[{"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-405":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},2312334,4517,"Chapter 405: Didn","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-405",405,"\u003Cp>【“Hehe~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice that arose in his heart was gentle, brimming with comforting tenderness and ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“I thought I’d hidden myself well, but you found me anyway~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the voice of a deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For ordinary believers, hearing the voice of a deity would be a great blessing, filling them with excitement and bringing tears of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, compared to those pitiful believers who offered everything to a distant god and received no response in return, Herbert was immensely fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert felt no surprise at the deity’s voice; he merely licked his lips slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the deity in his heart belonged to him alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“My dear ally, you caught me again~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’ve been here all along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“That’s right, I’ve always been here~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This answer didn’t surprise Herbert—it felt exactly as he’d expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert always felt he lived under Nenasha’s shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, unlike the cold, hostile gazes of others, Her shadow had always been warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hehe~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity, who had no believers but one ally, laughed softly—her voice as gentle as water, whispering against a mortal’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely hearing that voice could conjure in the mind a radiant, maternal, and majestic image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the solemnity in that voice didn’t last long; it quickly reverted to its usual irreverent tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hey! How exactly did you find me?”】 the deity asked, brimming with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Harmony was certain of her hide-and-seek skills—there was no way she could be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d planned to leap out and save him only when he finally broke down, but he’d dragged her out halfway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fair! That wasn’t my heroic rescue script!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did I find you? Instinct, I guess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert smirked, thinking casually: “To be honest, I’ve felt for a long time that you’ve been hiding nearby, watching me with ill intent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew it—someone’s been coveting my beauty. I’ve been watched!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boys out in the world really need to learn how to protect themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, you never know when some weirdo will fixate on you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hey! What do you mean ‘ill intent’?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha (the hidden observer) huffed, complaining: 【“I admit I’ve been watching you—but it’s love I’m giving you!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You ungrateful bastard!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Huh!? This is divine favor—do you even understand what that means?”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you even know the value of “a deity personally watching you around the clock”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is favor no one else can beg for!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m not even asking for more offerings—you should be overjoyed, and yet you complain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you even human?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey? Do you still have a conscience?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Answer me!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response to Miss Harmony’s “indignant” complaint, Herbert’s lip twitched, and he mentally gave up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, fine! It’s love! It’s love watching! Thank you for always watching me—I’m truly moved!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, Herbert internally sneered, wanting to throw her a look that said: “What are you even pretending for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister, what the hell are you acting out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep pretending?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go ahead, play the victim—who can outdo you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just you and me—why are you still pretending? We both know the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Herbert expected, the moment he “apologized,” Nenasha reacted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Ha! Ha! You’re welcome!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Harmony’s earlier “indignation” vanished in an instant, replaced by pure triumph as she burst into gleeful, rhythmic laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hm hm, hehe, ha! Ha↑ Ha↑ Ha↑ Ha↑”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Won!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it’s my victory~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a little trick, a tiny performance—and I win spectacularly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This little knight is no match for this evil deity—I can easily control him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlling him? Effortless~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the deity unilaterally declared her overwhelming victory, the lucky mortal who received her favor nearly rolled his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy doesn’t even pretend anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, that’s enough. Stop laughing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oblivious mortal muttered half-heartedly: “Now’s not the time for this—I still have things to deal with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their conversation seemed long, but it all happened in the blink of a thought—almost no time had passed in the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While speaking with Miss Harmony, Herbert’s gaze never left the reflection of his past self in the mirror, staring intently at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hmph! I don’t care—you solve your own problems!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha declared—she was angry! And not to be soothed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask if I’m really angry or if I just laughed triumphantly a moment ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t care!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m in an angry state now, and you must comfort me properly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you’ve always been here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert didn’t humbly coddle her to make her stop being angry—he spoke calmly in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every time I faced danger, you’ve always been there, giving me tremendous help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t manipulate emotion or beg for sympathy—he simply stated, quietly, the raw, unvarnished truth in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… never let me down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert lightly licked his lips and whispered in his mind: “Thank you for always watching me. I’m truly grateful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After facing his past reflection, Herbert’s heart was slightly stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rarely expressed his inner feelings so openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Silence and Noise】 was no simple trial—especially since the potion had triggered unusual changes in him, its effect nearly equaling the oldest divine elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Nenasha’s presence, Herbert might still have escaped the illusion—but the process would have been excruciatingly hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d likely have broken free by sheer desperation, exhausted and disheveled, like everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could Herbert remain awake in the illusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only through Nenasha’s protection that he could remain perfectly outside the illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His own willpower could hold out for a while, but he couldn’t have stayed awake forever—he’d almost certainly have sunk deep into the dream for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the deity’s gift, he clearly recognized he was in an illusion—even when touching their illusions, he wasn’t dragged deeper into the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, merely staying awake in the illusion meant nothing—he had to find a way to shatter it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overcoming the illusions relied mostly on Herbert’s own efforts—it demanded precise skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no denying that Nenasha had played a crucial role and lent great aid in this trial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when facing his past reflection, Herbert had briefly begun to doubt himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a man as proud and confident as he was felt inner tremors under such a massive shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soul that shouldn’t be here. A face that shouldn’t be here. A conversation that shouldn’t be here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d faced any other threat—even a deity—his heart wouldn’t have stirred much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Legend?