Niski's smirk grew wider as he replied, "Um, about that, brother, we told him to run and take the book and hide, as a means to prevent the Ghost Reaper from getting it. So don't worry, the book is safe."

Kinski's expression turned grave, his eyes burning with urgency. "You kids don't understand the situation you're in right now. That thing is probably heading for the book, and once it does, the entire Shadow Realm is in danger."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Niski and Crinix. "We have to find the book before he does, and that book is the only way for us to stop him."

Niski's brow furrowed in confusion. "But brother, is that book really important? Why can't we just find it and tear it apart?"

Kinski's eyes flashed with exasperation. "You kids are ignorant, you don't understand anything at all. Like I said, that book is the only thing that can stop him. Think for a second, why he wants the book so badly."

Niski shrugged, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Well, it's because he wants to free his ghost army or whatever."

Kinski's expression turned stern. "That's correct, but at the same time, you're wrong."

Niski's eyes widened in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean, brother?"

Kinski's gaze bore into Niski's. "Just think, after he gets the book and frees his ghost army, what do you think he's going to do with the book?"

Niski's face scrunched up in thought, his hand rubbing his head in frustration. "Um, I don't know."

Kinski's eyes flicked to Crinix, his expression serious. "After he gets the book, he's going to destroy it. Do you know why..."

But before Kinski could finish, Crinix's eyes lit up with understanding. "I finally get it! He'll destroy the book because it's the only thing that can stop him by trapping him inside the book again!"

Kinski's face broke into a wide grin, his eyes shining with approval. "Well done, kid! You're clever!"

Niski's eyes widened in surprise, his voice laced with realization. "Wait a sec, you mean all this time, we could have simply used the book to trap him inside it again?"

Kinski's grin faltered, his expression turning serious once more. "Yes, you could have done that. Didn't you kids consider the possibility that it might work?"

Niski's face scrunched up in thought, his voice laced with regret. "Huh, if you put it that way, honestly, I never thought of that. I just wanted to fight him, that's all."

Crinix's eyes narrowed in thought. "But are you sure it'll work? Can we really trap him inside the book again?"

Kinski's expression turned uncertain, his eyes clouding over with doubt. "Well, it might, and it might not. But we'll just have to give it a try."

Niski's face set in determination, his fists clenched at his sides. "I don't care if it works or not. If it doesn't, we'll just have to beat the crap out of that thing!"

Kinski's voice thundered through the basement, silencing Niski's chatter. "Shut up, Niski! Now's not the time. After all, this is your mess, and you have some explaining to do!"

He paused, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Crinix. "But let's find this Takahishi and the book. You kids have any idea where he went?"

Crinix's voice was hesitant, but he replied, "I think he found the door that leads out of this basement, and he's probably hiding out somewhere in this house."

Kinski's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched in determination. "Okay, very well then. Let's find him before he does, and I sense that your friend might also be in danger."

With those words, Kinski began to pace towards Crinix and Niski, his hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully. The three of them set off on their search for Takahishi and the Book of Souls.

Meanwhile, Takahishi had found a room to hide in, his body trembling with fear as he clutched the book tightly to his chest. He had squeezed himself under the bed, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum. His lips were pressed together, preventing a scream from escaping his throat.

As he lay there, his eyes fixed on the door, waiting for someone - or something - to come marching through it. His heart skipped a beat as he thought of Crinix, wondering if his friend was safe.

Takahishi's thoughts began to spiral out of control, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. He closed his eyes, hoping that someone would come and rescue him soon.

But his reprieve was short-lived. Takahishi's eyes snapped open as he heard the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway. His heart skipped a beat as he heard the door handle being gently twisted, followed by the sound of the lock clicking into place.

To his surprise, the door didn't open. Instead, the door handle was twisted again, this time with more force. Takahishi's eyes widened as he realized someone was trying to break in.

The silence that followed was oppressive, Takahishi's heart pounding in his chest as he waited for the unknown person to make their next move. Suddenly, the footsteps retreated, fading into the distance.

Takahishi's body remained frozen, his heart still racing with fear. Slowly, he stuck his head out from under the bed, his eyes fixed on the door. He then crawled out from his hiding spot, his legs shaking beneath him.

As he approached the door, Takahishi's hand trembled as he reached for the door handle. He took a deep breath, slowly twisting the handle, but to his surprise, the door was locked.

"I swear, this thing wasn't locked when I got here," Takahishi muttered to himself, his voice shaking with fear. "Man, this house is scary."

Just as Takahishi was about to give up, he heard the sound of footsteps again, this time moving quickly down the hallway. But they stopped abruptly, leaving an oppressive silence in their wake.

Takahishi's eyes remained fixed on the door, his heart pounding in his chest. And then, he heard it - the rattling sound of metal, followed by the sound of a key being inserted into the lock.

Takahishi's hand flew to his mouth, his eyes wide with terror as he realized someone was unlocking the door. The sound of the lock clicking open seemed to echo through the room, and Takahishi's heart sank. He was trapped.

The door creaked open, and Takahishi's eyes locked onto the shadowy figure standing in the entrance. He took a step back, his heart racing with fear, as the figure began to move towards him.

Takahishi's eyes narrowed, trying to make out the features of the approaching figure. But as it drew closer, he realized he was trapped, his back against the wall. Literally.

He pressed himself against the cold surface, hoping to blend into it, as the figure loomed over him. But when it spoke, Takahishi's fear gave way to surprise.