[{"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-398":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},2312327,4517,"Chapter 398: The Ones in the Mirror (Request Subscription)","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-398",398,"\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina froze, her pupils dilating after being scolded, staring at Herbert with round eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… you told me to get lost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me to get lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told me to leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina widened her eyes, shouting in disbelief: “You told me to get lost?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being coldly rebuked by Herbert, Miss Hungry Dragon flew into a rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very angry!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a [Wrathbringer], her fury was terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic flames she spat could burn enemies to ash, her claws could tear them apart, her body could crush them into pulp!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that mighty dragon whose rage once struck fear into all enemies, when facing Herbert, did not unleash her usual fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead… deep sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears fell helplessly from her big eyes, plop plop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina, weeping, lips pouting, cried out mournfully: “Don’t you love me anymore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After Wendy, are you leaving me too?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you abandoning me too?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Herbert fell silent, Valentina took a deep breath and clenched her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not scream or unleash her violent power; instead, like a child about to be abandoned, she sat down on the ground and pleaded weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert, don’t leave me, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be good! Really!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please don’t abandon me!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Herbert still not respond, Valentina lay flat on the ground and began wailing dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert! You big idiot!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big idiot!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not talking to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like you anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t like you anymore!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert listened in silence, gazing down at this scene, feeling his cheeks twitch slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This trial was more troublesome than he’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this scene was fake, it shook his heart deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Herbert knew perfectly well this was merely a phantom, a shadow formed from his own memories, he still couldn’t bring himself to be cruel to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was, no other monster girl might act this way—begging on the ground, pleading not to be left—but his beloved Miss Hungry Dragon… she just might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was getting too real…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I supposed to do now? Seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert rubbed his temples, feeling trapped in a dilemma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engage her? Or ignore her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engaging her would indeed stop her crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert immediately saw the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the more he interacted with “Valentina,” the deeper he’d sink into the trap of [Silence and Noise], the more entrenched he’d become in this illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But ignoring her…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert fell silent for a long while, then sighed helplessly and clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch! Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After making his decision, Herbert strode forward and knelt gently before the sprawled Hungry Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at the still-acting girl, he sighed: “Enough, stop pretending. I’m still here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert, you big… hmm?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hungry Dragon, who had been crying a moment before, froze instantly, looking up at Herbert beside her, eyes filled with unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips moved, but she said nothing, turning her head away with a huff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because she’d just been crying so hard, her nose was clogged with clear snot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So a bubble formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It swelled, then—pop—a bubble vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert watched this absurd sight, barely holding back his expression, biting his tongue to keep from laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, he suddenly regretted it—why did I even respond to her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, suppressing his regret, and whispered: “Why are you turning away? You didn’t want me to leave you, did you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re a jerk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina’s “I’m not talking to you” lasted no time at all—she spun back around, glaring at him: “You heartless, terrible jerk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert smiled, nodding openly, then asked: “I’m the terrible jerk you mentioned—so, don’t you like me anymore?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I do like you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina pouted harder, complaining: “You’re a terrible jerk, I’m a big idiot—why should I still like you? Damn it, damn it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing Herbert was a heartless fellow who sometimes liked to tease her, Miss Hungry Dragon still loved him deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After grumbling a bit, she pursed her lips, sniffled, and tentatively asked: “Then… do you still like me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert looked at Valentina, tears still drying on her cheeks, and nodded without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Love.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at Valentina’s joyful expression, his eyes filled with unshakable affection and tenderness, whispering: “I love Valentina more than anyone else—this will never change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched her smile through tears, a soft smile in his own eyes, and added before she could speak: “Even if the one before me is only a phantom, I still love you deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Herbert been deceived by Valentina’s phantom? Did he not know she was fake?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew. He knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, he remained fully rational and alert, untouched by the illusion in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was Valentina—but not Valentina. Only a phantom wearing her form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… a phantom is still a phantom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked tenderly at Valentina’s frozen expression, his voice still gentle, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I must do is end this trial, then go to you—the real you—and embrace you truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina’s phantom stared at Herbert in silence, pressing her lips tightly together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears fell again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop plop—the tears slowly ran in streams down her cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, stop crying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the “heartless” Herbert knelt on one knee before Valentina’s phantom, raising his hand to tenderly ruffle her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m right here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Herbert still softened, making contact with the phantom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert knew that if he touched her, he would sink even deeper into this illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he did it anyway, ignoring all consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she was a phantom, she was still his beloved Miss Hungry Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screw the traps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s crying here—I can’t bear to watch. That reason… is enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the endless labyrinth, Miss Hungry Dragon, asleep, let out a huge yawn and scratched her butt without grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes remained shut, grinding her teeth as she mumbled: “Herbert, you… big jerk… hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wonder what kind of dream Valentina had that made her sigh, pout her lips, and mutter angrily in her sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re actually being mean to me...