MHA Dungeon Master

Currently, in the living room of my house, Emilia, Father, Mother, Ryuko-nee, my new bodyguard Touma, and I were gathered together. The atmosphere in the room felt warm and familiar, but there was a slight tension hanging in the air because I had told them I was going to reveal something very important.

The crystal chandelier in the center of the room emitted a soft light, illuminating the faces that were looking at me expectantly. The aroma of chamomile tea brewed by Mother filled the room, attempting to soothe nerves that might be starting to fray.

Everyone seemed to be trying to act relaxed, sitting quietly on the sofas and chairs that surrounded the low table. However, I could clearly see the curiosity and anticipation radiating from their eyes.

Emilia, with her big, round eyes, stared at me unblinking, while Ryuko-nee crossed her arms in front of her chest, showing a hero's composure, although her gaze held a million questions.

Father, with a slightly furrowed brow, seemed to be weighing the possibilities of what I was about to say, and Mother, despite trying to smile gently, emanated a hint of worry in her eyes. Only Touma, with her perpetually calm facial expression, seemed unaffected by the underlying tension.

Now the moment had arrived. I was about to reveal several secrets that I had long kept from them. Secrets that might change how they saw me, our world, even reality itself. My heart was pounding like a war drum ready to be sounded, but I had to do this. Honesty is the foundation of trust, and I wanted to build a solid foundation with my family.

"Listen, everyone, there's something I need to tell you," I began, my voice sounding a little heavier than usual. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself before continuing. "I lied to you all about my quirk being a Training Specialist. In reality, I have a very special quirk called [Dungeon Master]. With this quirk, I can level up by fighting monsters in my own dungeon." The words were finally spoken, hanging in the air like a time bomb that had just been activated.

Father frowned, his brow furrowing deeper as he tried to digest the information he had just heard. "Why didn't you tell us earlier, Himaru?" he asked in a soft but concerned voice. His tone wasn't judgmental, only seeking to understand the reasons behind this secrecy.

"There are several reasons why I hid it," I replied, trying to explain calmly and rationally. "First, because the dungeon I can enter is only level one. Second, I was very busy with various things, including game development. Third, Emilia wasn't old enough to understand the potential risks. And lastly, I was worried I might get kidnapped because my quirk could make people stronger." Each reason I put forward was a representation of the long considerations I had thoroughly thought through.

Emilia looked at me with wide and curious eyes, her head tilted slightly to the side. "Is that why you always sleep late and often look tired?" she asked innocently. This simple question from Emilia pierced my heart the deepest.

"Yes, Emilia," I replied gently, affectionately stroking her hair. "I wanted to make sure we were all safe and well-protected. That's why I worked hard fighting monsters at night to develop my abilities." I smiled at her, trying to reassure her that everything I did was for our common good.

"I understand now," Ryuko-nee chimed in, nodding slightly. "But why are you telling us now?" Her question went straight to the heart of the matter, demanding a reason why I had finally decided to reveal this secret.

"I feel this is the right time. We are all more prepared to face whatever might happen," I said firmly, looking at each member of my family one by one. "And I want to invite you all to enter the dungeon with me so we can level up and have good protection in this world." This invitation was the culmination of this revelation, an offer to share strength and adventure together.

"Is it safe?" Mother asked with a worried tone, her eyes radiating a mother's anxiety. She gripped my hand tightly, as if seeking reassurance and protection.

"Of course, Mother. I've made sure everything is as safe as possible. We will only be fighting monsters like vampires, but don't worry, each of us has three extra lives, so if we die in the dungeon, we can still revive three times each day," I explained, trying to reassure her with details of the dungeon's safety system. I cupped her hand with both of mine, channeling confidence and security.

"Alright, then. We trust you, Himaru, but is it okay to tell her..." Father said, finally directing his gaze towards Makishima Touma, a slight doubt etched on his face. Father's question showed his caution, considering the implications of sharing this secret with an outsider.

"It's okay, Father. This is also a secret I wanted to share with you. Touma isn't actually from this world," I said calmly, as if this was just ordinary news shared at breakfast. I glanced at Touma, who only responded with a small nod, leaving it to me to explain everything.

"Huh? What exactly is going on, Himaru? And where is she from?" Mother asked with curiosity mixed with exasperation and worry. Her facial expression showed immense confusion.

