[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary":3,"chapter-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-11":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","An Improper Monster Girl's Transformation Diary",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2311940,4517,"Chapter 11: I Have No Choice—Neither Do You!","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-11",11,"\u003Cp>After several probes, Herbert determined one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gods are not omnipotent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his understanding, the gods of this world are not supreme embodiments of cosmic rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are merely individuals who control specific domains of law and wield immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gods can perish; they can be sealed and suppressed by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are not invincible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are not… untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theory established—practice begins!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buzzing in his ears had long vanished; the enraged great being had not struck him down with divine punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, before you answer, have you decided how to seduce me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wealth? Status? Power?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me calculate for you—status is out of the question. Even if I leave this monastery, I am still the duke’s son, and I will very likely become the next duke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wealth is the same—I will never lack money. Even if I don’t become duke, at worst I can retire peacefully as a lord on my estate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The only thing that still holds some appeal for me is power—but I am a sanctioned Holy Knight of the monastery, qualified to access the full lineage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So if you add it all up, haven’t you realized that to me… you’re not nearly as important as you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert smiled with deep meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps precisely because you know this better than anyone, you’ve avoided mentioning it, pretending indifference, waiting for me to panic and beg you—then you’ll control me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Friend, save your breath. Don’t wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon god remained silent, offering no response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But silence itself is a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is clear to both demon god and mortal alike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, I’ve said all this not to threaten you—I have enough self-awareness for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert did not press further; his demeanor returned to its earlier casual, lazy tone as he said casually:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My request is the same as before—be honest. Let’s talk openly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re all smart people—no need for games.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More sincerity, less trickery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The god gave no reply; the mortal made no demand. The room fell into stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click. Click. Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the soft ticking of the clock, seconds slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You… surprised me.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, words finally appeared on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Perhaps I truly shouldn’t have treated you as an ordinary Holy Knight…】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon god expressed its generosity, but Herbert cut in without ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? Still pretending.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to act out this ‘I see through you, now I’m shocked and change my attitude’ routine—it’s pointless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, stop acting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still pretending!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, after being exposed repeatedly, the demon god could no longer maintain the act and drew a large angry doodle on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【…Tsk. You Holy Knight are incredibly boring!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, thanks for the compliment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trickster god complained bitterly about the mortal’s lack of appreciation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Don’t you realize this robs us of so much fun?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rather than indulge your strange tastes, I think it’s more important to clarify our relationship right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cut the crap—what exactly do you want me to do for you? And what can you give me in return?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Herbert pressed again, the demon god finally stopped posturing and dropped its disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Alright, mortal, I admit… you’ve genuinely surprised me.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【This time, you’ve won. You do have the right to negotiate with me.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【But before we get to that, there’s one thing I still don’t understand… I’m a demon god. Aren’t you the least bit afraid?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon god couldn’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this mortal sees through everything, why doesn’t he seek help from others instead of risking a deal with me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A madman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not quite—he showed no signs of self-destructive impulses in his spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afraid? Would fear help? More to the point—did I ever have a choice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert rolled his eyes, utterly exasperated: “Ever since you personally granted me your blessing, I had no choice left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since I have no choice, then neither do you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why should I be your puppet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won’t let you get what you want so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mutual destruction is better than your solo victory! If we die, we die together!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert sneered, uttering blasphemous words that would drive outsiders mad:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care what you want. I can help you—but only if you become my slave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with such an unrealistic demand, the god naturally refused, responding coldly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You… are joking, right?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Joking? Didn’t you originally plan exactly that? To mark me with your seal, turn me into a hidden fallen one, then wait until I’m desperate and beg you—so you can enslave me as your puppet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert sneered, asking softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why is it suddenly unacceptable when it’s your turn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just having the right to negotiate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far from enough!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert refused to settle for being the demon god’s favored one—he wanted far more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, the demon god finally responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Mortal, I smell ambition in your soul.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough talk—just answer: yes or no?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having stated his demand, Herbert dropped the act and shrugged like a child throwing a tantrum:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t rush to refuse. If you say no, I’ll just go confess to the archbishop at dawn—he won’t kill me on the spot, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He can erase me instantly!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Are you sure?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course I’m not sure—that’s why I won’t, and won’t try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me remind you: I may not be the only one you’ve blessed. Others like me may come later—but I’m likely the most suitable candidate you can find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Why so confident?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I’m not a proper believer—I’m not bound by dogma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【No, you are.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Herbert’s surprise, after his mask was torn off, the demon god did not rage—its mood seemed… pleasant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Heh. You’re not a lamb of the gods. You are your own believer. You trust only yourself.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh come on, I’m trying to believe you now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Mortal, I will no longer underestimate you. Nor do you need to keep performing… and I won’t pretend anymore.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Herbert wondered how it would shed its disguise, a soft, delighted voice whispered gently into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Heh.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could have communicated with him directly all along!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Mortal… no, Herbert Albert, young Holy Knight. I acknowledge your qualification.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon god, who outwardly seemed approachable but inwardly scorned mortal speech, finally withdrew her contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Greedy enough. Cautious enough. Mad enough… you are indeed a worthy partner.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended a personal invitation to the mortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“I invoke my divine name to invite you: become my covenant-bearer. Help me break my chains, and I shall grant you equal return.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Partner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert narrowed his eyes and did not answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this proposal really so hard to accept?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, this is truly Herbert’s real goal after all this performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He has a clear understanding of his current situation: merely avoiding passivity is already difficult; to gain the upper hand is sheer nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temporary advantage he holds comes solely from the Evil God’s underestimation of him, allowing him to barely resist through surprise—there is no way to sustain it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demanding slavery, a request so absurd it could never succeed, is merely a tactic to achieve his true aim through the “door-in-the-face” effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Negotiation, in essence, is simply “asking for the moon” and “meeting halfway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert gave no clear answer; instead, he tried to remain silent and asked inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’re about to become close partners, shouldn’t you at least tell me your name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hehe, of course that’s no problem—but I cannot speak my name now, or some beings will notice.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine! Then from now on, I’ll call you Niu Gu Lu Xie Shen Jiang, abbreviated as…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil God Jiang completely ignored Herbert’s generous naming, and in a nostalgic tone, whispered softly in his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“But you may call me…”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Nieshna.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather has changed; I caught a slight cold. After taking medicine, I’m drowsy… ugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to meet friends tomorrow, so I’ll rush out this update tonight and set it to post tomorrow…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I can’t finish it, I’ll update tonight—I’ll definitely update.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1335,"2026-06-20T12:31:06.198Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","de4538f141e77b25f911dd9694b7a9d146fc1ba1290e6444a35f88b571bbb5d6","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-12","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-10",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]