"Selfish...?" Izuku asked, confused and honestly wondering if his Quirk actually knew the meaning of that word.
"Yes, we both know you're not deaf, even if you could somehow be deaf inside your own subconscious." Luck didn't talk, it was more like words emanated out of it while it gestured. "Glad to see you're not on denial about the idiot part, tho."
"How exactly am I selfish?"
"Ha, of course you didn't notice." His Quirk sighed as it shook its head. "Seriously, hopeless."
"... Are we gonna talk or are you just gonna insult me?"
"I was planning on both. But you do have a bit of a point, you're not gonna be asleep forever, so let's start with the obvious and more important, since it's pretty much the reason my work has been steadily increasing lately. You putting all of your efforts into becoming a Hero." It said that in an incredibly annoying and mocking tone.
"How is that selfish!?" Izuku was getting a little bit irritated.
"Think for more than two seconds, idiot! You spent the first fourteen years of your life mainly worrying whether or not you were gonna end up as a Hero later in life, and now you're spending most of your time training and studying to be a pro, that's a decade and a half-"
"But that helps people!"
"Don't interrupt me! And yeah, it does, I don't deny it, but tell me something, how many people have you helped since you joined U.A? Genuinely, by saving their lifes, or just making them better in a substanstial way."
"..." He thought about it for a second. "... Nine."
"Yes, three of those are the amount of people that would have died if you'd done nothing at USJ, and the rest is the people you helped during your time with Sir. Good job." That was the most sarcastic tone Izuku's ever heard, it was even stranger to hear it coming from his own voice. "Let's be generous and join those two weeks into the same month - even though those events happened months apart from each other - and say you average two point five people helped per week. Let's round it up to three, sounds good? Well, I'm gonna make that number look worthless."
It cleared its throat, probably more for the sake of theatrics more that out of any need to do that before continuing. "I'm gonna give myself the very same time frame of one month, and you had the help of Pro Heroes, so I'm also gonna give myself an adult to help me in this hypothetical scenario: Mom."
"Where are you g-"
"Hush, idiot. So, what do we do? Something one of our teachers adviced us to do, see if we can have luck in the stock market. Here's a shocker: we most certainly can." Despite the fact it had no mouth, Izuku could tell Luck was smiling. "Guessing not only what goes up, what goes down, or when it will do it, but the best possible options as well... In one month, guess how much we would make! Go ahead, guess!"
"Thirty-two billion, five hundred and seventy-three, sixty-two thousand and ninety-nine yen. But how is that gon-"
"Congratulations, in record time, we've officially become the youngest self-made billionare in Japan, and soon after... The youngest and most succesful philanthropist the world has ever seen. How many people can we help with all that fine charity, my idiot friend?"
Izuku's eyes widened at the realization and he remained quiet.
"Nuh-uh, no denial here, say it. I want you to accept it. C'mon, spit it out."
"One hundred thirty-two thousand eight hundred and four..." He admitted, staring at his own feet in disbelief.
"In only one month, eh. So, in average I'd helped thirty-three thousand two hundred and one people per week." It snapped its fingers after saying that. "No training! No techniques! Just using my head properly!"
"I... I didn't know-"
"Yes, you did. I mean, you were perfectly aware that I am the perfect tool for that, more than a dozen people have told us that just during middle school, but you ignored it because that didn't fit with your desire to be a Hero. You wouldn't even consider any other path in life unless you failed at it. You could have perfectly done that when you were thirteen years old, but you didn't. Because even though you may be kind and all of that nice things, you'd rather save people through your dream than with the best route. That's why you're a selfish idiot. Even more so now that you're manipulating me into looking after people you consider your friends, I mean, seriously, I knew that whole Iida situation was gonna mess you up, but not in such a manner that you would be determined to kill yourself if any more of your other friends died."
Izuku's gaze snapped back up to look at Luck's face.
"...What?"
"Did you forget? I know what you know, so of course I know that you're essencially threatening to kill both of us to get your-"
"Not that. What did you say about Iida?"
"... Aw, shucks, stuff does slip out when talking casually. Of course I'd screw up somewhere in my first ever conversation." Luck laughed.
It laughed. Scratching the back of its head as if that was inconsecuential, like when you thought you misplaced your phone when it was actually in your hand. It didn't care neither for Iida's death or for how it could made him feel. It made Izuku feel sick.
