MHA Dungeon Master

The safe zone floor in the revival building dungeon felt bone-chillingly cold and as hard as a tombstone as Himaru's back slammed against its surface for the umpteenth time. Dust billowed from his tattered and torn clothes, adding to the pathetic impression of their defeat. Beside him, Touma coughed weakly, her breath sounding heavy and erratic. The bitter defeat from the robot BOSS slammed into them again with full force, leaving a deep sense of frustration and despair.

"Its human form... bastard," Himaru hissed, trying to regulate his still panting breath. Each inhale felt like needles in his exhausted lungs. "It's like it has eyes in the back of its head. Every move we make, no matter how small, is completely read. It's as if it knows what we're going to do before we even realize it ourselves."

Touma could only nod in agreement, her face as white as a sheet, her lips dry and cracked. "My Blood Shifter Quirk is completely useless against it, Himaru-sama," she whimpered softly, her voice almost inaudible in the cold silence of the safe zone. "I just feel like a burden. I should be more useful, I should be able to help more." Her tone was filled with regret and guilt.

"It's not your fault, Touma," Himaru patted Touma's shoulder gently, trying to convey encouragement even though his own heart was filled with the same frustration and doubt. "That robot is indeed specifically designed to negate all our advantages, to exploit every weakness we have. We have to find another way, a different strategy, a more cunning approach. Strength alone is not enough to face it."

As the steel corridor door slid open with a soft hissing sound, the cheerful figure of Emilia appeared from behind the door, her always optimistic and bright smile slightly fading as she saw their miserable condition. Her round, shining eyes dimmed with worry. "Lost again... Himaru?" Emilia greeted softly, her tone this time gentler and more caring than usual. There was a note of genuine sympathy in every word.

Himaru snorted loudly, brushing away the pain in his back with a rough movement. "That damn robot just seems to get stronger every day. Every time we face it, it becomes more adaptive, more unpredictable. It's as if it learns from our every mistake, and uses that knowledge to fight us in the next battle."

Emilia sat down beside Himaru carefully, offering him a cold mineral water bottle. "Don't give up, Himaru! There must be a way. You... you both can definitely find a way out to defeat it. I'm sure of it." Emilia cheered sincerely, although this time the sparkle in her usually confident eyes showed a hint of doubt and worry that she couldn't hide. In her heart, Emilia wondered if they could really defeat the robot BOSS that seemed to become more invincible day by day.

"Thank you, Emilia," Touma replied weakly, accepting the water bottle from Emilia with a forced smile. Her hand trembled as she reached for the bottle, showing how tired and weak she was.

"Touma-san, don't lose heart either!" Emilia turned to Touma, giving her slightly forced bright smile. "You two can definitely conquer that BOSS together! I believe in you!" Emilia tried to inject back the spirit that was starting to fade from her two companions, even though she herself felt daunted by the challenges ahead of them.

Himaru sighed long and heavily, his eyes gazing far into the tightly closed BOSS room door, as if searching for answers behind that steel door. "Looks like... I really have to focus this time. No more half-measures. No room for error, no time for doubt. It's all or nothing."

The decision came suddenly to his mind, like lightning striking in the dark of night. A decision that felt crazy, reckless, but also felt like the only way out left, a glimmer of hope in the midst of the despair that engulfed him. "I'm going to make a clone," Himaru murmured softly, almost whispering, but his words hung in the air like a time bomb ready to explode.

Emilia and Touma turned their heads in unison, their eyes widening perfectly round, staring at Himaru with shocked, incredulous, and slightly horrified gazes. "A clone?" Emilia asked hesitantly, making sure her hearing wasn't wrong, afraid that fatigue had made Himaru talk nonsense.

Himaru nodded firmly, determination burning in his dark eyes. "Yes. A clone of myself. He will replace me at school, he will live the boring and endless school life, while Touma and I will focus entirely in the dungeon, training non-stop, improving our combat skills to the maximum in order to face that damn BOSS. This is the only way that comes to my mind right now. It might be crazy, but it might also be the only way."

Touma looked very doubtful, deep wrinkles forming on her forehead. "Is that a good idea, Himaru-sama? Making a clone... will your parents allow you not to go to school? Will they agree with this... unusual idea?"

"I'll talk to Dad and Mom," Himaru replied confidently, although a little doubt began to creep into his heart. "They will definitely agree, as long as I can provide strong reasons and take full responsibility for my decision. Besides, honestly, I've understood almost all of middle school subjects well enough, so it should be okay if I'm absent for a while. My priority right now is to become stronger, to protect everyone."

Emilia still looked very worried, her teeth biting her lower lip. "But... that clone will really obey you, Brother? Won't he have his own thoughts? Won't he act out of control?"

"Of course he will obey me," Himaru replied confidently, brushing aside all doubts that might arise. "He is part of me, created from me. I will command him, I will control his every action. He is just a tool, an extension of myself." In his naive mind, Himaru imagined his clone as merely a tool, a perfect and obedient extension of himself. He never even slightly imagined that the 'tool' he created could have free will, and could have a hidden agenda, regardless of its loyalty.

