Humanity vs. the Great Old Ones!
The titanic battle for rule of the Earth that has raged since before the dawn of history:
now rebooted for the 2020s!
This is the spine-chilling...
Cosmic Horror Show!
Cosmic Horror Show Planning Script (Non Final)
And cut!
Good work on the rehearsal.
I do think we need to put some more thought into the name.
Who is that supposed to appeal to?
It's to set the right mood, Cthugha-san.
Nobody likes gloomy stuff these days.
What is that?
Something very important.
A "revival gauge" to represent our manifestation on Earth.
The more despair we bring to the players, the higher it gets.
Makes it easy to visualize, right?
It's silly.
But okay, I get it.
Goodness, this borrowed body is so cramped!
You've got quite the appetite, Cthugha-dono.
Your streamer was one of those "mukbang" types, yes?
Indeed.
And it makes me so hungry.
These temporary bodies seem to retain a measure of their original nature.
I was reading a paper from Miskatonic University...
A paper?
So your streamer was some smarty-pants, Ghatanothoa-san?
He had a rough childhood but became a successful streamer and entrepreneur, it seems.
Well, good for him.
I like my body, personally.
We are the Great Old Ones, travelers of interstellar space.
It's only fair that we lower ourselves to the level of these weak humans.
It was all just a game to you!
You're scum!
Hey, knock it off!
I'm glad to see you're all having fun.
Even if we're trapped inside this machine, it's still wonderful to be alive again.
Let's enjoy it.
Tick Tock Man, your idea of bringing despair to humans through a variety game show...
I think it's wonderful.
You honor me, Lady Cthulhu.
Please, bring terror to the humans.
Why yes, I do believe I shall!
Congratulations on 300 Subscribers
Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo
They really did send the million yen...
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Balance: 1,201,500 yen Withdrawals Fees 6/8 1,200,000 yen Sender: Cosmic Horror Show Details Test Play Participation Secret Route... Goal...
-6,000 yen -220 yen
The Old Ones will always follow a rule once it's been set.
It sounds strange to say it, but they're beings of their word.
They don't actually have a bank account somewhere, right?
That wouldn't make sense.
They can use supernatural powers to manipulate reality.
That's scary!
If they can do anything, aren't they invincible?
It doesn't look like they can do "anything," exactly.
Right now, one million yen is probably the limit of their powers.
You mean if they could really do anything, they'd just take over the Earth?
Yes. That's why they need to be stopped before they can manifest in reality.
Hey...
You're acting like the existence of these "gods" is already accepted fact.
But isn't this all kinda unbelievable?
I mean, you can make anything look real in VR, right?
Is that really what you think?
Mayu still hasn't woken up from her coma.
I'm sorry.
How many times are you going to apologize today?
Well, Kei-san's a victim here, too.
"Unaussprechlichen Kulten"?
That's right.
Amenomura-kun, black magic is real.
You refused to come into work and went missing after our revenue dropped.
And once you finally come back...
Did you go around the world looking for stuff like this?
I didn't find it.
I was called by it.
Amenomura-kun, "magic" is ultimately no different to compiled machine code.
If we can unravel its mysteries,
our company can gain access to heretofore unknown technologies.
I want to use this to create the greatest game ever—
one that far exceeds anything humanity has made before!
TOP SECRET
Top Secret Ultra-Futuristic VR Game System "KADATH"
Project Plan
It's time to put the "Lord of All Things" to work...
with his unlimited processing power!
I realize now that our division head was already lost to them back then,
barely clinging to his own sanity.
If only I'd stopped him at that moment...
But your boss was the one at fault!
Who tries to save their company with black magic?
Listen.
I don't care what happens to humanity.
I want to know how to kill them.
The Great Old Ones can't technically "die."
What?
But you can ask for something else in place of the prize money.
If you won enough of the games, you could ask for your friend back.
And then they'd have to do it.
Is that possible?
You'd need lots of victory points, though.
So whatever I do, I gotta win, huh?
These are psychodisks—
the ID keys that allow you to participate in the game.
Having one makes you an official player in the main event.
But I understand you might need time to think it over.
Fine. If they want a fight, I'm in.
Thank you.
There's one for you, too, Kanna.
Hey! I never agreed to participate!
You should know...
If you refuse, you'll forfeit by default, and they'll find some way to kill you.
These rules aren't remotely fair!
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Over 30 people all went insane in a short time
and were taken to the hospital.
But there's nothing in the news at all.
And all the emails we got inviting us to the game have been deleted.
There's no trace left.
So this is what that woman from Megalox was talking about—
their power to interfere with reality?
Expense Report Due Tomorrow
Now this is interesting.
I only ever used the occult as a way to make money.
Assistant Professor Takagi's Court of the Occult
But for me, isn't this the chance of a lifetime?
A supernatural power that alters reality itself...
Time to see what it has to offer!
Phony Occult Streamer Hiroshi Takagi Subscribers: 145,112
Games...
Those creatures are beholden to the rules of their games.
Which means I can't possibly lose.
I don't need money.
But there's something else I want.
I was found in a train station locker. I don't have any parents.
I went from one home to another until I was four—
until I ended up at that orphanage.
I never fit in there.
Are you alone? So am I.
Who are you?
Mayu.
Do you do that with other people?
You smell just like me.
Other people don't.
Mayu didn't have any parents, either.
It didn't take long for us to become sisters.
Is this our apartment?
It's our very first place together!
It doesn't get much sun.
Good! Now we won't get sunburnt!
The walls are all scratched up.
Which means we can put up whatever we want on them!
You're so positive about everything, Mayu.
From now on, we don't have to answer to anyone but each other!
It'll be wonderful!
What is this?
Where'd you get it?
Did you whack someone?