"You... You really are responsible for it..."
"Eh... Kinda? I think the better term is 'irresponsible for it', as weird as it sounds. I didn't really do anything."
The boy glared at his Quirk. "But you could have."
"Wow, you're perceptive when you want to be. Yeah, sure, I could have pulled the strings of fate a little bit and suddenly some Pros would have managed to step in and apprehend Stain, saving Iida. But that was the wrong choice, one hundred percent."
"How could have that been the wrong choice!?"
"I always tell the truth, you know that, that's why you use me as the ultimate information tool. Stain getting captured there really is one of the worst case scenarios. Sure, he still gets to do his thing, stopping him there would prevent him from injuring or killing forty-nine people, Iida included, but it'd also somehow lead to the deaths of six hundred and thirty-three people. Us being among those numbers. Oh, and since it seems you only value the lifes of people you know about more than your own, some of your teachers and classmates would have also been part of it." It shook its head in disapproval. "See, that's another reason you're selfish, you only really started to care about what I did when it affected people you knew."
"Wait... y-you don't mean...?"
"Ah, dang it, slipped again. Well, yeah, been doing stuff like that since I came into existence, but relax, it hasn't resulted in any deaths, so far my kill count is technically empty, unless you count Iida, and even then, the second worst thing I've done is causing some broken bones and destroying some cars. And those were insured anyways."
It let out a sigh before continuing, "I know you hate it, but you've got to realize the way you're doing things right now is the wrong one. I've helped you with stuff at U.A for a while now, I didn't really had a reason not to, but there's really no need for you to keep pursuing stuff there."
Was it that way? Was it really? None of the other things that it said are lies but...
I know how Luck works, and I know its priorities. None of these really sound like something it would put that much effort into achieve. If it cares so much about saving people, then why do accidents keep happening all the time?
Izuku stared at the silluette, who was expecting an answer with arms crossed.
The answer was simple. It doesn't care.
"... Don't talk like you wouldn't do it."
"Hm? Killing? Ah, yes, wasn't my intention to imply I wouldn't, I just don't really have a reason to end other people's existances. Sorry, I'm still new to this whole, actually using language thing." Not the slightest hint of remorse or shame. It's absolutely incapable of lying.
"What's more, you talk about numbers, as if you're doing some sacrifice for the greater good, but... I've guessed it. You don't really care. Those six-hundred and thirty-three deaths... It would have happened, but if saving Iida would have kept me alive somehow, you would have done it even if it doomed a thousand people. All that stock market talk... You didn't do it just because it was the most efficient method of helping people... The way you phrased it, you made it sound like I had to leave heroics to do it, and like you said, you know what I know, and I know Present Mic has two other jobs besides being a Hero. You didn't lie, but you tried to trick me."
The nothingness that was his subconsciousness remained quiet for a good while after that, with Luck staring at him in complete stillness, just as if it was a cardboard cutout. It then began to laugh, loudly, deeply and heartily, so loud that it managed to echo on the nonexistent walls of the void that was this place.
"Ah..." It wiped a fake tear off of its face. "Man, I knew that even though you're an idiot, you can be smart when you want to be, but damn, didn't think you'd be able to figure it all out. I was expecting a: 'Y-You're right! I was such an idiot.' and yet you went and surprised me."
"So I'm right, calling me here, telling me all that stuff, it's not because I've been doing things wrong to save people. It's because I'm going on the most dangerous path possible, you're afraid we might die, specially because you can't influence things in a way that will kill somebody without me taking us both out."
It shook its head, regaining its composure. "You are absolutely correct, I mean, you had already figured out that self-preservation is king for me, but I was really betting on you being so shocked about your incompetence that you would just take everything I said at face value. Yeah, I don't lie, but I can try to make you misunderstand. Gotta love those, right?"
Whatever humor Luck found in that, Izuku failed to see it.
"It's just like the question from before you feel asleep. How long would it take for one of us to get to Nezu? Well, I told you the total time it would take from the start, not from where you were at. Normally, I know what you mean when you do those vague questions and answer what you want, but I knew that it would give me an excuse to try and get you here earlier for our little chat."
"I'll be more specific in the future then. Thank you for showing me how I'm not doing the best I can to help others, I was nearsighted, but...!" Izuku clenched his fist. "Everything else that you said... I reject it wholeheartedly! I'll help others as a Hero, more than you alone could ever do!"