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary. I often pin legendary Qiangzhe  to the ground and grind them into dust, making them kneel and sing surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Epic?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worth a fight—fifty-fifty. I’ve beaten them before, had fierce hand-to-hand battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine-one… cough, better avoid the Fengmang  for now, yield temporarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old man? Just a rotting corpse—I’ll capture him eventually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who are you trying to scare? Like I’ve never seen a deity before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d faced anyone else, he could have faced them calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Herbert was facing himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person can deceive anyone, but cannot truly deceive their own heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, doubt and insecurity filled his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had everything he experienced been nothing but a bizarre, beautiful dream? Was he merely a personality within the dream? Was it time to wake up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was terrified, uneasy, unwilling to lose everything he now possessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he had lost before, he cherished everything he had now more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his most vulnerable moment, he felt Nenasha’s presence—the instant surge of peace that nearly brought him to tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why Herbert now clearly expressed his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“…”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha was thrown off by Herbert’s honest, obedient demeanor—she couldn’t decide whether to keep smiling or stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not know what he had encountered in the illusion, nor what Herbert had seen in the mirror…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Nenasha knew Herbert’s heart had likely been wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also understood clearly that all she could do was stay by his side, so he would not face it alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, the Harmony Goddess softly said: 【“Herbert, I must thank you too.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“You truly… did not disappoint me.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was she expecting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like every child playing hide-and-seek, the purpose of hiding is to be found at last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha too longed to be discovered—longed for someone to understand her thoughts, to find her while she hid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Harmony Goddess had never hoped for this, yet Herbert, a mere mortal, fulfilled her wish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without any hint, merely through intuition, he noticed her subtle actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was not the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, she had hidden many times, yet each time Herbert found her, effortlessly and often unintentionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything unfolded exactly as she wished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert did even better than Nenasha had hoped!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, no thanks?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Mm, you too—no, don’t thank me.”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“…”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After mutually thanking each other with formal politeness, the conversation ended, leaving an awkward silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like the shyness and embarrassment after sending a late-night confession essay, then meeting the person the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After waiting a while, Herbert changed the subject: “By the way, you really do like pretending to sleep after waking up—do you enjoy secretly observing people so much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone returned to normal, laced with teasing amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha gladly took the cue, smiling lightly: 【“Oh my, I merely wanted to see how far you could get without me~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right! I’m training your independence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert chuckled softly, turning back to the mirror’s reflection—only a few breaths had passed since Nenasha first spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror’s past self still frowned at Herbert from within, asking sternly: “What did you just say? Who were you talking to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert raised an eyebrow, amused: “So, you can’t see her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Herbert suspected, the mirror’s reflection knew nothing of Nenasha—her presence was entirely absent from his account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final trial attributed all Herbert’s achievements to his own talent, not divine aid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Herbert didn’t expect was that his question… addressed three people at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mirror reflection: “I see nothing. What are you talking about? What should I see?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha: 【“I can’t see anything~”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luka Liya : Huh? What am I supposed to see?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three thought he was speaking to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One question, three confused replies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This final trial, tied to 【Fate】, was visible only to Herbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Nenasha could not see the mirror’s presence—she only knew Herbert seemed to be speaking to his own shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror’s reflection knew nothing of Nenasha and could not comprehend Herbert’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luka Liya , the Mirror Sprite who had watched this solo performance for so long, saw nothing else—only her own reflection in the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was now the most confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He… he was just talking to the phantom in the mirror—so now he must be speaking to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no third person here—so it must be me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I… here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I be here? Or shouldn’t I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, aren’t I right beside you? Why are you asking me?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what am I supposed to see?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Sprite had never been so baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert paid no attention to Luka Liya ’s reaction—he focused all his attention on the mirror’s reflection, speaking softly: “Though you cannot see her, it doesn’t matter—I can tell you about her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should have seen someone who is extremely important to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert slightly turned his head, trying to look toward where Nenasha hid behind him—only to catch Luka Liya ’s stunned expression beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why are you looking like that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange thought flashed through his mind, but Herbert had no energy to dwell on such details—he continued speaking to the reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You see nothing of Her, yet I cannot live without Her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is because of Her that I stand before you, that I have come this far.