MHA Dungeon Master

After Mrs. Tanaka confessed the truth about the restaurant attack, the Masked Leader, who had been listening intently without expression, finally raised his hand. The short but powerful gesture was directed at his subordinates guarding the room, breaking the tense silence hanging in the air. "Gag her again," he ordered in a flat, ice-cold tone, showing no emotion whatsoever, as if Mrs. Tanaka's words were just meaningless passing wind.

Without waiting any longer, the two burly masked men moved quickly. They acted without any hesitation, efficiently carrying out their boss's orders. The rough cloth that had been removed was forcibly stuffed back into Mrs. Tanaka's mouth, once again silencing the muffled screams and sobs that had almost escaped.

Mrs. Tanaka herself had completely surrendered to her unfortunate fate, tears continuing to flow uncontrollably, erasing the heavy makeup that once adorned her face. Her eyes were vacant, yet filled with a desperate plea, fixed on the masked leader—seeking a glimmer of hope or mercy.

However, that hope did not come. The masked leader instead turned away, signaling to all his men to follow him. Without uttering another word, without giving any explanation or promise, they left the confinement room. Their footsteps were heavy and measured, creating small echoes in the silent room. They exited calmly, without any further torture or threats being issued.

The atmosphere, which had been chilling and tense, now felt slightly more… ambiguous. There was relief that the physical torture had stopped, but the uncertainty hanging in the air felt heavier and more worrying. Could the situation improve? Maybe… but who could be sure? In that stuffy and damp confinement room, Mrs. Tanaka could only wait helplessly, her fate entirely in the hands of these mysterious masked men.

Once the five masked men exited the confinement room and entered another room that looked very different, cleaner and more comfortable, strange changes began to occur. This new room was illuminated by soft lamplight, with minimalist yet elegant furniture. A stark contrast to the dark and gloomy confinement room.

In the middle of the new room, two of the five masked men suddenly stopped moving. Their bodies began to tremble violently, then, beyond comprehension, they melted. Not melting like ice thawing, but more like candles burning out, or butter heated on a hot pan. Their bodies turned into thick pools of dark red blood, their color flaming red like embers, reflecting the room's lamplight.

The pools of blood did not remain in place. They levitated, moving quickly across the clean ceramic floor, towards one of the masked figures standing upright in the middle of the room. That figure appeared taller and sturdier than the others, an aura of leadership radiating strongly from him. The pools of blood merged with the figure, as if absorbed into his body shrouded in a black cloak. There was no sound, no splatter, only a perfect and terrifying absorption.

Simultaneously with the strange absorption process, there were small but significant changes in the remaining three masked men. Their body shapes changed slightly, they became shorter than before. Their postures also changed, from sturdy and threatening to more… youthful and relaxed. And then, almost in unison, they removed the black masks that had been covering their faces.

One of them underwent the most striking change. His body gradually shrank, becoming shorter and slimmer. His bulging muscles disappeared, replaced by smoother and more feminine body curves. His hair, which had been jet black and short, now grew longer rapidly, changing color to a beautiful and shimmering purple. His once masculine and harsh face, slowly transformed into a beautiful and elegant woman's face. Her golden eyes radiated intelligence and serenity. It was Touma, Himaru's loyal subordinate, who had returned to her original form.

The other two masked figures also underwent similar changes, although not as extreme as Touma. Their bodies shrank slightly, the proportions of their faces became younger and more handsome, with sharp but gentle facial lines. Their hair, which had been red and blond, also changed color, becoming a soft and soothing sky blue, like the color of the morning sky. They were Clone Himaru and the original body of Himaru, now standing side by side in the room, looking at each other with an inscrutable gaze.

It was Clone Himaru who began to initiate the conversation, breaking the silence that had enveloped the three of them. "Are you alright with doing something like this, with your aspirations of being a Pro Hero?" he asked in a serious tone to his original body, fine lines appearing between his brows, a slight hesitation clearly implied in his voice. He knew very well that their actions this time were in the gray area of morality, far from the ideal image of a hero that Himaru had always dreamed of. Kidnapping, torture, and planned murder, all of these were not the actions of a hero, but the actions of a villain.

The original body of Himaru turned slowly to his clone, looking at him with a flat but unshakable gaze of conviction. "You are my clone," Himaru replied briefly, but every word he spoke had weight and deep meaning. "So, you must already know what I'm thinking, right?" Himaru did not feel the need to explain at length or argue, he was sure his clone must already understand his train of thought, because they shared the same soul and mind.

Then, Himaru shifted his gaze to Touma, asking in a softer tone but still seeking her opinion, "What do you think, Touma?" He valued Touma as his most loyal and competent subordinate, her opinion he always considered.

Touma, who now stood gracefully in her beautiful female form, smiled gently at Himaru. Her golden eyes sparkled with admiration and boundless loyalty to her master. "In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with the decision made by Himaru-sama," Touma replied firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Besides, even if Himaru-sama makes a mistake…" Touma deliberately paused her sentence, as if implying that in her mind, Himaru could not possibly make a mistake. "…I will definitely remain loyal to follow Himaru-sama!" Touma continued with an ever-widening smile. Touma was indeed the perfect subordinate, always supporting and justifying every decision of her master, even the most controversial ones.

Himaru nodded in satisfaction upon hearing Touma's answer. He felt strengthened and increasingly confident that his decision this time was not wrong. "Yes, I also don't feel like I've made the wrong decision!" Himaru said again, reaffirming his conviction in a more resolute tone of voice. "After all, the Hero I want to be is not a Hero who can forgive enemies who might threaten his family's safety." Himaru's tone of voice sounded firm and cold, showing his unwavering determination to protect his family by any means, even if it meant sacrificing the morality of an ideal hero.