Luck tilted his head at the gesture, before straightening up and letting out a deep chuckle, right as the ethereal nothingness began to lit itself up.
"We'll see, you selfish idiot."
"-really taking a nap here?" That sounded like Kaminari's voice.
He was back in reality.
"Ah, he had come to my office to check on him, really strange case of drowsiness, it had no reason of existing. He probably was at his limit and his body just wanted to rest."
Slowly, Izuku opened his eyes, he was still in the building from before, and in the room was Kaminari, Recovery Girl, Nezu and Power Loader, who was clearing up the rubble blocking the entrance.
He noticed the principal had the capture tape on one of his... hands? Paws? Point is, he had the capture tape on, and so, he smiled and sat up.
"Quite the convenient timing to wake up, Mr. Midoriya."
"Yeah, I'm the only one here who can carry you, kid, and with how much of a pain it is to mantain the RBG, I don't really wanna." Power Loader said.
"Hey, I'm decently strong, I could've done it" Kaminari said.
"Did you want to?"
"Nope." The blonde said with a confident smile.
"So..." Izuku began, "I assume we won?"
"Correct, Mr. Midoriya, but in your case, it's thank to your condition, let's call it. Normally, someone who gets put out of comission would fail the exam, however, you are a bit different. I've been speaking with Recovery Girl about it, and since you were under the effects of an ailment that caused your drowsiness, it might have been possible that was the cause of your removal from the fight. Given that you're uninjured, that must have been the case. Even still, it is concerning that we pretty much know nothing about it, and you'll be required to regularly visit Recovery Girl to keep track of whatever it might be that's causing that until it."
The freckled teen listened in silence. He already knew what was causing it, all those weeks of sleepiness, just because Luck wanted to try and get him away from heroics with that conversation.
"That's fine, I hope it's nothing really bad." He feigned ignorance.
He no longer felt drowsy and he actually felt a bit lighter. Having now met his own Quirk - which is something he'd never imagined could even happen - he had confirmed what he thought from before.
My Quirk, despite calling me selfish, values its existence above all else. It will take all possible measures to ensure it can keep living, no price is too high, the only life actually worth saving is my own...
But no longer. I know you're listening in, Luck, try to do what you did with Iida again and I guarantee you won't even exist for another second.
The last fight of the exams almost seemed like a free for all. Todoroki's efforts to create distance from All Might were quite literally shattered by both the number one hero and by Kacchan. And whenever Todoroki tried to help with his classmate's efforts to fight against the symbol of peace, they both were so uncoordinated and unwilling to even try to cooperate that most of their attacks ended being perjuditial to the other. And it kept going like that for the full thirty minutes they had.
They ended up being the third pair to fail the exam. It was strange considering they were considered the biggest powerhouses of 1-A, but with their lack of teamwork against a superior oponent like All Might, it did make sense.
"Damn, we're not gonna have our biggest hitters on the camp?" Kaminari lamented. "Out of anyone, I thought for sure those two were gonna make it, specially considering Mineta was able to pass."
"Why am I always the example!?"
In response, more than half of the class simply looked at him, almost saying 'Do you even need to ask?'.
"... alright, fair, but you guys suck."
With that last bit of insight over, the class got ready to leave, wanting to officially end the day and rest after such a grueling test.
Izuku didn't have rest in mind, he had something to do.
Comfort was a thing Stain had almost forgotten, having lived the last few years with the bare essentials would make you forget how refreshing a nice seat with a cooked meal was. He tried not to enjoy those things too much.
He wouldn't have agreed with this normally, however...
"While I can understand and quite frankly admire your simplistic and functional view on things, we can't really support a group without a decent living space, it is quite fortunate that this warehouse was so easily available for us to use as we see fit." Mr. Compress calmly explained, sitting next to him while drinking a glass of wine.
The wine he was drinking, the couch they were sitting on, the food they were eating, the furniture around them, everything was stolen. Not stolen from just anyone, but from heroes that would fit right in with Stain's targets.
Mr. Compress played the part of a modern day Robin Hood, at least according to himself. Family tradition, he would say, one that started generations ago. All that righteous theft paid off. That Stain quite literally stumbled onto the thief in the middle of one of his heist was quite a blessing.