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not talking to you anymore... Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re such an idiot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Herbert soothed her, Valentina’s phantom pouted and gave him a resentful look before rolling over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tackled him, said nothing, buried her face in his chest, and rubbed hard against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert raised a hand to stroke her hair and sighed, “Even in a phantom, you still use my clothes to wipe your face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You damn dragon, even in a phantom, you’re going to do this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping oil off your lips with my clothes is one thing, but don’t use it to wipe your snot and tears... really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grumbled, yet made no resistance, quietly stroking Valentina’s hair until she faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the phantom vanished, Herbert let out a long breath and shook his head, deeply exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I conquered the real you—why would I fear your phantom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert always feared encountering phantoms that demanded his secrets, never fearing any forceful pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he reluctantly realized he wasn’t nearly as cold-hearted as he imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was too soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert, you pathetic soft-hearted fool.” He grumbled, sitting up from the ground and looking around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A mental world?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Herbert opened his eyes again, he was not in the Mirror Space, but his will had entered a phantom realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had yielded to the Shadow of the Hungry Dragon, the phantom remained—this trial was not over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after Valentina, whose phantom would appear next?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, a tender chuckle came from behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My hero, you look full of doubt. Have you encountered trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert turned without surprise, smiled at Freyme’s phantom, and nodded. “Yes, I’ve run into a small problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mermaid Lady giggled softly, gliding to his side and propping her chin on her hand. “Then, shall I help you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert immediately nodded, staring at her, and asked earnestly, “Can you give me a hug right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freyme blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly and nodded. “Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glided smoothly into his arms, wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her ear to his chest, listened to his heartbeat, and asked, “What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was not a man who liked to show weakness or cling—at least that's what he claimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ask for a hug so directly was rare for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert looked down at the Mermaid Lady, his fingers gently tracing her earlobe, brushing the wind-chime earring, and whispered, “I love you, Freyme.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this unguarded confession, Freyme froze, lifted her head to look at him, and saw the smile on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mermaid Lady blinked, then smiled too, nodding softly. “I love you too, my hero. What trouble are you facing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m facing a trial. I’m trying to figure out how to break through it,” Herbert murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A trial? What exactly is the trial?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mermaid Lady asked, but Herbert only smiled and shook his head, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert? If you don’t tell me, I won’t understand. You... hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched Herbert, silent and shaking his head, and seemed to realize something. She glanced around the surroundings, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she whispered softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is it me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She released her arms from around his waist and glided around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freyme’s slender arms circled Herbert’s neck. She rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered into his ear, “Herbert, I love you deeply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this is a trial, I will not be your obstacle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if it isn’t a trial, I will never hinder your path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking these words, Freyme’s phantom slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My hero, keep walking bravely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deepwater Prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freyme, adjusting her alchemical legs, blinked, shook her head, and seemed to snap out of a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel like I just spaced out for a moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She yawned, stretched wearily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For some reason, I feel like he’s run into trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freyme pondered, then smiled and hummed happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever the difficulty, my hero will surely overcome it~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt cheerful and wanted to sing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which song should I pick?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pick ‘My Hero’! May my hero overcome every obstacle~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to play, she changed her mind, blushing with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, how about ‘My Beloved’? I feel like Herbert loves me even more now~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So he really can leave on his own?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert felt the weight on his shoulder vanish and blinked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freyme’s phantom, through her own will, chose not to be his obstacle and departed voluntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized now—when Valentina’s phantom vanished, she too had left after complaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These phantoms were not the “inner demons” he imagined, not malicious entities seeking to block him. They seemed unaware they were phantoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They truly believed they were the “real themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case... I think I know how to resolve this.” Herbert touched his chin, thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the next phantom to appear was indeed Elisa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert faced the vampire phantom, who had just appeared and hadn’t spoken yet, and said directly: “Look, no time for chatter—I need a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kneel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the Vampire Lady reacted instinctively—without resistance, her knees buckled and she knelt heavily before Herbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after kneeling and instinctively opening her mouth did she suddenly realize, eyes widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, what just happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You... uh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1888,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.468Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","215eb163426b4365422f05b19a1e0f559cb6cccc215c41fa2b7a282728b9b8fa","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-399","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-397",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]