"Hey, what are you doing inside Mr. Kinski's bedroom?" a stern voice asked.

Takahishi's eyes widened as he recognized the voice. It was the woman they had met earlier, the one with the long black dress and apron. He let out a sigh of relief, his body sagging against the wall.

"Oh it's you," he whispered, his hand on his chest.

The woman's expression softened, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "What are you even doing here? Were you boys playing hide and seek?"

Takahishi opened his mouth to explain, but his words tumbled out in a jumbled mess. "Um-um, you see, there was this weird room, and we fell, and the basement, and the book, and this green man..."

The woman's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Hey, slow down. You'll have to explain everything to me over dinner."

Takahishi's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Dinner?"

The woman nodded, her smile growing wider. "Yeah, it's already evening. I prepared dinner, and I was looking for Mr. Kinski Narukami to tell him it's ready."

As she turned to leave, Takahishi's mind reeled with questions. What about Niski and Crinix? Were they okay? He stumbled after the woman, his eyes fixed on her back.

"Huh, you mean Niski and...?" he stammered, his voice trailing off.

The woman turned, her expression softening.

"Y-you mean, they're fine?"

Takahishi's eyes narrowed, his heart racing with worry. But the woman's gentle smile reassured him.

"Why wouldn't they be? We must hurry; they're both waiting for you."

Takahishi's doubts began to dissipate as he followed the woman through the dark hallway. They passed by several rooms, the silence between them punctuated only by the creaking of the floorboards.

As they walked, Takahishi's curiosity grew. What had happened to Niski and Crinix? Had they really defeated the Ghost Reaper? He quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on the woman's back.

Just as they turned a corner, the woman slowed, her eyes glinting in the dim light. She craned her neck, her gaze meeting Takahishi's.

The woman's gaze drifted to the book clutched tightly in Takahishi's hands, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What's that you're holding?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Takahishi's grip on the book tightened, his eyes darting to the woman before returning to the book. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he whispered, "It's just a book."

The woman's eyes lingered on the book, her expression skeptical. "Oh, you like reading books? What's it about? Is it a novel?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement.

Takahishi's face twisted in a grimace, his teeth gritted in frustration. "This book is an evil book," he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman's laughter was like a cold splash of water, her eyes glinting with sarcasm. "Oh, an evil book, really? That's scary," she said, her voice dripping with mockery.

Takahishi's eyes flashed with anger, his face darkening in a scowl. If only she knew how dangerous this book was, he thought, his mind seething with frustration.

The woman's laughter died down, her eyes refocusing on the book. "Can I see this evil book?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity, as she leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the book.

Takahishi's grip on the book tightened, his arms wrapping around it protectively. "I'm sorry, but I can't. This book might put you in danger," he said, his voice firm but apologetic.

The woman's eyes sparkled with intrigue, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "Now I'm more interested in this evil book. Please show it to me."

Takahishi's face set in a determined expression, his teeth gritted in frustration. "I said no. You don't understand how dangerous this book is!"

The woman's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, I understand."

The silence that followed was oppressive, Takahishi feeling a pang of guilt for snapping at the woman. They continued walking, the only sound being the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath their feet.

As they walked the hallway seemed endless like they were walking in circles , Takahishi's eyes remained fixed on the book, his mind racing with thoughts of Crinix and Niski. Where were they? Were they safe?

The woman's soft voice broke the silence, her eyes flicking to Takahishi's tired face. "Are you tired? We're almost there."

Takahishi's shoulders sagged, his feet dragging slightly as he walked. "I'm beginning to feel tired. How long do we have to keep going?"

The woman's smile was reassuring, her voice soft and gentle. "Don't worry, we're almost there. We'll meet up with your friends soon."

As she spoke, her eyes drifted to the book, her expression thoughtful. "If you're feeling tired, why don't you let me carry that book for you?"

Takahishi's grip on the book tightened, his eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and determination. "Nah, I'm okay."

The woman's eyes locked onto Takahishi's, her voice soft and urgent. "Takahishi, your friends are waiting for you. We must hurry if we want to meet up with them quickly. Crinix might be worried about you, so please let me carry that book for you."

She stretched out her hand, her smile gentle and reassuring. Takahishi's gaze drifted to the book, his fingers tightening around it. He hesitated for a moment before slowly removing it from his chest and holding it out with his right hand.

The woman's grin grew wider as she reached for the book, her fingers closing around the edge. But just as she did, Takahishi's grip on the book tightened, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Wait a second," he said, his voice low and cautious. "How did you know Crinix's name? I never mentioned it to you."

The woman's laughter was sudden and unsettling, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I guess I can't continue lying," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Takahishi's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. "Huh w-what do you mean...y-you mean you've been lying to me this whole time?"

The woman's laughter grew louder, her eyes flashing with a malevolent light. "Everything will be made clear soon," she hissed, "but for now...JUST GIVE ME THE STUPID BOOK!"

Her voice was deep and menacing, her eyes blazing with an otherworldly green light. She grabbed the book with both hands, trying to wrench it from Takahishi's grasp. But he refused to let go, his fingers digging deep into the cover.

The two of them engaged in a fierce tug-of-war, the book straining against their combined strength. Takahishi's face twisted with effort, his legs trembling beneath him.

Finally, with a sudden burst of strength, Takahishi managed to yank the book free from the woman's grasp. He stumbled backward, his legs shaking beneath him.

As he looked up, he saw the woman's face contorted in a snarl, her eyes blazing with an eerie green light. Her body began to glow, a bright green aura enveloping her.

"I guess it's time to lose this body," she hissed, her voice deep and menacing.

The air around her seemed to ripple and distort, as if reality itself was bending to accommodate her transformation. A blinding green light enveloped the hallway, forcing Takahishi to close his eyes.

When he opened them again, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold. The woman lay motionless on the floor, but standing over her was a figure that made Takahishi's heart freeze with terror.