Chapter 3: The Phantom in the Forest
The forest loomed under a shroud of eerie darkness. Twisted trees reached skyward like skeletal fingers, and the wind howled through the branches, creating a ghostly wail. Yet amid this unsettling scene, one figure stood out in stark contrast to the ominous atmosphere.
It was none other than Đỗ Phi Hùng—the self-proclaimed most handsome man in the multiverse.
"Heh, what a letdown," he grumbled loudly. "This so-called haunted forest? I've seen playgrounds scarier than this! Hey, System, are you sure this place is haunted? Where are the ghosts?"
Kicking random stones along the path, Hùng's expression was filled with disappointment. His mission was supposed to be an epic test of strength, a chance to show off his newfound power. Instead, the forest offered nothing but creaking trees and cold wind.
"System, say something! This silence is killing me!"
No response came. Just a faint sigh echoed in his mind, as if the system knew that words wouldn't suffice to calm Hùng's boundless impatience.
Frustrated, Hùng jabbed a finger toward the empty air and shouted, "Hey, ghosts! Come out right now! Don't make me hunt you down myself! I'm here to test my power, and you're wasting my time!"
To emphasize his point, he punched a nearby tree with enough force to shake its ancient trunk. Leaves rained down, but apart from the crack of the bark, no ghostly entity made an appearance.
"Pfft, cowardly ghosts," Hùng scoffed, trudging deeper into the forest. "Scared off by a little noise, huh?"
But just then, a sudden chill ran down his spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. The air grew unnervingly still, thick with an oppressive energy.
"What the...?"
Instinctively, Hùng stopped, scanning his surroundings. The shadows seemed to deepen, and a prickling sensation crept over his skin. There was something behind him.
A grin spread across his face. "Heh, unlucky for you, ghost. You just found yourself a one-way ticket to the afterlife!"
With dramatic flair, Hùng spun around, ready to strike. "Prepare to face your doom, you—"
His words caught in his throat.
A ghostly figure hovered in the air, pale and ghastly, with hollow eyes and a wicked smile etched across its face.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!" Hùng screamed like a cat with its tail stepped on, stumbling backward. His bravado shattered instantly. But within moments, his fear was replaced by indignation.
"Wait a second!" he shouted, his voice rising. "You dare to scare me? I'm supposed to be scaring you! Get ready for a world of pain, ghosty!"
Fueled by wounded pride, Hùng charged at the specter, fist raised. He unleashed a mighty punch—
Whoosh!
His hand passed straight through the ghost as if it were nothing more than mist. Hùng stumbled forward, landing face-first in the dirt.
"You slippery little..." He scrambled to his feet, pointing an accusing finger at the ghost. "Don't you dare run away from me!"
The ghost didn't move an inch. It merely floated there, raising a translucent hand.
SMACK!
A ghostly slap struck Hùng square across the face, sending him flying ten meters back before crashing into a tree.
Clutching his cheek, Hùng growled, "You dirty cheater! Did you just slap me?"
At last, the system spoke up in his mind:
[Master, you seem to have forgotten an important detail. Ghosts are spiritual entities. You can't touch them without using spiritual energy.]
"Spiritual energy? What is that—some kind of ghost punch upgrade?"
[Precisely. You must channel your energy to affect spiritual beings. Just imagine having it.]
"Imagine it?" Hùng smirked. "Easy. I'm the king of imagination!"
Closing his eyes, he focused hard, picturing his hands glowing with divine energy, radiating with unstoppable ghost-busting power.
"Alright, ghosty, your time's up!"
He dashed toward the specter again, this time with renewed confidence. As he swung his hand—
WHACK!
The sound echoed through the forest as the ghost was sent flying into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.
Panting, Hùng stared at his hand in awe before bursting into laughter. "Ha! I did it! Slapped you right into oblivion! That's what you get for messing with me!"
The system sighed. [Master truly has a knack for destruction...]
Hands on his hips, Hùng stood triumphantly under the pale moonlight. But after a few moments, the thrill of victory began to fade, replaced by a creeping sense of boredom.
"Hmm, no more ghosts to fight?" He scratched his head. "System, is there a way to summon more?"
[Master, I doubt any ghost would willingly come near you now...]
And so, in the heart of the eerie forest, Đỗ Phi Hùng found himself once again alone—only the wind's whisper and the moon's dim glow for company.
But for him, that didn't matter. He knew this was just the beginning.