St-V in another world

NBC:

In different worlds, different realities, I'd like to thank those who are reading The Hero's Son Is a Monster, no matter the format—light novel, visual novel, web novel, anime, manga, or webcomic. Depending on where you are, you may only have access to one format for now.

Pause.

The world is full of stories, and to explore only one is nothing but a waste—don't you think?

Haha, no? Well, The Hero's Son Is a Monster truly begins in the next chapter. So, from behind my curtain, let me calm your excitement and prepare your hearts for what's to come.

You can think of St. V in Another as a little appetizer before the main course.

This chapter is also a reference to the next story I've personally decided to read. It took quite some effort to find and watch an episode that matched the title—the playwrights really put in the work.

So before we begin, let's thank them—pachi, pachi, pachi!

Valentine's Day Chaos

February's Valentine's Day—some people hate it, others eagerly await it.

[Ghosts always come from the left = Look Left ← Like Now!]

A saying that every member of the Tatari Clan had known since childhood.

And it was also a belief they had followed religiously—a concept from another world, a clan from yet another, and a story from yet another.

It originated from the idea that spirits could only be seen when glimpsed from the corner of the left eye.

Yet the specter standing before Lily needed no such trick to be perceived.

— HoooOOooOO! JoOoooyeuuuux… SaAaAaInt-VaAaAalentin!!!

A red dress covered in hearts, a Cupid's hat, and an enormous quiver filled with pink arrows.

The sight could have been charming… if not for the twisted face, the gaping mouth revealing teeth far too perfect, and the countless eyes gleaming like diamonds.

— Argh, argh! You still haven't found it?!

A hysterical voice echoed through the earpiece of an agent hunting the specter.

— Yes?

— Have you found it?! Couples are already forming under… questionable circumstances!!!

— Affirmative.

Lost in the midst of a city glowing with pink neon lights and floating heart-shaped garlands, the Valentine's Ghost had appeared—just like every year.

Yet, beneath this idyllic façade, an eerie unease lingered. Couples held hands with a look of confusion, some kissed with an almost forced intensity, as if driven by a will that was not their own.

There was something artificial, unreal about the atmosphere—love here felt more like an imposed concept than a genuine emotion. And at the center of this fabricated theater, the shadow of the Valentine's Specter drifted between the cobblestone streets, searching for new souls to bind to its whims.

It wandered the world, firing enchanted arrows at those it deemed meant to be together.

The problem? The internet had ruined everything.

In the past, the ghost had carefully chosen its targets, ensuring only reasonable romances.

But ever since it connected to the vast global network, its algorithm had… changed.

Now, it followed nothing but "trends," "popular ships," and "highly liked fanfics."

The result? Absolute chaos.

Professors falling madly in love with their students, sworn brothers vowing eternal passion, animals infatuated with inanimate objects, and even… mortal enemies passionately kissing on the battlefield.

The Agency couldn't allow this to continue.

— Remember, Agent Lam! We studied this case! You know what to do!

Lily, backed into a corner, was terrified.

Lam unsheathed her katana, stepping forward through the heart-decorated streets.

— Yes.

— OoOooh?! You're approaching me… iNstEad of ruNnIng aWaY?

The specter trembled with excitement, its voice shifting between that of an innocent child, an old romantic, and a passionate woman.

Lam didn't answer. She leaped forward, slicing through the air with a swift strike.

"THE HERO X VILLAIN SHIP WAS NEVER CANON!"

Her blade clashed with an arrow, exploding into a shower of pink sparks.

— OoOooh!!! But they hAd an eXcePtIoNal eMoTiOnaL cHaRgE!!!

The specter lunged, firing a volley of arrows.

ARN dodged, twirling through the air.

"BEING IN THE SAME ROOM DOESN'T MEAN ROMANTIC CHEMISTRY EXISTS!!!"

Each argument struck as powerfully as her katana. But the ghost did not back down.

— LoOoOve WiLl aLwaYs FiNd a wAaAaAaAy!!!

It leaped, preparing a golden arrow—larger than any before. The Arrow of Destiny, capable of forcing eternal love onto its target.

But Lam was ready.

She sidestepped, unleashing Spectral Subjugation Technique – Form 15: The Ultimate Counterargument.

— "IF IT WERE TRUE LOVE, WHY WOULD YOU NEED A MAGIC ARROW?!!"

The strike landed straight to the heart.

The specter staggered, eyes trembling, its body cracking under the weight of her unshakable logic.

— I-I-Impossible…

With one final breath, it whispered:

— L-L-Love… y-y-you…

The ghost had hoped for romance between Lam and the novice Lily, but its ship had just sunk. The monster had lost.

Then, it vanished in a whirlwind of rose petals.

Lam sheathed her katana, sighing as the city returned to normal.

— Mission accomplished.

On the other end of the earpiece, her superior's voice erupted.

— AGENT LAM!!! EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I JUST RECEIVED A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO REALIZED MID-DATE THAT THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY IN LOVE?!!!

Lam shrugged.

Now, she had these complaints to deal with. Honestly, part of her had wished that arrow had hit her instead. But this was her mission, and she knew it wasn't the right path.

— Love isn't about stats.

She turned on her heels, her long red scarf billowing behind her.

Lily followed. As a novice, she had already failed her test the moment Lam had to intervene. But deep down… she, too, had wanted to be struck by one of those arrows.

In the distance, a heart-shaped box of chocolates lay on the ground, its ribbon still tied.

Love, huh…

Maybe next year, Lam thought.

I thought we could have… Lily mused.

But you know what?

This was a relationship that could have been born under the specter's influence—but it never would.

I've seen the future.

Spoiler: Lam comes from another world. She reincarnated here. Thank you for supporting her new world.

Behind the curtain.