[{"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-401":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},2312330,4517,"Chapter 401: You Hurt My Heart (Requesting Subscription)","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-401",401,"\u003Cp>Question:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you court a mature woman who is superior to you in strength, status, and age (a monster girl)?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough! And she’s also your direct superior…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urgent! Waiting online!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert looked at the unexpected visitor and felt a faint flush of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was confident he could easily win over anyone he’d already succeeded with, but he never expected someone to appear while he was still in the middle of courting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is going to be tricky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to be fair, the Ash Bishop’s attribute combination sounds quite appealing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this character had appeared at his past life workplace, Herbert wouldn't have minded pursuing her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win the achievement, or just write it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not into older women?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Older women are great—I want exactly that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young and naive, I thought girls were treasures; now I know it’s the wealthy women who matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Herbert has always been very affectionate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as the target zone is wide enough, whether she’s a mature beauty or a little girl, he loves them all the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the same!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now… how do I even start?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert fell silent, pondering how to break the ice, while the Ash Bishop’s phantom across from him also remained quiet, watching him steadily, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Herbert decided to greet her first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, get the conversation started, then adapt on the fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert waved his hand, flashing a bright, sunny smile, and greeted warmly: “Uh, you… hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Herbert was about to ask, “Have you eaten today?” he suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s brow twitched slightly; he narrowed his eyes at the Ash Bishop, sensing something unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something’s off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her posture right now… isn’t it a bit too distant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever facing Herbert, the Ash Bishop had always been relaxed and natural, radiating casual superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she subtly shifted her weight backward, as if bracing for Herbert to strike back—or to flee at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, what she showed Herbert now was vigilance and unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading her body language, Herbert’s mouth twisted sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert felt deeply wounded—he was so utterly untrusted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, are you really that distant?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that really necessary?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just… bit your tail once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re an Epic-tier powerhouse—can’t you handle that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really need to be this wary of me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not a madman!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really think I’d just charge out in broad daylight and lick your tail again?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you think I’m the kind of person who’d do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I really wanted to, I’d wait for the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would Herbert repeat his previous act of desecration if given the chance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only when the timing was right—not by charging in without preparation. Two reasons: first, it’s insane; second, he’d lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed the perfect moment—right time, right place, right circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert thought her vigilance was pointless—it only hurt his feelings, serving no other purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a bad mood, Herbert smirked, crossed his arms, and glared sideways at the Ash Bishop, his body language screaming: You’ve hurt me deeply!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both remained silent, staring at each other without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… ”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the Ash Bishop finally broke the silence, her voice filled with confusion: “You… why are you looking at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Won!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had won this endurance contest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He secretly gloated, then let out a soft hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph, you don’t know why? You hurt me, yet you’re trying to pretend it never happened!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had been the one who “offended” her earlier, yet now he acted like the injured party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Herbert wasn’t some Bai Chi who believed he was always right—he was just goofing around with the Ash Bishop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a joke to break the ice, to draw them closer and restore normalcy to the awkward atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert would act silly, the Ash Bishop would scold him playfully, and the matter would be dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… the Ash Bishop didn’t seem inclined to play along. She didn’t respond to his performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… ”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even slowly stepped back, under Herbert’s stunned gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really have to go this far?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t you just say you’d forgive me and it wouldn’t happen again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How are you secretly holding a grudge?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Herbert wondered what he’d done wrong again, the Ash Bishop spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her silver voice, slightly different from before, was thick with confusion: “I’m sorry, I don’t recall ever hurting you—I don’t even know who you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you remind me? If it truly was my fault, I will apologize.” She tilted her head, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know? You know! You’re hurting me right now—hmm!!?” Herbert complained, then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did she say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert swallowed hard, frowning as he asked slowly: “You… don’t know me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ash Bishop nodded gently, calmly: “I’m sorry, but I truly don’t recognize you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White hair like yours is memorable, yet I have no recollection of you at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her explanation—serious yet distant—Herbert nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, his face appeared calm, but his mind was in turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t know me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angry? Refusing to see me again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing the stranger game?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or… is she genuinely unaware of me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amnesia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, this isn’t a Korean drama—why does this plot suddenly appear?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert mentally ranted for a long while, finding the situation deeply strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first thought was that the Ash Bishop was sulking, pretending not to know him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just joking with you before!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you suddenly so distant? So petty?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Herbert also had another theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if the Ash Bishop was telling the truth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if… she truly had no memory of this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After searching his thoughts, he slowly raised his head, took a deep breath, and asked: “Sorry, I’m a bit confused—could you tell me what year it is now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ash Bishop tilted her head, puzzled, but answered: “The Faith Era has just passed its second millennium.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the answer, Herbert, though prepared, felt a jolt in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second millennium—that is, the Year 2000 of the Age of Faith!