malereader x hells paradise

Chapter 7: The Hidden Path

POV: Y/N

---

The dense foliage of the island obscured the path ahead, but Y/N’s senses were keen, attuned to every sound and movement. The group had been walking for hours, and the tension among them was palpable. The air was thick with humidity, making it difficult to breathe. The island was unforgiving, and every step felt like a struggle against an invisible force that sought to pull them down.

“Something’s not right,” Y/N muttered, narrowing their eyes as they scanned the surroundings. The jungle was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. It was as if the island itself was watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Yuzuriha, always perceptive, nodded in agreement. “I feel it too. We should be careful.”

Sagiri, her sword always at the ready, was the first to step forward. “We need to keep moving. Staying in one place for too long could be dangerous.”

As they moved deeper into the jungle, the path became narrower, forcing the group to walk in a single file. The vegetation was thicker here, and Y/N had to use their blade to cut through the vines and branches that blocked their way. It was then that they noticed something strange—a faint, almost imperceptible trail on the ground.

“Wait,” Y/N called out, causing the others to stop. They knelt down, examining the ground closely. The trail was old, but it was definitely man-made. It was as if someone had deliberately covered their tracks, but not well enough to escape Y/N’s sharp eyes.

“This way,” Y/N said, leading the group off the main path and into the dense undergrowth. The trail was difficult to follow, but Y/N’s instincts guided them. After several minutes of navigating through the thick foliage, they came upon an ancient, hidden path.

The path was unlike anything they had seen before. The ground was paved with stones, worn smooth by time, and the trees overhead formed a natural archway, casting long shadows on the ground. The air here was different—cooler, and filled with the scent of earth and moss.

“This must be a forgotten part of the island,” Nurugai whispered, her eyes wide with awe. “It’s like it’s been untouched for centuries.”

Y/N nodded, but their attention was focused on the path ahead. Something about this place felt off. It was too quiet, too perfect, as if it were deliberately designed to lure them in.

As they continued down the path, the trees began to thin out, revealing an open clearing. In the center of the clearing stood two figures, both clad in the familiar garb of the Yamada Asaemon.

“Kisho? Fuchi?” Sagiri called out, recognizing the figures immediately.

The two Asaemons turned to face the group, their expressions a mix of surprise and relief. “Sagiri, Y/N,” Kisho said, stepping forward. “We didn’t expect to see you here.”

Fuchi, ever the stoic, simply nodded in acknowledgment. “It seems fate has brought us together again.”

Before they could exchange pleasantries, a slow clap echoed through the clearing, drawing everyone’s attention. From the shadows, a slender figure emerged—Akaginu, a notorious criminal known for her cunning and manipulation.

“Well, isn’t this a touching reunion,” Akaginu sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. “It’s almost enough to make me forget the bloodshed that’s about to occur.”

Y/N’s grip tightened on their blade, eyes narrowing at the criminal. “What do you want, Akaginu?”

Akaginu smirked, taking a step closer. “Oh, I’m not here to fight, at least not directly. I’m here to watch the show.”

Without warning, she threw a handful of powder into the air. The powder sparkled in the sunlight, and within moments, a thick, acrid smoke filled the clearing. The group was instantly on high alert, weapons drawn, but the smoke was disorienting, making it difficult to see or breathe.

“Stay together!” Sagiri ordered, her voice barely audible over the chaos.

But it was too late. In the confusion, Akaginu had vanished, and the group was left in the midst of the swirling smoke. Y/N’s mind raced as they tried to assess the situation. This was no ordinary attack—Akaginu was trying to turn them against each other.

“Don’t let her get to you!” Y/N shouted, trying to keep the group focused. “She wants us to fight each other!”

But the smoke was making it difficult to think clearly. Y/N could feel their senses dulling, their thoughts becoming muddled. They had to act fast before the situation spiraled out of control.

Taking a deep breath, Y/N centered themselves, focusing on their training. They had faced worse than this—this was just another challenge. With a sharp movement, they swung their blade, creating a gust of wind that dispersed the smoke around them.

“Everyone, stay calm,” Y/N said, their voice steady. “We’re not alone in this.”

One by one, the others emerged from the smoke, their expressions tense but resolute. Kisho and Fuchi were the last to appear, both of them on high alert.

“She’s gone,” Kisho said, scanning the area. “But she won’t be far.”

“She’s trying to turn us against each other,” Fuchi added, his voice cold. “We need to stay united.”

Y/N nodded, sheathing their blade. “We won’t let her win. We’ll deal with her when the time comes. For now, we need to stick together and keep moving.”

The group quickly regrouped, the encounter with Akaginu serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked on the island. As they continued down the hidden path, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning—that the island had much more in store for them.

But they were ready. Together, they would face whatever came their way, and they would survive—no matter the cost.

---

End of Chapter 7