Surviving as a Plagiarist in Another World

The Lovecraftian worldview─commonly referred to as the “Cthulhu Mythos”─is a form of “cult culture.”

It is neither mainstream nor follows conventional formats, yet its unique charm draws small but fervent fanbases, marking it as a niche culture.

On Earth, it especially inspired and influenced young pulp fiction writers, and the “Conan Saga,” which I had already plagiarized once, was also one of the works influenced by Lovecraft.

The Conan Saga became the origin of the genre of Western fantasy epitomized by DnD, and similarly, the Cthulhu Mythos left an immense impact on Western RPGs through works like CoC (Call of Cthulhu).

In that sense, the Cthulhu Mythos could be considered an ancestor of subcultures.

And.

One of the reasons the Cthulhu Mythos could wield such an immense influence across subcultures was precisely because:

“I won’t claim exclusive rights over the works within this ‘Cthulhu Mythos’ worldview moving forward.”

“Excuse me?”

This stemmed from Lovecraft’s somewhat inadequate perception of copyright.

Lovecraft didn’t particularly consider the settings or elements of the “Lovecraft Series” he created to be very important.

Lovecraft’s literature fundamentally leaned closer to “horror fiction,” and because of this, he prioritized portraying psychological shifts, madness, fear, and overwhelming tension over “settings.”

Thus, he didn’t particularly oppose other authors borrowing his worldview in their works.

He was extremely generous with secondary creations and even introduced characters from other authors into his own works, showing a positive attitude toward sharing worldviews.

In a way, one could even say he was a pioneer of the shared universe trend.

Anyway.

Through such collaborations and shared worldbuilding among various authors, the “Cthulhu Mythos” worldview has been continuously expanded.

Similar possibilities undoubtedly exist in this world as well.

“It seems like it could be a pretty interesting attempt, don’t you think? Alternate history and alternate mythology. Stories created together. What do you think?”

“If that’s what you wish for, then I suppose it’s fine… but is it really okay? Creating myths might seem a bit subversive.”

“Novels are just novels, so it should be fine. Besides, horror fiction is already trending through newspaper serials… and while the atheistic mindset of portraying gods as ‘incomprehensible aliens’ might pose some issues, the concept of an alternate reality could instead add to its appeal.”

“Is that so…?”

In any case, completing the “Cthulhu Mythos” would require a historian to delve into its worldview.

Someone to explore its settings, organize them, and weave the intricately tangled descriptions into coherent stories.

In my previous life, August Derleth played such a role.

Who would become the August Derleth of this world, I wasn’t certain… but one thing was clear.

The Cthulhu Mythos had enough potential to captivate people’s hearts.

.

.

.

At the same time.

Ed Fríden’s cousin, Isolette Reinhardt, frowned as she stared at a collection of novels.

It was a standalone volume compiling the “Cthulhu Mythos” series serialized in the newspaper.

“What an incredibly troublesome gift… Honestly, my cousin is remarkable in many ways…”

In Isolette’s view, this “Cthulhu Mythos” series was an absurd novel.

Its sentence structures were a mess, the dialogues between characters were all stereotypical and stiff, the plot was simplistic, and even the theme of the story was unclear. 𝙍𝐀ŊՕ฿ƐȘ

Frankly, it lacked in many ways to be called a good novel.

It wasn’t much different in terms of completion level compared to the cheap horror novels serialized in newspapers.

While its approach to horror was notable, and it left an impression with its detailed depiction of a character’s internal descent into madness…@@novelbin@@

That was it.

If she were to rate the novel, Isolette would have given it a 1-star rating.

The problem was that the novel was garnering cult-like popularity among certain types of readers.

Not simply riding on Homer’s name value, but instead, this “Cthulhu Mythos” series was forming a powerful, vocal fanbase of its own.

And.

“A cult-like following… Certainly, the appeal lies in its transgression of taboos. Its unique tone that evokes nightmares… The primal desire for ominousness… the adolescent impulse to be drawn to the forbidden… So, perhaps the charm of this novel lies in its aesthetic sublimation of an anti-ethical sentiment, which should instead be evaluated from an ethical perspective?”