"This explanation is a bit complicated. In short, it seems I was her master in a previous life. Although I have no memory of it, recently, after meeting Touma, some memories from a previous life suddenly appeared in my mind," I explained to them, simplifying the complex story as much as possible so they could understand. I hoped this explanation was plausible enough for them, even though it sounded like a science fiction plot.

"And Touma is someone who appeared after I defeated the Vampire King, the BOSS monster in the level one dungeon. So, my guess is, after I died in my previous life, either I was lucky, or the gods blessed me with the [Dungeon Master] quirk which brought us together again after my death," I continued, adding a dramatic touch to this story, while also linking it to my quirk. I knew this sounded crazy, but it was the best explanation I could think of at the moment.

They fell silent, speechless upon hearing my absurd explanation, but it seemed to be the most reasonable explanation because my quirk was too powerful for an ordinary person like me, so they had no choice but to accept it. The silence in the room felt heavy, filled with confusion and a dawning acceptance that slowly began to seep in. I could see from their eyes, that although it was hard to believe, they chose to trust me.

After making sure they accepted everything I had said, I then invited them to enter the vampire dungeon, Crimson Abyss. I extended my hand, ready to lead them into the world that I had only explored alone so far.

Using my quirk, I marked them as players so they could enter my dungeon. We all went in together, and an amazing yet terrifying sight immediately greeted us. The change in atmosphere was so drastic, from the warm and comfortable living room, we were suddenly thrown into a world of darkness and horror.

Crimson Abyss was a dungeon with a very frightening atmosphere. The air inside was bone-chilling, piercing to the marrow. The whole city looked deserted and desolate, ancient buildings towered in the darkness, and occasionally, the mournful sound of an owl echoed in the gloomy night. The sky above was blood red, illuminated by a pale crescent moon hanging like a death sickle.

"This place is really scary," Emilia whispered, clutching my hand tightly, her body trembling slightly. She pressed herself against me, seeking protection from the terrifying atmosphere around her.

"Don't worry, we're together," I reassured her, returning her hand squeeze and gently rubbing her back. "Besides, we're here to train and strengthen ourselves." I tried to inject spirit into her and the other family members, reminding them of our main purpose in coming to this place.

We continued our journey deeper into the dungeon. Every step they took felt heavy, their feet felt numb and piercingly cold, which was natural because this was their first time entering a dungeon. Ryuko-nee carefully examined every corner, her eyes alertly observing her surroundings, while Father and Mother followed behind with full vigilance. They walked cautiously, adjusting to this new, unfamiliar, and frightening environment.

"So, this is the dungeon where you've been training all this time, Himaru?" Ryuko-nee asked, while admiring and shuddering at the scenery around her. She observed the old buildings that looked fragile, illuminated by the pale moonlight.

"Yes, Ryuko-nee. This is where I fight monsters and level up," I replied. "Today, we'll do it together, so there's no need to be too worried." I smiled at her, trying to dispel the tension she might be feeling.

As we walked further, we began to hear strange noises and see shadows moving quickly in the corners of our eyes. Faint footsteps, the rustling of wind whispering among the ruins of buildings, and occasionally the distant howl of wolves, added to the horror of this place. Finally, the vampires here began to gather, whether to prey on us or for us to prey on them for experience points. Their red eyes glowed in the darkness, like embers ready to ignite.

"Are we going to meet monsters here?" Mother asked anxiously, her voice trembling slightly, showing the fear that was beginning to creep into her.

"Yes, Mother. But don't worry, we can handle them. They are just low-level vampires," I reassured her, although in my heart I knew that even low levels could be dangerous if we weren't careful. I took her hand, trying to channel courage and confidence.

Soon after, we were confronted by a group of low-level vampire monsters moving towards us. They looked like pale humans but had glowing red eyes, pale skin, and intimidating sharp fangs. The coppery smell of blood was faintly in the air, signaling the presence of these bloodthirsty creatures.

"Get ready, everyone!" I shouted, urging them to prepare for their first battle.

The battle began. With solid teamwork, although still a bit stiff and not yet well-coordinated, they managed to defeat the three vampires that approached us one by one. Emilia, who initially looked nervous and scared, showed extraordinary courage and used her quirk to paralyze one of the vampires.

Ryuko-nee, with her extraordinary physical strength, attacked another vampire with powerful and accurate punches and kicks. Father and Mother, although looking worried and a bit panicked, worked together well to fight the last vampire, protecting and supporting each other.

"Good job, everyone!" I shouted after the last monster fell, turning to dust and disappearing swallowed by the darkness. I gave them all a thumbs up, proud of the courage and cooperation they had shown.

