[{"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-85":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},2312014,4517,"Chapter 85: I'm Listening (24)","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>“Phew…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After returning to the Infinite Labyrinth, Herbert did not immediately go to see Valentina; instead, he pushed open another door and entered the Deepwater Prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he was momentarily flustered, unprepared to face Valentina so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was somewhat awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had merely acted on a sudden whim to test his limits—not truly intending to die—and he had sufficient confidence, taking no great risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he hadn’t suffered serious injuries; he merely looked worse than he was, but Miss Hungry Dragon had clearly misunderstood something, and her emotions had become highly agitated after being provoked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making someone worry so much—even with his thick skin—still left Herbert somewhat embarrassed as the one responsible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me take a breather, wait a bit longer—until she calms down a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valentina’s emotions are currently heightened; it’s best to avoid her sharp edges for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running away is shameful, but it really works.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Herbert, you look troubled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mermaid’s water-soft voice rose like waves, drawing Herbert’s gaze toward her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fremé, can you tell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, of course—you never tried to hide it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé did not ask Herbert the childish, dramatic question: “Why haven’t you come to see me these past few days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Herbert had no duty to visit her daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, for a legendary mermaid with a lifespan of over a thousand years, her sense of time differed greatly from that of humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap in lifespan was too vast; a few days were insufficient to make her feel lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even among mermaids, she was one of the most reclusive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of her curse-like talent, she had long since become passively accustomed to solitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You look injured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé studied Herbert, her gaze settling on the scorched, torn patches of his tunic, casually sweeping over the skin beneath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two glances, three glances… four—cough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Herbert noticed, she cleared her throat and pretended nothing had happened: “Cough, cough—was this related to the commotion just now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tactic was crude and transparent, yet it worked—successfully diverting Herbert’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, you felt it from here too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert blinked, surprised at how poor the soundproofing was between zones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could feel this from here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this some cheap inn near University City?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only heard a faint vibration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé raised her hand, plucking a small sphere of water from her water globe and lightly tapping its surface, sending ripples cascading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mermaids were inherently highly sensitive to sound, possessing an unmatched sensitivity to vibrations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what exactly happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In short… a brawl broke out in the prison? Uh, a fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How do I explain that, as warden, I brought prisoners from another zone to beat up the ones inside this one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how I put it, it sounds like I abused my power for personal gain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert was still pondering how to explain this, but Fremé wasn’t interested in the story’s content—her focus lay elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned out of the water, curiously asking: “Huh? Are prisoners from other zones kept together in groups?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, some are grouped together. Are you jealous of them?” Herbert blinked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re strange—having a private cell and still wanting a dorm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t a university dormitory; you don’t need to bond with roommates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you worried they might not get along with your personality?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé dismissed such concerns: “Regardless, having another person in the same situation helps ease some loneliness and boredom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ease loneliness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert recalled the scenes he’d witnessed in the Dark Prison and the Lava Hell, and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fake. Don’t believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it is fine—but only when you experience it firsthand do you realize how cruel reality is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vampire and the dark elf were fine; they had no contact whatsoever, just like private cells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the demon and the devil were different—they weren’t lonely at all, just endlessly tormenting each other…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One used magic attacks, the other physical damage—their interaction was maximum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head and sighed: “Being alone is better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Valentina—aside from being hungry, she had no troubles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so… maybe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé blinked, sensing something in his wistful expression, and nodded silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, did you encounter a Fallen one a few days ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… you mean that guy who looked like a slime eel half-eaten by a colossal whale?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I guess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stared at each other, uncertain if they meant the same person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We must be talking about the same guy, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert had only seen Grass Carp Brother after he’d reverted to human form—he’d never seen him in that slime-like shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it. Since only he slipped in, it must be the same guy—this doesn’t matter! Anyway, did you attack him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the mermaid immediately retreated into her water globe, leaving only her head exposed, looking uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did he die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Herbert’s silence, Fremé guessed the outcome and protested, sounding wounded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this time it’s not my fault! He walked in on his own while I was singing, then slid away in a hurry—I didn’t mean to harm him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé felt wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, this time it’s clearly your fault!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How come your prison has no guards at the door?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine if the warden comes and goes freely—but how did outsiders get in?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, madam, please calm down. It’s not as you think—I’m not blaming you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care—you’re the real murderers… huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Herbert hesitated, then explained: “Actually, you didn’t make a mistake—you’ve done a service…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly retold the story he’d once told Valentina—but before he could finish describing the monastery’s reward to them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mermaid, who had been cowering guiltily, suddenly burst out of her water globe, leapt high into the air, then landed gracefully atop the water sphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fremé sat proudly atop the water sphere, head held high, humming happily as her seven-colored tail swayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at Herbert, who was staring blankly, waved her hand, and declared imperiously: “Keep going. Don’t stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1001,"2026-06-20T12:31:06.198Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9859b81a78388bdf0e59f6bdb0bdf2a41ecdf5676e42d23cf08a19d8bc959ec2","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-86","an-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-chapter-84",453,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fan-improper-monster-girl-s-transformation-diary-cover.jpg"]