Isolette’s critical talent allowed her to delve into the essence of popularity that surpassed the “typical and conventional” criteria.

In Isolette’s study, the sound of a pen scraping paper, the tearing of paper, and the discarding of drafts into a trash bin echoed incessantly.

Conventional criticism couldn’t fully grasp this “Cthulhu Mythos” work.

To discuss the cult-like popularity and the allure readers found in this work, a broader range of perspectives was necessary.

A 21st-century critic might have analyzed it through the lens of psychoanalysis, invoking Jung or Freud.

But Isolette didn’t possess such knowledge.

She didn’t need it, nor did she lack the ability to draw clear logic without it.

“The things we pursue for enjoyment…”

Yes.

That was talent.

A talent that went beyond the creative skill of making something from nothing—the critical skill to derive reason from emotion.

The ability to elucidate all irrationalities under the strict order of reason and language, to unravel the fabric of the soul.

And that talent was blossoming as it encountered the controversial novel that was the “Cthulhu Mythos.”

Isolette had already made a brilliant debut in the world of literary criticism with her review titled “Fairy Tales, The Wizard of Oz, and The People Beyond the Yellow Brick Wall.”

That review, where social discourse and literary discourse intertwined like the tail of a snake, was undoubtedly a masterpiece.

But the critique Isolette was currently working on had gone a step further than her previous work.

“…….”

Art did not always need to be beautiful, nor did ethicality need to be “formally ethical.”

Sometimes, crude humor that mocks one’s own race could be used to highlight racial discrimination.

Prejudice against socially marginalized minorities often leads to sympathy for them and institutional welfare.

The Cthulhu Mythos is a novel that delves into taboos.

Madness, atheism, Gnosticism, hatred, and cults─.

All of these are excessively subversive, and this subversive atmosphere was precisely the essence of the Cthulhu Mythos.

And many people were captivated by that atmosphere.

Among them were intellectuals who worshiped free will and reason, as well as religious individuals who followed the peace and love of the Lord.

Numerous rational and wise individuals, unshaken by impulse, were utterly engrossed in the “Cthulhu Mythos,” this subversive piece of literature.

Not because they belittled taboos.

But because, understanding the significance of taboos, they felt catharsis at the “end of everything,” where taboos were broken.

Just as the “tragedies” of ancient times once did.

“…Is this the answer you were expecting from me?”

Thus.

Isolette took a step into the battlefield of literary criticism surrounding the “Cthulhu Mythos.”

.

.

.

“So, what is this?”

“A potion that can transform you into a subversive-looking cephalopod! Doesn’t it sound fun?”

“No. Don’t make weird things.”

“Haha!”

I casually pushed the alchemist’s potion aside.

The plan to waive the copyright on the “Cthulhu Mythos” and complete the Lovecraftian worldview was progressing successfully.

Occasionally, there were minor issues with magicians or alchemists obsessed with the “Cthulhu Mythos” doing strange things, but fortunately, they didn’t escalate into major problems.

The alchemist glanced wistfully at the potion but quickly shifted the topic with his usual cheerful demeanor.

“Since you’re not interested in my potion, I’ll bring up a story I think you’ll find intriguing!”

“A story I might find interesting?”

Was there an incredibly entertaining new novel out?

“It’s about the Gate of Angels!”

“What is the Gate of Angels?”

“It’s a door to the divine library where you can ask the ultimate questions about life, the universe, and everything!”

“Is the answer 42, by any chance?”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

A divine library, huh….

It was certainly an intriguing story.

“The Gate of Angels can be crossed only once by every Transcendent! I’ve already visited it once myself! That dragon-slaying Transcendent friend of mine… probably won’t ever make it there.”

“Why is that?”

“Because there are no more dragons left in this world! Haha!”

“…Hmm?”

“To pass through the Gate of Angels, one must meet the conditions. And those conditions don’t apply to that dragon-slaying friend of mine!”

“What are those conditions?”

The alchemist, wearing the expression of a child holding a fascinating toy, replied.

“Two Transcendences.”