"That was really nerve-wracking," Father said, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, his breath still ragged. His face looked pale but relieved.

"But we did it," Mother added with a relieved smile, although her smile still looked a little strained. She looked at me with sparkling eyes, as if not believing what she had just experienced.

We continued our journey with renewed enthusiasm. Crimson Abyss might be a scary place, but together, it would just be a place for us to level up and become stronger. With every step, they became more proficient at fighting the vampires that blocked our path. Fear and doubt slowly began to disappear, replaced by a spirit of adventure and a desire to become stronger.

After several hours of our family fighting the vampires, some of them managed to level up. These intense battles not only increased their strength, but also strengthened their determination and courage. Fatigue began to set in, but their spirits remained burning.

Indeed, leveling up when their levels are still low can be done very quickly, as happened at the beginning of the game, but it will slow down as their levels increase, just like in a game. The same law of level progression applies in this real dungeon world.

In the early stages, every battle brings significant improvements in strength and ability. However, as their levels increase, they have to work harder to gain smaller improvements. This process requires patience and perseverance, valuable lessons that also apply in everyday life.

Currently, Ryuko-nee has reached level three, showing the most rapid progress, while Emilia and our parents have only reached level two. This achievement reflects their hard work and dedication to training. Each level they achieved is proof of their courage and resilience.

Ryuko-nee seemed more confident with her improved abilities, her movements became more agile and her attacks more deadly, while Emilia and our parents continued to strive to catch up with unwavering determination. They all showed great potential to become strong fighters. I was proud to see their rapid progress.

With the help of Touma and me, they could level up without worry. We ensured they were safe and effective in every battle. But I still felt there was one important thing they needed to experience to fully understand the meaning of risk and courage. I looked at them one by one, preparing myself to ask a question that might change their perspective.

"I have an important question," I said, looking at them one by one. "Would you like to experience what it feels like to die in this dungeon?" I deliberately asked this question in a serious tone, wanting to see their reactions.

Father looked at me seriously, the furrows on his brow deepening. "Is that really necessary, Himaru?" he asked hesitantly, questioning the need for this traumatic experience.

"I think it's important for your experience. Death in this dungeon isn't permanent, but it feels real. It will help you stay alert in the real world," I explained, trying to convince them of the value of this virtual death experience. I wanted them to understand that true courage is born from understanding risks and consequences.

Emilia nodded with surprising bravery, her eyes radiating strong determination. "I want to know what it feels like. I want to be ready for anything," she said in a firm voice, dispelling the impression of a spoiled little girl.

Ryuko-nee also agreed, nodding firmly. "I want to too, Himaru. As a Pro Hero, death is always a risk that comes with this job. I can't experience it in the real world, so if I can feel death in the dungeon, I hope it will make me more careful in the real world." As a professional, she understood the importance of simulation and training to face extreme situations.

Mother hesitated for a moment, seeming to weigh the pros and cons of this experience, but finally nodded. "Alright, maybe this is very important for our training," she said resignedly, entrusting her decision to me.

So Touma and I stopped protecting them and let them do whatever they wanted, which eventually led to each of them getting killed, one by one. We watched from a distance, ready to intervene if the situation really got out of control.

It was a difficult experience, watching them fall one by one, attacked by ferocious vampires, but I knew this was an important part of their training. I felt a mixture of sadness and pride, seeing them bravely face their fears. Although it was hard, I knew that this experience would shape them into stronger and more resilient individuals.

After experiencing death, I saw them revive in the dungeon's safe zone, looking a bit silent and contemplative after dying once. Their silence was not due to trauma, but more of a process of digesting the new experience they had just undergone. I gave them a suggestion, trying to divert their attention from this traumatic experience.

"How about we end today's training? Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can use the whole day to train and level up." I smiled at them, hoping this suggestion would be accepted.

Father nodded in agreement, his face still looking pale, but his eyes showed understanding. "Sounds good. We need to rest now," he said wearily.

Mother also agreed, nodding weakly. "Yes, we need energy for tomorrow's training." She massaged her aching shoulders, the effect of the battles they had just experienced.

My parents also decided to close the restaurant tomorrow and take a day off to continue their battle with the vampires. "We will close the restaurant tomorrow," Father said, announcing a decision that showed their seriousness in this training.

Mother also agreed with Father's decision and added, "We all need to become stronger so we have good protection capabilities. This is an investment for our future." Mother's words marked the end of this intense day of training, and the beginning of our family's commitment to become stronger together.