"After all, me becoming a Hero…" Himaru continued his explanation, this time in a deeper and more contemplative tone, as if he was formulating his own version of the definition of a hero. "…is because I really want to be like that, regardless of other people's views and what they think. You could say… it's my hobby." Himaru revealed the essence of his own hero definition, a hero who acted according to his own desires, not because of the demands or expectations of others. He wanted to be a hero because it was his choice, his hobby, not because of obligation or external pressure.

"Just as expected of Himaru-sama!" Touma again gave her full support, her smile widening and brightening, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Himaru-sama always has different and extraordinary views!" However, Touma then continued with a question that slightly bothered her mind. "But Himaru-sama, will you release the two children of that Tanaka man?"

"No!" Himaru replied firmly, without the slightest hesitation. The answer was blurted out so quickly and surely, indicating that his decision was final and non-negotiable. "I will not allow something that could threaten my family's safety to continue to exist in this world." Himaru's tone of voice returned to being cold and merciless, showing that he would not give the slightest tolerance to potential threats, no matter how small, especially if the threat came from the Tanaka family.

"So, Touma," Himaru gave a clear and terrible order, an order that would end the lives of two possibly innocent people. "Tomorrow morning, sink them into the sea, let their corpses be eaten by fish. But before that… I will kill that Tanaka man myself. This is also a good opportunity to experience my first murder, so that I will no longer be afraid if I have to face situations like this." Himaru explained his reasons in a flat tone, as if killing someone was just ordinary practice to improve his experience.

"Yes, Himaru-sama!" Touma immediately reciprocated Himaru's order respectfully, bowing her body slightly as a sign of obedience. As the perfect subordinate, she always fully supported the decisions and orders of her master, her loyalty to Himaru never wavered, even for the most gruesome orders.

---

The scene then shifted to Himaru's room, night had fallen, the atmosphere was silent and dimly lit, only illuminated by the faint moonlight seeping through the window curtain slits. Himaru lay supine on his soft mattress, staring blankly at the bedroom ceiling. His mind was racing, contemplating the various things that had just happened and the heavy decisions he had made today. First murder, the fate of the Tanaka family, his own definition of a hero, all mixed together in his mind.

Meanwhile, Clone Himaru excused himself to go out, saying he wanted to get some fresh air. As for the reason why Clone Himaru had not been eliminated all this time, it was because the original body of Himaru still felt it was difficult to create a clone that was truly independent and durable like this one. This clone was an almost perfect prototype, possessing extraordinary intelligence, strength, and independence.

Before successfully conquering the Dungeon BOSS on the second floor, this special clone would be maintained as a valuable asset.

(Himaru's Monologue)

(Sighing softly, Himaru looked at the dim bedroom ceiling, his mind wandering far away) Heroes... People like Deku, like All Might... It's impossible for me to hate them. In fact, I respect them. They… they have extraordinary dedication. Devoting their whole souls and bodies for others. That's not an easy thing, really. Especially when considering how chaotic this world is. And if only... if only the people they saved were people I knew, people I cared about... That's what makes me appreciate people like them.

(Himaru changed his lying position, looking sideways, towards the dark wall of his room) But... but I'm not them. I don't have that kind of soul calling. I will never be able to become like a symbol of peace who can sacrifice everything. No. My life path is different. I will become a hero... yes, but in my own way. My own definition of a hero. My priority is clear. Family. That's number one, without compromise. Then my loved ones. Those who are truly important in my life. Only after that... if there is a chance, if I have more than enough power... maybe I will help others. Maybe. That too, if it's not troublesome and doesn't threaten my priorities.

(A thin cynical smile etched on Himaru's lips) I know... I can guess what's on people's minds. 'What kind of hero is he?' 'So selfish.' 'Not a true hero.' Let them be. I don't care about what other people say. A true hero for me is like this. Protecting the people you love. Protecting your family. What's the point of saving the world if your own family falls apart? It doesn't make sense. I will never leave them for others I don't even know. Family is the core of everything. And I... I will make sure no one, no one dares to threaten their safety. That's my promise.

(Himaru looked back at the ceiling, his eyes glazed over, recalling the figure of All Might) All Might... He is indeed a legend. An unshakable symbol of peace. But... all of that comes at a price. He sacrificed everything. Personal happiness, family… all for the world. But look… he's alone. He's been alone from the beginning. (Himaru shook his head slowly) Not that I mean to belittle All Might, not at all. I even feel sincere sympathy for him. The sacrifice he made... it's not just about strength or time. But mental. He had prepared himself, resolved to become a real hero, a true hero, by not marrying, not having a family. Because he himself said… family is a weakness. A weakness when you have to face an enemy as strong as All For One. He is right. But...

(Himaru closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath) I appreciate his decision. I deeply appreciate his sacrifice. But again... our life paths are different. I will not imitate him. Never. My family is still complete. They are alive, they are healthy, they are happy… I will not let anything, anyone, threaten that happiness. I will become a hero who protects them. In any way. Even dirty ways. Dirtying my hands with blood… it's not a problem. For them, I am willing.

(Himaru's eyes reopened, staring at the ceiling with a sharper, more focused gaze) Honestly… deep down, my main reason for wanting to become a hero is… for the license. A permit to use a quirk. That's the best legal shield. To protect myself. To protect my family. In this world full of quirks and villains… a hero license is not just a title. But a necessity. A pragmatic necessity. The most fundamental reason. The most important.

(Himaru shifted his gaze, now looking towards the bedroom door, as if seeing the future) Now… the Tanaka family affair is settled. That threat has been overcome. It's time to return to the dungeon. Touma must be ready too. Dungeon… and power. That's the key to everything. Power to protect my family. Power to realize my dreams. Power to live freely, without fear. Dungeon… wait for my return. I will come, and this time… I will conquer you."