinical entries that detailed the horrific fates of the prisoners. Dehydrated. Burnt. Gassed. It was now clear that the Dark Tower was not merely a prison, but a brutal testing ground where human lives were discarded in the pursuit of scientific advancements or military experimentation.

As his feet finally touched the cold metal flooring, Lin Chi took a moment to scan his surroundings. The chamber was vast, lined with consoles and panels humming with power. Rows of warning signs—"BIOHAZARD," "EXTREME CAUTION," "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY"—covered the walls, reinforcing the idea that something dangerous was stored here.

Then, he saw it.

At the center of the chamber stood a reinforced glass containment pod, large enough to hold a human. Inside, a sleek metallic exoskeleton, unlike anything he had seen before, rested in a locked frame. It had a minimalistic, utilitarian design—more of an experimental prototype than a finished weapon. The armor's plating was thin, appearing almost skeletal, but the joints were reinforced with a material that looked far stronger than conventional alloys.

Lin Chi's heartbeat quickened. This must be the secret weapon.

He moved cautiously toward the containment pod, glancing at the nearby console. The interface was relatively simple—likely because the scientists who operated it wanted ease of use in emergencies. He tapped a few buttons, and with a loud hiss, the pod began to depressurize. The locking mechanisms disengaged, and the glass barrier slid open.

He reached out and touched the exoskeleton, feeling the cool metal beneath his fingertips. The moment he lifted it from its frame, a system notification appeared in the corner of his vision:

[New Equipment Acquired: X2-001 Exoskeleton Prototype]

[Attributes: Strength +3, Agility +3]

[Special Effect: Allows the user to meet the minimum strength requirement for heavy armor without activating the "War Horn" skill.]

Lin Chi exhaled, a slow grin forming on his lips. This was better than he had expected. Not only did the exoskeleton boost his physical stats, but it also allowed him to wear heavier armor, giving him an advantage in the upcoming battle.

Wasting no time, he removed his coat and began strapping the exoskeleton to his body. The metal framework adjusted automatically, locking into place with precision. Unlike the clunky power armor seen in many sci-fi games, this exoskeleton felt lightweight and responsive, almost like a second skin.

Lin Chi flexed his fingers, testing the motion. The additional strength was immediately noticeable. He clenched his fist, feeling the enhanced power in his grip.

"Not bad."

Before he could fully admire his new gear, a loud metallic clang echoed through the chamber.

Lin Chi's instincts flared. He turned swiftly, his hand going to the dagger at his belt.

The noise came from a far corner of the chamber, near a heavily secured metal door. Someone—or something—was trying to get in.

He crouched low, his mind racing through possibilities. Had his presence triggered an automated security system? Or worse—was there another experimental subject locked away down here?

Another bang. This time, the door buckled slightly inward.

Lin Chi took a step back, his eyes darting toward the ladder. He could climb back up and regroup, but leaving now would mean giving up on whatever lay behind that door.

Then, the terminal next to the exoskeleton pod lit up, displaying a flashing message:

[Emergency Containment Breach Detected.]

[Warning: Subject X2-002 has been awakened.]

Lin Chi's breath caught in his throat.

"Shit."

He had unknowingly triggered something far worse than an automated defense system.

Without hesitation, he spun on his heel and sprinted toward the ladder. Whatever was behind that door was about to break free, and he had no intention of being caught in the same room when it did.

The moment he reached the ladder, another boom resounded through the chamber—this time accompanied by the unmistakable screech of tearing metal.

Lin Chi didn't look back. He climbed. Fast.

The red emergency lights above flickered ominously as he ascended. His mind was a whirlwind of calculations. If something was coming out of that room, the battle ahead was about to become even more complicated.

As he neared the surface, he heard a distant, distorted growl rising from below—a sound that didn't belong to anything human.

He climbed faster.

By the time he reached the rooftop, the girl was already waiting for him, tapping her foot impatiently. "What took you so long?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

Lin Chi exhaled, brushing dust from his sleeves. "We have a problem."

The girl crossed her arms. "Bigger than the war you just dragged us into?"

Lin Chi turned his gaze toward the city, where distant gunfire and the occasional explosion had already begun to disturb the early morning silence. His army was assembled, waiting for the signal to move. His mercenaries, prisoners, and hired specialists were all armed and eager.

But now, there was something else to worry about—something lurking beneath the Dark Tower.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Much bigger."

As the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, the battle for the city was about to begin.

And somewhere deep underground, an unknown nightmare had just been set free.

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