---

At the bustling and lively Sobusaki Junior High School, school life went on as usual, the hubbub of laughter and chatter of students filled every corner of the building. But amidst that monotonous routine, there was a new presence that was slightly different, slightly awkward, but also eye-catching.

Himaru's clone, with a charming smile that always adorned his face and a calm aura radiating from him, entered the school gates with light steps. He carried out Himaru's orders obediently and without any objection, but he did it with his own personal touch, with a unique and captivating style, which slowly but surely began to attract the attention of those around him.

One sunny afternoon, in the school music room that was usually empty and quiet after school hours, Himaru's clone sat alone in front of a magnificent grand piano, his fingers dancing nimbly on the black and white keys, playing a beautiful and mesmerizing melody. Music notes flowed gently filling the room, creating a magical and calming atmosphere. Emilia, who was looking for Himaru to discuss their next game, accidentally found the clone there. Her steps stopped in front of the music room door, transfixed by the scene she saw.

"Himaru?" Emilia called out hesitantly, slightly surprised and confused to see Himaru's clone playing the piano so skillfully. As far as she knew, Himaru had never shown any interest in music, let alone playing musical instruments. "Why are you playing the piano?"

Himaru's clone turned his head, smiling gently at Emilia, his eyes sparkling brightly. "Emilia, what a coincidence to see you here. Yes, just trying it out. Just filling in my free time. Have you joined a school club yet? I haven't had time to find out what clubs are in this school."

"Not yet," Emilia answered honestly, approaching and sitting on a wooden chair beside the piano. "I haven't joined any clubs either. Actually, I'm not too interested in extracurricular activities."

Himaru's clone chuckled lightly, his laughter crisp and pleasant to Emilia's ears. "Is that so? What a pity. School clubs are actually fun activities, you can make new friends and new experiences. Hmm... in that case, how about we create a new club instead? A club that suits both our interests." Himaru's clone seemed to think for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the piano keys, then his eyes suddenly sparkled with ideas. "How about we make a music club? A K-ON club, for example? I noticed this music room is always empty and unused. It's a waste to leave it like this."

"Huh, K-ON club?" Emilia asked briefly, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What is K-ON? I've never heard of it before. But... wait a minute, I can't play any musical instruments at all. I have no musical talent."

"It's okay, I'll teach you," Clone Himaru reassured Emilia with his soothing smile. "Music is easy to learn, as long as there is willingness and perseverance. I will be your teacher, I will guide you step by step. Besides, playing music is fun, it can relieve stress and make your heart cheerful. How about it? Do you want to join if I create this K-ON club? We can have fun together."

"Band?" Emilia was surprised, her eyes widened, her mouth slightly open. "So suddenly? Creating a school band... isn't it too much trouble?"

"Why not?" Himaru's clone looked at Emilia with a convincing gaze, full of enthusiasm and optimism. "A junior high school without a band feels empty and colorless, right? We can perform at school festivals, enliven school events, or... even make our own music videos and upload them to the internet. It must be fun and exciting. We can become famous!"

"Music video?" Emilia looked starting to be interested in Himaru's clone's idea. "What for do we make music videos? What's the point?"

"For... Metube," Himaru's clone answered with a sly smile that went unnoticed by the innocent Emilia. "We can upload our works online on Metube and Spotitune, who knows, we might go viral and become famous. It's good, to fill in free time and add experience. We can become famous with this plan!" In his heart, Himaru's clone added, 'Metube? Spotitune? Those are just side reasons, a cover to hide my real purpose. My main goal is... to cast a net, look for prey, and expand my influence.'

"Hmm..." Emilia still looked considering Himaru's clone's offer, her mind swirling between doubt and interest. "But... does the real Himaru know about this? Would he agree if we created a band club?"

Himaru's clone laughed lightly, dismissing Emilia's worries. "Relax, Emilia. The main body only told me to behave well at school, maintain his good name, and not cause trouble. Forming a music club is a positive activity, even commendable in the eyes of the school and parents. Besides," he brought his face closer to Emilia's, whispering in a convincing and intriguing tone, "All my memories will return to him later, all the experiences I gain here will also become his. And I as a clone only have limited time, my existence in this world won't be long. So making unforgettable memories before I disappear, making beautiful memories with friends, it's not too selfish, right? And all these fun experiences will also become his, he will also get the benefits. There's no loss at all, right?"

Emilia fell silent, transfixed looking at the eyes of Himaru's clone that looked so sincere and convincing. The clone's explanation sounded very reasonable, logical, and difficult to refute. Besides, forming a school band did sound fun, and she admitted that she was a little interested in the idea. "Okay then," Emilia said finally, nodding firmly in agreement. "I'm in. I want to be the bassist in our band."

"Right choice!" Himaru's clone exclaimed happily, his hand clenching into the air with enthusiasm. "With the natural talent you have, Emilia, the bass in our band will definitely sound amazing, shaking the soul and body!" Emilia blushed shyly hearing the sincere praise from Himaru's clone, unaware that the praise was just a small part of his grand plan, a sweet bait to trap her into the net he was weaving.