The Baku continued chasing after me, and I was running out of ideas on how to capture it. It didn't help that the beasts I had captured so far were not attack-type beasts. Hell, this beast did not look like something I could just use talk-no-jutsu on, like Naruto senpai did to his foes or anything like that. The centaur, in all fairness, seemed to have unlimited stamina, but we couldn't run forever. At some point, we needed to catch the beast so we could all go back to the real world.
"Think… think… think…" I muttered to myself.
I analyzed the situation. The Baku imprisons its victims in the dreamland while their physical bodies are left in the real world, sleeping. What if the situation were inverted? What if the Baku went to the real world? Would it change anything? I theorized that this beast might not be as formidable outside its dominion.
"But how do I bring it outside?" I wondered aloud.
Then suddenly, a light bulb flickered in my head. "Book Open!" I summoned the book, flipping through the pages frantically. It didn't help that I was horse-backriding while at it, and much worse, the stupid book didn't have a freakin' table of contents with beasts' names arranged in alphabetical order. I had to literally do everything manually to see if I could get some information of use to counter the Baku. I wished it was like some video game where I could easily look into the skills, weaknesses, and cheats of my rivals.
"This book is old and useless!" I grumbled. "But if I can trick it into thinking it's outside the dreamland or whatever this stinking place is called, maybe, just maybe, it'll get distracted, and I can buy myself enough time to capture and seal it back in the book."
It was a long shot, really, but at this point, I had to try everything. Otherwise, we'd all sleep like Snow White forever, and yeah, the prince ain't coming this time.
The plan was to set up a mental trap for the Baku, so it would think it was in the real world not in Disneyland. My mind kept coming up with these silly analogies, it's my natural reaction to stress. Coping mechanism—thinking up something funny to lighten the mood, which is great, but not very helpful when you're being chased by a nightmarish beast.
So, going back to the plan, I just had to find a clearing in the forest, lead the Baku through it, and then use the wisps's ability to summon an illusion leading it back to the bustling city of New York. When I saw a clearing, I commanded the centaur to head towards it.
"Hihooo!! Hijaaa!" Damn it, I felt like a rodeo cowboy or something like that. The centaur doubled up its speed, just enough to put us ahead of the Baku that was chasing us so we could set up the trap. When we reached the clearing, I sealed back the centaur and called forth Will-o'the-wisp: "By moon's light and shadows deep, awaken beasts from ancient sleep."
Will-o'the-wisp explode into a blinding light, and the surroundings slowly transformed into a busy New York street just as the Baku entered the clearing. It almost stopped and circled back, but it was too late. I was already waiting and preparing myself. I summoned the book's power, and a bright light started strangling the Baku into submission. It fought valiantly, and we were like having tug-of-war with me unquestionably the underdog.
One thing I did not account for in this plan was how long I could keep the book open with my spiritual energy, which was next to none at my level, while still maintaining the illusion the wisp created. I bet the only reason the Baku couldn't overpower me was that it thought it was outside it's dominion. I'm glad it's an idiot of a beast. The only thing that could betray my plan was if I ran out of spiritual energy and wisp's illusion vanished, which was something that would happen in the not-so-distant future.
I felt exhausted. I could even see wisp's illusion starting to fall apart, but thankfully, the Baku didn't notice it yet. The tug-of-war continued, and just when I felt like I was losing, a new energy surged through me. In front of me, the book shimmered: New Skill Acquired—Autopilot.
I was like, "What the hell??"
Book: Autopilot is a skill that lets the system take full control when it notices you're in grave danger.
Book: Running diagnostics, 50%...
"Oh, by all means, take your time," I muttered sarcastically. "It's not like I'm in a hurry."
Book: My systems are not in full functionality. Please capture more beasts for a level up.
"Great, isn't that what I'm doing right now?" I told the book sarcastically.
Book: Full diagnostics at 100%. Activating vitality liquid from inventory in 10... 9...
"A fucking countdown??? Seriously????" I was on my last league and this goddamn book was sluggish like an ancient model of Microsoft operating system at my grandma's house. Like, wtf???
I held on long enough until I felt my body being replenished by the vitality liquid. I found new strength to subdue the Baku, which I wasted no time doing. When I felt it weakening, I chanted the sealing spell: "By moon's light and shadows deep, return to your eternal keep." The Baku was enveloped in a blinding light and was sealed back into the book.
Book: Sealing complete. Congratulations on your fourth beast capture. Armor quip has been added to your inventory.
"What is that?"
Book: Armor quip let's you choose an armor suited for a specific quest.
"What are you, Vogue or something?"
Book: Autopilot deactivated. System downtime: 24 hrs.
And just like that, the Baku's dreamland started disappearing. When I woke up, I was back in my physical body again. Pororo was still fast asleep drooling, and I doubted he had the slightest idea of what had happened, but I was glad Dad and Kanao were already awake.
They were frantically moving around and about when they realized they were late for their appointments for the day. I just stood there, mocking them, telling them now they knew exactly how I felt when I woke up late.
Dad, still in his pajamas, fumbled with his coffee mug. "I can't believe I overslept. I had a meeting at 9!"
Kanao, with her hair in a messy bun, was rushing to find her sneakers. "I'm late for the school shoot!" My professor would kill me!
I leaned against the doorway, grinning. "Welcome to my world, folks."