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thousand years ago!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sixth sense had been right: this Ash Bishop was truly off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ash Bishop before him was not the one he knew, but her—during her “girlhood” (questionable)—a thousand years in the past!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a temporal dislocation? Or a fragment of ancient memory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert leaned toward the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the unknown effect of [Silence and Noise], he had encountered a memory from a thousand years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, if his earlier hypothesis—that “the phantoms were not merely from his own memories”—held true, this was likely a memory from the Ash Bishop herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Herbert lost in thought, the Ash Bishop waited a moment before asking: “So, can you tell me where we met before? And how did I hurt you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She genuinely wondered what she had ever done to this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes never lie: his earlier joy had been real—he truly recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she remembered nothing, and this made her feel guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Holy Knight aura radiating from him was undeniable—he was not lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who are you really?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...No need.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert took a deep breath, looked at the Ash Bishop, and shook his head with forced strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his head and sighed: “Since you don’t remember, there’s no point in trying to recall. Let the past be as if it never happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s voice was low and hoarse, heavy with deep exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His demeanor—the wounded, devoted man betrayed by a “slut”—left the Ash Bishop utterly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ash Bishop was bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed she had somehow inherited a crushing emotional debt—but she didn’t even know him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you don’t remember me, that’s fine. Let’s... pretend we’re meeting for the first time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert suddenly lifted his head, shook off his gloom with force, his eyes blazing again as he fixed them on the Ash Bishop and said firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us properly know each other again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, arriving before the Ash Bishop, and bowed to her with the highest Holy Knight salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy Knight, Herbert Albert, greetings to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Herbert’s “respectful bow,” the Ash Bishop was flustered, but after a silence, she returned the bow, bowing deeply in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keeper of Secrets, Ophidia, greetings to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the bow, Herbert nodded to Ophidia and offered a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled a long, quiet breath inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name—now in hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had previously interacted with the Ash Bishop, he had always been in a subordinate position, lacking the standing to speak with her as an equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the first time he had learned her true name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he had the name, his performance could continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if you claimed to know someone and had been hurt by them, yet didn’t even know their name, it would be utterly implausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert nodded inwardly, then noticed the Ash Bishop—no, Ophidia—remaining silent after being tricked into revealing her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a clam, not a single word escaped her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why are you so silent? Don’t you have anything you want to ask me?” he asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That doesn’t make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this situation, even if you’re quiet, shouldn’t you ask at least a couple of questions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, in Herbert’s memory, the future Ash Bishop was never a socially anxious mute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ash Bishop fell silent for a moment, then shook her head wearily: “Keepers of Secrets are silent. Words are not our weapons—silence is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Herbert suddenly understood: the greatest difference between this Ophidia and the future Ash Bishop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the future Ash Bishop seemed like a detached elder, indifferent to dogma, then this Ophidia was the very model of a Keeper of Secrets—strictly adhering to every rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concealing her face, maintaining silence, enduring solitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a taut string, stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert knew nothing of the conditions a thousand years ago—he did not know what had happened to Ophidia, what she had endured in that era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he could see: Ophidia bore a heavy burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An invisible shadow, like a colossal mountain, pressed upon her, nearly crushing her spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he chose to speak directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert looked at Ophidia and asked softly, with pity in his voice: “Is it hard, carrying all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not specify what she bore—he did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ophidia understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath her hood, her face subtly shifted; she bit her lip, then slowly shook her head: “...It is my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not deny the hardship, nor stubbornly insisted she was unweary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She answered with “duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After they left, since I chose to bear their souls and guard these secrets alone, I must shoulder this responsibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they left, since I chose to bear their souls and guard these secrets alone, I must shoulder this responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether because she had been asked too many times, or because she had rehearsed this answer countless times in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a Keeper of Secrets—destined from the start to walk alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long known her burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert fell silent, then shook his head and asked: “Ophidia, you don’t have to be so hard on yourself. Couldn’t you find someone to share this burden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert fell silent for a moment, shook his head, and asked, “Ophidia, you don’t have to be so hard on yourself—couldn’t you find someone else to share the burden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ophidia showed no anger at being underestimated; she knew Herbert was concerned, and explained gently: “Herbert, I understand your worry—but... this is my own choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ophidia felt no anger at being dismissed; she knew Herbert was worried for her, and she explained slowly, “Herbert, I understand your concern, but… this is my own choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some choose to uphold dogma for life; some choose to ally with dark gods; others choose to bear everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, who could I turn to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ophidia shook her head, calmly stating the truth: “Since that disaster, the Keepers of Secrets of the Mist Monastery have ceased to exist—no more sacrifices are needed...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ophidia shook her head and stated the fact calmly: “Since that disaster, the Keeper of Secrets of the Mist Monastery has already ceased to exist in all but name—there is no need for any new sacrifices…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A steady, powerful voice cut through Ophidia’s sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s expression turned solemn as he stepped forward again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Ophidia, clearly unprepared for this turn, and said firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will become a Keeper of Secrets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me stand with you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2124,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.945Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c195ca0eb01923fb3422375bd9905296c002d60a0c7dc520cab9a70275d383e4","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-402","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-400",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]