malereader x hells paradise

CHAPTER 6: Twilight Jungle

POV: Sagiri

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Just as we thought we had escaped, a massive creature emerged from the earth—a beast with a body made of twisted roots and stone. The ground shook violently as the monster rose to its full height, towering over the surrounding trees. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its roar echoed through the jungle, sending chills down my spine.

I tightened my grip on my blade, my heart pounding in my chest. The creature was unlike anything I had ever encountered—an abomination born from the very earth itself. The island was alive, and it seemed determined to end us.

“Stay sharp!” Y/N called out, their voice cutting through the chaos. “We need to take it down, or it’ll tear us apart!”

Yuzuriha was already moving, her agile form darting between the trees as she prepared to strike. Y/N followed suit, their movements precise and calculated. But as I watched them, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in my gut. This island—its dangers were more than just physical. There was something deeply wrong with this place, something that preyed on our fears and insecurities.

As I stepped forward, ready to join the fray, a flood of memories washed over me. I was no longer in the jungle but back in Edo, standing in the execution grounds with my sword in hand. The air was thick with tension, the crowd’s eyes on me as I prepared to carry out my duty.

My father’s voice echoed in my mind: *“An executioner must be unwavering. Our duty is to deliver justice, no matter the cost.”*

But was it justice? Or was it something else entirely? The doubts that had plagued me for years resurfaced, threatening to overwhelm me. I had taken so many lives in the name of the law, but each one weighed heavily on my soul.

“Sagiri, focus!” Y/N’s voice snapped me back to the present.

I shook my head, pushing the memories aside. Now was not the time for reflection—I needed to survive, and that meant fighting with everything I had. I moved forward, joining Y/N and Yuzuriha in their assault on the creature.

The battle was fierce. The creature’s massive limbs swung with terrifying force, smashing through trees and sending debris flying in every direction. But we were relentless, our strikes landing with precision and determination. Yuzuriha’s agility allowed her to evade the creature’s attacks while delivering swift blows, and Y/N’s calm and strategic approach kept the creature off balance.

As I fought, I felt the familiar weight of my father’s expectations pressing down on me. He had always believed that I would follow in his footsteps, becoming an executioner worthy of the Yamada Asaemon name. But was that truly my destiny? Was this endless cycle of death and duty all there was to my life?

My thoughts were interrupted as the creature let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing violently. It was weakening, but not fast enough. We needed to end this before it could recover.

“Yuzuriha, flank it!” Y/N shouted. “Sagiri, with me!”

I nodded, moving in sync with Y/N as we pressed the attack. The creature’s defenses were crumbling, and with one final, coordinated strike, we brought it down. The beast let out a final, mournful cry before collapsing into a heap of roots and stone.

As the dust settled, I stood there, catching my breath. The battle was over, but the unease that had gripped me earlier remained. This island—its very essence seemed to be designed to test us, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

“We did it,” Yuzuriha said, though her voice lacked the usual lightness. “But this place… it’s getting to us, isn’t it?”

Y/N nodded, their expression serious. “This island is more than just a place of danger. It’s testing us in ways we didn’t expect. We need to stay strong, not just in body but in mind.”

I looked at Y/N, feeling a mix of admiration and envy. They carried themselves with such calm confidence, as if nothing could shake their resolve. I wanted to be like that—to be unwavering in the face of danger and doubt.

But as we continued through the jungle, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched—not by the island’s creatures but by something else. The shadows seemed to move with a life of their own, and the air grew colder with each step.

It was then that we emerged into a twilight-shrouded clearing. The light here was strange, neither day nor night, casting everything in an eerie glow. The trees were taller, their branches twisted into unnatural shapes that seemed to reach out like claws.

As we moved cautiously through the clearing, a figure stepped out from behind one of the massive trees. His presence was commanding, his gaze sharp and unyielding. I recognized him immediately—Asaemon Shugen, one of the most feared and respected executioners in our ranks.

“Shugen,” I breathed, a mix of relief and apprehension washing over me. His reputation preceded him—cold, efficient, and utterly ruthless in his duty.

“Sagiri,” Shugen replied, his voice as steady as ever. He glanced at Y/N and Yuzuriha, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve survived this long. Impressive.”

I nodded, still trying to process the sight of him here. “What are you doing on this island?”

Shugen’s expression remained unreadable. “The same as you—completing my mission. But this island… it’s unlike anything we’ve ever faced. We need to be vigilant.”

Y/N stepped forward, their tone respectful but firm. “We should work together. The dangers here are too great for us to be divided.”

Shugen considered this for a moment before nodding. “Agreed. But make no mistake—we are still executioners, and our duty remains unchanged.”

The tension in the air was palpable as we joined forces, each of us aware that the island would continue to test us. The journey ahead was uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure—we needed to stay united if we were to survive.

As we moved deeper into the twilight-shrouded jungle, the sounds of the island grew louder, more ominous. The shadows lengthened, and the air grew colder, sending a shiver down my spine.

The island was far from done with us. But as I walked alongside my comrades, I resolved to push past my doubts and fears. I would face whatever this island threw at me head-on. I would prove to myself that I was more than just an executioner—I was someone who could survive, who could endure, and who could rise above the challenges that lay ahead.