"Speaking of our lovely troupe, I do wonder what our next order of business will be once we've recluited enough members."
"As a group, so far nothing. I'll keep doing what I'm doing, everyone will be free to help with the culling. I'm looking for people with conviction, they will know what to do until the need arises for us to move as a group."
"Hm. Yes, that League." Mr. Compress said the name with the lightness of a feather. "As of this moment, they're doing everything in their power to adquire more manpower. They're desperate, they're not rejecting anyone, no matter how unremarkable or problematic those people might seem to be. Quite a collection of looneys they have obtained."
How unsurprising.
"I must say, it is utterly shocking to learn of how far their reach extends. With what you have told me about them, I'd assume they are some aimless gang that would dissolve itself in a couple of months."
"They must have a benefactor. There's no way such people would get to their point on their own. One of them is practically a child throwing a tantrum at every chance he has, and the other has no real will, I can sense it."
"We're not the only ones to think that way, my friend. Yet, that benefactor remains a mystery. What isn't, well, let's just say maybe we will have something to do as a group sooner than expected. Apparently, the 'child' you spoke of barely can shut up about what they'll do. The League seems quite intent on striking U.A. "
"Morons. No need to intervene, they'll fail."
"Ah! My apologies, I wasn't clear enough, they're not attacking the school grounds. They've heard that first years are going on a summer camp trip, and they wish to cut it short."
Stain narrowed his eyes at that.
First off, he wasn't gonna question what U.A did with its budget, if All Might came out of their system, that camping trip must have a valid reason.
Secondly, the fact that the League knew that while no one outside of U.A did further illustrated the problem Mr. Compress brought up earlier.
They have way too much reach, not only in ways of getting to reach people, but to be able to know things they shouldn't. Whoever was the one actually pulling the strings... Whoever was responsible for those black creatures that attacked Hosu, whoever it was, it must be quite the formidable individual.
"You're right, Compress. We'll follow them."
Mr. Compress laughed. "Ah, pardon me, but I find it quite humorous that our first action as a group will be to strike against villains. People might think of us as vigilantes."
"We're not. Nor are we villains nor heroes. We're just cleansing the world through carnage. We do not hold back our hate towards those that sully society with their filthy ideals, be it greed, fame, vengeance, chaos or aimless destruction, and as such, we'll rend them all apart. That's what we are, weapons of culling pointed at the unworthy."
His fellow criminal raised his glass. "Marvelously said. And I think you just solved one of the things our group lacks."
Stain just stared, waiting for Mr Compress to continue.
"Though a little much for my own personal tastes, Weapons of Culling does make a fine name. Don't you think so?"
The Hero Killer's lips curved ever slightly upward, "It is a bit much, but it'll do."
A/N:
So, yeah, now you've met Luck. Someone who's been playing puppetmaster to a world that barely recognizes its existence while being in what's essentially solitary confinement for over a decade.
I don't know if I conveyed it properly, but Luck still follows the priorities Izuku concluded his Quirk has. Self-preservation above all. Won't ever lie. Will only go against its user's own attempts of take advantage of Luck if it interferes with Self-preservation. But there is another priority, I'll say it on the next episode, just to see if some of you can get it right with what little I've given.
Also, yeah, the Izuku's method of preventing Luck from going full machiavellic was mentioned, and as you might imagine it's pretty effective. I find it kind of funny how essentially Izuku's Quirk itself is a little bit of an antagonistic force that's only being held back thanks to the fact that its user is more than willing to commit suicide if it does anything bad.
Before anything, I know exactly two things about the stock market: jack and shit. I just know that some people make good money off of it, and that Michael Reeves made around a thousand dollars in one month with it using a gold fish, so, yeah, forgive me if what I said doesn't actually makes any sense, even accounting Izuku's abilities.
Then there's that stuff with Stain, or I guess I should now say WoC? Anyways, I'm not really showing much you guys didn't know from before, but I'm hoping I was able to properly give some clues to what I plan to do in the future.
Anyways, that'll be the chapter for today, next one's the one with the preparations for the camp, and most chill stuff. Though I worry it may be too chill, maybe I'll extend it and make half of it the beginning of the camp. I'm not so sure. Eh, I'll figure it out.
As always, reviews equals amazing outerversal capacities for yours truly, even the ones saying stuff I did wrong, I still want to improve.
That's all, see ya!