"What the hell did you do?" Niski cried out, his eyes blazing with anger.

Takahishi stood frozen, his jaw hanging open in shock. "I-I d-didn't do anything," he stammered, his voice barely audible.

A blinding flash of light filled the room, and a beam of bright green light blasted out of the book. The air was filled with maniacal laughter, the sound sending shivers down their spines.

"He-he-he, I'm finally free at last!" the voice cackled, the sound echoing off the walls.

As the laughter faded, a figure began to take shape in the center of the room. The bright green light coalesced into a humanoid form, its features twisted and grotesque.

Takahishi, Crinix, and Niski stared in horror as the figure began to take shape, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy. The air seemed to grow colder, the shadows deepening into dark, malevolent pools.

As the figure began to move towards them, Takahishi grabbed Crinix's arm, his grip like a vice. Crinix could feel Takahishi's cold hand trembling with fear, his eyes wide with terror.

The figure loomed closer, its green glow illuminating the dark recesses of the basement. Takahishi's breath came in short gasps, his eyes fixed on the approaching figure.

As the figure drew closer, its features became clearer. Its hair was a wild tangle of green locks, its eyes glowing with an unnatural energy. Chains wrapped around its neck and wrists, and there were white bandages wrapped around both legs

The three of them stared in frozen horror.

Takahishi's whisper was barely audible, his voice trembling with fear. "W-w-what the hell is that thing?"

Niski and Crinix remained frozen, their eyes fixed on the approaching figure. The rattling of chains grew louder, echoing off the cold stone walls. But then, suddenly, there was silence. The three of them stood motionless, their ears straining to pick up any sound. The stillness was oppressive, heavy with anticipation.

The voice broke the silence, deep and thick, filled with an otherworldly power. "So you brats are the ones that freed me out of that book, huh?"

Takahishi felt a cold hand grasp his shoulder, sending shivers down his spine. His hair prickled up the back of his neck as he swallowed hard, his heart racing with fear. Slowly, he turned to face the speaker, his eyes wide with terror.

A figure stood behind him, its hand still clamped on Takahishi's shoulder. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural energy, piercing through the darkness. Takahishi's scream was trapped in his throat, his vocal cords frozen with fear.

Niski and Crinix spun around, their eyes wide with alarm. They jumped back, putting distance between themselves and the mysterious being .

Crinix's voice was shaking as he asked, "Who are you?"

The Ghost Reaper chuckled, its voice low and menacing. "I am the Ghost Reaper, King of Ghosts." Its hand remained clamped on Takahishi's shoulder, holding him in place.

Niski's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with memories. "The Ghost Reaper," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Ghost Reaper nodded, its chains rattling softly. "Yes, that's right. I will rule this world once again, but first, I need the book that sealed and trapped me inside to free my ghost army."

Niski's eyes widened, his memory sparked. "Huh, the book," he cried out, his voice filled with realization. "You came from the book?"

The Ghost Reaper chuckled, its voice dripping with malevolence. "Well done, boy. You figured it out. A long, long time ago, I fought a Grim Hunter, and he trapped me in that book. I've been trapped for a very long time, and thanks to you brats, I'm finally free again."

Crinix felt a stab of fear as he gazed at the Ghost Reaper. This thing was different, its power radiating like a palpable force. He took a step back, his eyes fixed on the Ghost Reaper, and his foot landed on something hard. He looked down, his eyes narrowing, and discovered he had stepped on the book. Swiftly, he picked it up, raising it high in the air like a talisman.

The Ghost Reaper's eyes locked onto the book, its gaze burning with an unnatural hunger. "Ah, the Book of Souls," it whispered, its voice dripping with longing. "I must have it."

Crinix held the Book of Souls aloft, his eyes locked on the Ghost Reaper . "You want this book, right?" he asked, his voice firm.

The Ghost Reaper's eyes narrowed, its gaze burning with intensity. "Yes, give it to me, boy," it demanded, its voice low and menacing.

Crinix hesitated, his eyes darting to Niski and Takahishi. "What will happen if we give it to you?" he asked, stalling for time.

The Ghost Reaper chuckled, its laughter sending shivers down their spines. "Well, if you give it to me, I won't kill you all. Since you brats freed me, I'll let you walk out of here alive."

Niski's eyes widened in alarm, and he took a step forward. "Hey, Crinix, what are you thinking? You're not planning to give him the book, are you?"

Crinix craned his neck, his eyes flashing with anger. "Shut up, Niski! We have no choice. Don't you see he has Takahishi? With no doubt, he might kill him!"

Niski's face darkened, his eyebrows lowering in anger. He balled his hands into fists and punched Crinix in the face. Crinix's head snapped back, his eyes flashing with rage. He rolled his fist and punched Niski in the face, sending him crashing to the floor.

The Ghost Reaper watched the exchange with confusion, its laughter dying on its lips. But as it saw Niski lying motionless on the floor, it burst into laughter again. "You chose the right side, boy! Your friend will thank you later!"

Crinix turned to the Ghost Reaper , rubbing his cheek. "Okay, I'm going to give you the book now, but first, let go of Takahishi."

The Ghost Reaper's gaze flicked to Takahishi, and it slowly removed its hand from his shoulder. "You are free to go, boy. Run along now."

Takahishi bolted to Crinix's side, wrapping his arms tightly around him. "Crinix, I'm really scared! I just want to get out of here!" he sobbed, his voice trembling.

Crinix comforted Takahishi, his eyes locked on the Ghost Reaper. "Hey, it's alright, Takahishi. We're going to be okay."

The Ghost Reaper's patience was wearing thin. "Now that I've let your friend go, give me the book, boy!"

Crinix chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He stared at Niski, who was still lying on the floor, and whispered, "Hey, Niski, wake up. The plan worked."

Niski sprang to his feet, wiping dirt off his face. He looked at Crinix and burst into laughter. "I guess this dumb thing bought our little act!"

Crinix grinned, his eyes sparkling with triumph. "Yeah, this thing must be dumb. I knew it wasn't smart enough to see it was all just an act."

The Ghost Reaper's face darkened, its eyes blazing with fury. "What's the meaning of this? You brats were toying around with me! Give me the book, or I'll kill you all!"

As the Ghost Reaper's anger grew, the bright green light surrounding it began to pulse and expand, filling the room with an eerie glow.

Niski's grin was a cold, calculated smile. "I'm afraid that's not going to happen, because we're going to kill you first."

Takahishi's eyes darted between Crinix and Niski, his face twisted in confusion. He took a step back, his hands shaking as he began to freak out. "What are you guys doing? Just give it the damn book! You'll get me killed along with you! I don't want to die!" His voice rose to a whine, panic etched on his face.

Crinix's eyes narrowed, his gaze locked on Takahishi. He smiled reassuringly, his voice calm. "Takahishi, relax. We've got this." He handed Takahishi the Book of Souls, his movements swift and precise.

As Takahishi took the book, Crinix's eyes locked onto his, his gaze burning with intensity. "Once the fight starts, run. Find the door and get out of here. Don't look back, just keep running."

Takahishi's eyes widened, his grip on the book tightening. He nodded, a small, determined smile on his face. For a moment, the three of them stood frozen, their eyes locked in a silent understanding. Then, as one, they turned to face the Ghost Reaper , their faces set with determination.