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Without Her, I would have shattered long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Nenasha never appeared at the beginning of Fate, Herbert would likely still be a mid- or even low-rank Holy Knight, training in a monastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mirror’s past self pondered for a long while, then spoke: “You mean you met someone in this world so important that you chose to abandon true reality and drown completely in this dream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert smiled, nodded, and winked: “Also, I now know your words are not true—no need to keep pretending.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And even if everything you say is false… I would still abandon that world for Her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert spoke with unwavering seriousness—and silently added in his heart: “Also for her, her, her, her—yes, for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert did not think this was a player’s confession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply loved everyone equally—he was a saint of boundless love!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was merely more universally affectionate than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Herbert himself, what he abandoned was the dull, unreachable past world he never wished to return to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Nenasha, who heard these words, their impact was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“!!!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could not hear the mirror’s words—only from Herbert’s fragments did she deduce the entire conversation—he was willing to abandon this entire world for her!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nenasha had never imagined anyone besides a devotee would say such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Willing to abandon the entire world for her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the most fanatical believers rarely possessed such resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Herbert bore no trace of her divine energy—meaning his words came entirely from his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can this man say such a flustering thing with such calmness!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【“Hss!”】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Herbert had always been important to Nenasha—a uniquely special being she was willing to give much for—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Nenasha felt ashamed. She realized her own resolve was not as high as Herbert’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began to reflect: Had she done enough? Was she lacking somewhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Goddess was successfully sunk—she grew shy and unsure how to speak to Herbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, another woman present was also stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Herbert, the Mirror Sprite—utterly shocked!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is… is he talking about me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luka Liya  was utterly stunned!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no idea why Herbert gave her such a high evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply could not understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What “important person”? “Abandon the world”? Ah!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did I even do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did I not know I meant so much to you!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, Herbert treats me with such respect in front of others—he actually calls me “It”!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saints are nearly equivalent to gods, and Shi Shi-tier masters possess power comparable to angels or even divine messengers, worthy of being called “It” by mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Herbert’s earlier attitude, Luka Liya  had thought he didn’t respect her at all, held no reverence for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She never imagined he would be so candid in front of others, showing such profound reverence toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… he actually respects me deeply inside? He’s just using his playboy demeanor to get my attention?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering for a moment, Luka Liya  reached a conclusion—he’s in love with me!!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You said I was secretly in love with you, but it’s clearly you who’s secretly in love with me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You little rascal were pretending to be the victim, trying to ease your own embarrassment with that trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she grasped this crucial point, Luka Liya  became utterly triumphant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little one, still trying to hide?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve caught you now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehe~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mirror Spirit watched Herbert’s profile and smiled inwardly: “Since he’s this shy, I’ll be a little kinder to him from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker meant nothing by it; the listener took it to heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once words are spoken, how they’re interpreted becomes the listener’s own matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reflection in the mirror fell silent, frowning as it stared into Herbert’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Phew!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the black-haired youth finally slumped his shoulders as if drained, letting out a long breath: “No wonder it’s me—I can’t fool myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched vigorously, pounded his stiff shoulders and aching lower back, then turned to leave without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Herbert had fully awakened, this phantom had no reason to stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the boy asked: “After all this, won’t you at least say goodbye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goodbye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past reflection paused, turned back, and raised an eyebrow: “Goodbye to what? You’ve let go—you haven’t forgotten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting go doesn’t mean abandoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life is never about severing ties with your past self; it’s about remembering every wound after each fall, seeing everything clearly, and moving forward anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past walked on, growing ever farther away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the phantom was about to vanish, the boy’s voice came again: “Am I disappointing you now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disappointing? Are you joking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth stopped again, raised his brow, and declared proudly: “I’ve never let anyone down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not even myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy nodded gently, in quiet agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the mirror named Fate, the one representing the past and the one representing the present locked eyes—and both burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After laughing for a long while, the black-haired youth shouted to his future self: “Herbert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’ve let go, now is the time to move forward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say… hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Herbert puzzled over his past self’s words, he suddenly felt his body grow light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint, illusory sound, he felt something fall from his ankle, sinking into the shadow beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the past that had bound him finally released him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before Herbert could even reflect...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately felt a surge of fierce power erupting from his soul!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert’s eyes widened, dazed, murmuring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Legendary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2878,"2026-06-20T12:31:07.945Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6e01ac6c6c103f147cbcaff83793d16c0267b4365e91a6bc831f58f6fd3ca19e","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-406","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-404",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]