[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-42":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill",{"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},896755,1177,"Chapter 42: The Smile Beneath the Hood","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>Max slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ceiling above him was carved wood, covered with glowing magical symbols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain ran through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His torso was covered with black lines drawn in ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magical seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of them were still glowing faintly as they absorbed mana from the surrounding air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Recovery seals...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was lying on a smooth stone table in a large room filled with jars, hanging herbs, and medical tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian’s healing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he remembered. In the game, whenever the party took a long rest to recover HP, the cinematic showed exactly this. Dorian walking around the party members, painting recovery seals onto their bodies with a magical brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... it really was canon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to sit up a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TING.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blue window appeared in front of his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max immediately smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system screen unfolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Main Quest Completed ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Win the duel for the princess’s hand without your companions dying. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Status: Completed ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Estimated Difficulty: Extremely High ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another line appeared beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Reward Available ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max reached into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Claim reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window changed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violet glow filled the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then an object appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark violet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With golden engravings carved along the edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura surrounding it was intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max whistled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ultra rare, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chest floated slowly in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max leaned back against the healing table and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see what broken item you give me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he opened the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of silver light shot out from inside. The light spun in front of Max, slowly condensing into a defined shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black cloak appeared floating before him, suspended in the air as if it weighed nothing. The edges were woven with silver threads that shimmered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloak slowly rotated, as if presenting itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TING.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new system window appeared before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Ultra Rare Item Obtained ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Cloak of the Echoed Motion ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ A cloak capable of recording and reproducing nearby movements. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Abilities: Replicates the last simple action performed nearby. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Cooldown: 5 minutes ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Copying movements?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could keep reading, another window appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Item Enhancement Activated ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The text changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Motion Echo − Enhanced ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Cooldown: 2 minutes ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[ Additional Effect: One copied action can be stored temporarily. ]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max stared at the window for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay... this is actually interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloak slowly descended into his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fabric was surprisingly light. It almost felt weightless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max examined it for a moment, running his fingers along the silver threads on the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see how it looks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed it over his shoulders. The fabric adjusted on its own, as if it had been made exactly for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max moved his arms a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloak slid naturally behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to stand up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the door to the room opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Max?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian entered first, with Moon walking beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them stared at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max standing there. Still covered in magical seals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian immediately frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m testing if I’m still alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lie back down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian’s tone didn’t leave much room for argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your body just went through a ridiculous fight and I’m not finished healing you yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat back down on the stone table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon quickly walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Papa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl hugged him carefully, as if she was afraid she might break him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max ruffled her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You slept a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked at Dorian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are Gawain and the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian kept drawing magical seals on Max’s arm with the brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Resting. And celebrating a little, I suppose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Taniel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon answered this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The birdman said they’re leaving tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That fast?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was here with Dorian while you were being healed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taniel is still unconscious in the other room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still can’t believe you won that fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neither can we.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian finished drawing a seal and blew softly over the ink. The symbol glowed and then faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max shifted slightly on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dorian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to go see Elanor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The healer raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t seem surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I figured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed the brush into a small jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give me a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned over Max again and began drawing another seal on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll finish stabilizing these mana channels and then you can go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian worked in silence for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke without looking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did very well out there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I got lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian slowly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished the last seal and cleaned the brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You reminded me of an old adventure companion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh yeah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was just as troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon lifted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Troublesome Papa?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max sighed. But he couldn’t help smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while later, Max left the healing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorian had stayed behind organizing jars and tools while Moon waved goodbye to him from the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t do anything stupid,\" Dorian had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max responded with a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he was slowly walking down the castle’s guest corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magical torches along the walls emitted a dim blue light that illuminated the wooden doors lined up on both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body still hurt. But he could walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max adjusted the new cloak on his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fabric moved softly with every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’That mission was definitely worth it. I didn’t know wearing a cloak could feel this good.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor’s room was at the end of the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max walked a few more meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming from one of the rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recognized that voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...this wasn’t what we agreed on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max moved a little closer to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices inside sounded tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already paid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel’s voice sounded irritated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you brought me two useless fools.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Two useless...?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately remembered the two warriors Taniel had hired for the duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took another step toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If someone comes out right now, they’ll see me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max looked at his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Absolute Silence Ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He activated it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft distortion expanded around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Silence Area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single sound could leave the invisible sphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max slowly leaned toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a small gap between the wood and the frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three figures stood around the bed, covered in black cloaks. Their faces hidden beneath deep hoods. Taniel was sitting on the bed, still pale, but clearly awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I paid you a fortune,\" Taniel growled. \"Do you know how much it cost to bring you to this kingdom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of the three responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were supposed to be elite assassins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel slammed his hand against the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you lost to a damn pet, a pigeon-brain, and a little girl!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max felt a sting in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Hey...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the black-cloaked men finally moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled something from beneath his cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade glinted briefly under the room’s light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is that supposed to—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel’s throat opened before he could finish the sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max felt his stomach freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel tried to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sound of his throat choking on his own blood came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his body fell backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with the blade wiped it clean on his cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directly toward Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Silence Area was still active.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he hadn’t moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though there was barely a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man looked straight into his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the hood, Max could barely make out a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately stepped away from the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One hand covering his mouth by reflex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he knew they couldn’t hear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the room something moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burst of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The furniture inside the room shook violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curtains whipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A loud noise struck the glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max waited a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart still pounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally he leaned toward the crack again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was a mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheets thrown aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chair knocked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the bed was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three hooded figures were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly pushed the door open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was completely silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max walked toward the window. It was closed. But something caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the wooden frame there was a strange powder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max stared at it for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t touch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s definitely not normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around the room once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turned the key slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And returned to the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted toward the end of the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elanor’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First... I need to talk to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he started walking again.\u003C\u002Fp>",1613,"2026-06-03T06:02:48.851Z",1,"novelbin.me","ebd62792c764824c2abaa63db7938b4309fe944e542ab5e8d692ede9a9bec860","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-43","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-41",189,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-cover.jpg"]