Wanting to Surpass the MC with the Greatest Harem.
Chapter 43: The Mad Ghost(Bonus)

Chapter 43: The Mad Ghost(Bonus)

The next trail was simple fog curled around the ancient training grounds like a serpent. This part of the Ghost Fortress was different—older, more silent. The shadows here whispered, and even the most fearless warriors stepped lightly.

Dominic stood alone in the middle of a circular stone arena carved with arcane symbols, faintly glowing violet. The air was cold, but not from the weather—it was the chill of something unnatural.

Lady Fares stood on a high platform above him, her expression solemn.

"The first trial was against skill," she called out, her voice echoing. "This one... is against death itself."

A heavy door groaned open on the far side of the arena.

From the darkness, she emerged.

A woman.

Or what was once a woman.

She was barefoot, her movements eerie and slow. Her skin was pale with ghostly cracks spreading across her arms and neck like veins of broken glass. Her hair was long, white as snow, and floated behind her as if underwater. Her eyes—no pupils. Just glowing orbs of silver madness.

She smiled.

Everyone watching from the shadowed balconies tensed.

"The Mad Ghost..." someone whispered.

"No one fights her twice," said another.

Dominic didn’t flinch. But his gut tightened.

Lady Fares announced, "Her name is Veyra. She was once one of us. A prodigy. A commander. But the ghost curse consumed her. Now, she is our trial. Our guardian of madness. Defeat her... or be lost like the rest."

The glowing runes beneath Dominic’s feet dimmed.

And the second trial began.

Veyra disappeared. No footsteps. No sound. Just gone. Into the shadows.

Then—bang!

A gust of wind slammed into Dominic as a pale blur struck his ribs. He flew across the arena, coughing blood mid-air before slamming into a pillar. It cracked from the impact.

He groaned. "Damn... she’s fast."

He rolled just in time to avoid a sweep of her claws—black, shadow-infused talons that hummed with cursed energy.

Veyra giggled.

"You bleed nice," she whispered, appearing behind him. He turned too late.

A claw slashed across his back. The sting was worse than fire—it felt like his soul was being torn.

He roared and activated. "Activate weaponry." Suddenly a glimmer of light formed and a sword firned up in hid hands. Then he activated his Silent Slay.

Time slowed just a fraction—enough to see her next movement. He ducked and countered, his fist landing square on her jaw.

She barely moved.

Then smiled again.

"You’re strong. That’s cute."

She unleashed a pulse of dark energy from her chest. Dominic was blown backward once more, this time his shoulder dislocating mid-flight.

He hit the floor hard. Dust filled the air.

Above, the onlookers whispered in horror.

"He’s going to die..."

"No one has ever landed a second hit on her."

Dominic lay still, blood dripping from his lips.

But his mind raced.

"She’s fighting like a Mad being, but there’s still a woman inside. A warrior who was once one of them. There has to be a way to break through."

He forced his shoulder back in with a scream. Then rose, slowly.

Veyra hovered above the ground now, her body flickering with violent spirit energy.

She dived.

Dominic closed his eyes.

He let his instincts speak.

At the last second, he ducked, twisted, and slammed his elbow into her gut.

She flinched.

He saw it.

A hesitation.

There was still humanity in her.

He followed through—two punches to the ribs, a knee to her thigh, and a final uppercut that sent her spiraling mid-air.

Veyra landed with a snarl. Then—

Her aura exploded.

The entire arena shook. Violet and black flames circled her like ghostly serpents. Her voice echoed in a hundred tones.

"You want to play with the cursed?!!"

She flew at him again—blinding speed.

Her claws tore at his side. He blocked one. Two. The third dug deep into his chest.

Blood spilled. Dominic staggered.

She lifted him by the throat.

Above, Lady Fares stepped forward. "Enough!" she shouted.

But Dominic raised his hand. Lady Fares stared at him in concern. Veyra was very brutal when she unleashed her cursed nature.

"No... I’ve got this..."

He clenched his fist and whispered, <<"NewSystem skill: [Blood Pulse].">>

A surge of crimson power burst from his chest.

It shocked her—blasted her back with a howl of pain.

Dominic dropped to his knees. Breathing hard. Barely standing.

But he stood.

Veyra growled as steam rose from her skin.

"You’re persistent."

"Yeah," he said, spitting blood. "And you’re not the only mad one in this arena."

He charged.

No hesitation.

He dodged her next attack and hit her with a combo so fast, the air cracked.

Fist. Elbow. Kick. Slam.

And then he leapt.

Both fists overhead.

He brought them down on her like hammers.

Boom.

Veyra hit the ground. Hard. The entire arena trembled. Dust billowed out. The cursed light in her eyes flickered.

Dominic stood over her, barely conscious. Breathing like a beast. Bloodied. Bruised.

But standing.

The silence was deafening.

Then—

Clapping.

It began with one Ghost soldier.

Then another.

Then the whole balcony exploded in cheers.

Dominic had done the impossible.

He had defeated Veyra, the Mad Ghost.

Lady Fares descended from the balcony herself, her expression unreadable.

She walked to Dominic and studied him for a long time.

Then nodded.

"You’ve passed again, General."

"I barely had time to breathe." Dominic confessed. Lady Fares laughed it off. He had defeated someone that only the best had defeated.

The mystery of Dominic still hung in the air. He looked weak but was actually powerful . Well at least that dace him ab edge against his enemies. A sudden attack was all he needed to take them down.

But the fact that he was this powerful was illusuonal. Then there so many people with the motive to kill him. All for what? There had to be a good urgent reason for their sudden attack. He was no ordinary being.

Dominic looked at Veyra. Her breathing was shallow but steady. The curse was retreating, broken by the sheer willpower of his spirit.

He whispered, "Rest, soldier. You deserve it."

And then—his knees buckled, and the world faded to black.