I did not!
This is the rent money!
I got some money for a stream.
Well, I'm not going to turn it down.
But don't do anything dangerous, okay?
I told you, I didn't.
Have you eaten?
Yeah. They paid for it.
Wow, how scary!
You're still underage! How bold of you!
Listen! I didn't do anything wrong!
The idea of getting money over the internet scares me.
I know everybody does it, but...
Kids these days, you know?
Don't ask me.
Hey, listen.
If you had a magic spell that could grant any wish, what would you use it for?
You can only use it once.
Nothing, really.
Nothing, huh?
Oh, but I guess right now...
I'd use it for Mayu-chan.
So that she can come home soon.
I see.
Thank you.
Why are you thanking me?
Because you were thinking the same thing as me.
Great, then.
Gimme some booze.
Don't be silly.
Woof-woof welcome!
I'm Kanna Kagurazaka, your high school girl streamer!
Today I'm going to introduce a new cosmetic that just came out this month!
Oh, and naturally, this is a sponsored segment!
Kanna Memo
It's sponsored?!
And there's my makeup!
Kanna Memo
Pretty Face Complete!
Aura-Enhancing Brush
Bright Eyeshadow
"No Way!" Shiny
I have lighter skin, so I use a #3 eyeshadow
and a #1 lipstick!
Totally! Will she try it? She's so cute! Cute! Definitely buying! Sponsored or not, I love it! She's so good at makeup!
She's showing off for the camera. panties or gtfo PAN*TI*ES Hurry up and flash 'em
In your dreams, whoever the hell you are!
You want a fight? Fine!
How dare you rob me of my peaceful evening!
She was serious about picking a fight with them...
Isn't she scared?
Is she stupid?
Or has she already gone mad?
There are three rules to remember.
1. If you don't join the game, you'll be killed.
2. If you participate and fail, you'll go insane.
3. If you win, you will receive a prize or a corresponding wish will come true.
I don't need money...
Daifuku, do you have a wish?
You're lucky. You don't have any worries at all.
Hey!
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[Notice] Invitation to the First Game Dear Kanna Kagurazaka-sama We are writing to inform you that the date of the first game of the Cosmic Horror Show has been decided. Please go to the KADATH facility at the appointed time and use your psychodisk authentication key to log in.
I'm about to go to the game.
Am I hoping for something even I don't know?
Or...
Have I gone mad, too?
Everybody's here.
Well, of course. Nobody wants to just roll over and die.
Before the game begins, let me verify some things.
O-Of course.
I wasn't asking you.
You're here, right?
Can you show yourself on these monitors?
Welcome, brave and foolish warriors!
You couldn't wait to ask questions?
What do you want?
I've heard the games you create are always possible to beat.
Is that correct?
Yes, we've made them so that they can be cleared with normal athletic ability,
a typical amount of endurance, and a modicum of intelligence.
Got it.
If the game masters do anything to badly upset the balance of the game,
we will treat that as a violation of the rules.
I can tell you're into the occult.
You know exactly where to strike a god.
I-I'm an anthropologist.
I bought your book.
Well, the ebook version.
You've got good taste.
You know him?
Nope.
Professor Hiroshi Takagi.
Associate Professor, rather.
He does lectures and writes books revealing fraud in the occult.
But it's not clear whether they're the fraud or he is.
I can't wait to see what game it is!
You're not scared?
Sure I am.
But to be honest, I'm way more excited!
Some people are like that, huh?
Nao-kichi, the manga author, right?
Is he famous?
I do have ten million copies in print or so.
Wow!
10-Million-Selling Manga Author Streamer
Subscribers: 258,040
I've been following Zombie Tribe since it was a one-off!
Oh, thanks!
You started streaming after it ended, right?
Yup.
I've got nothing else to do these days,
so I'm looking for some new inspiration!
I'm cheering you on!
Let's do our best at the game.
Of course!
May I have a word, everyone?
I hate to rain on your parade mid-introductions,
but I don't plan on being friends with any of you.
Actress Tsugumi Tsukasa Subscribers: 193,253
This whole thing is creeping me out, and I want to be done with it.
A bored manga author, a pro gamer, and a cheating actress who can't keep her legs shut.
What?
Feels to me like the Great Old Ones deliberately picked weirdos.
This can't be a coincidence.
So? How do we end this game?
Yes, that's very important!
Four hosts will be participating in this tournament!
Four games, and then a final round!
Five games in all!
That's the limit of our powers, you see.
Five games...
If we can clear all those, we'll be freed, right?
Yes.
Is she famous?
You don't know anything, do you?
I don't watch TV.
That's Tsugumi Tsukasa, the actress.
The tabloids were saying she might've slept with her producer.
I guess all we have in common is that we're streamers.
I don't want to have anything in common with you lot.
It seems we're all ready.
Now, if you would all proceed to your seats.
Each of you, please insert your psychodisk into the slot.
These psychodisks contain your very souls.
Whatever you gain—or lose—in the games will be written onto them,
and reality will reflect that.
Sanity check.
OK.
Standing by.
Roll!
Complete!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!
This space was designed to bring you heart-pounding thrills and excitement!
Welcome to the super-virtual-reality system KADATH, a place of mysteries and awe!
Uh, what?
A school?
We're not in those weird bodies this time, it seems.
Indeed.
We have fewer players now, so we'll be able to depict you more realistically!
But this will also make the pain and terror more realistic.
I don't need that level of realism...
What kind of game are they going to make us play?
Super-Fun Great Old Ones Academy!
Super-Fun Great Old Ones Academy
"Super-Fun"...
..."Great Old Ones Academy"?
Welcome, brave but foolish little ones!
This game was my idea!
I do hope you'll enjoy it!
Her...
Hey, you!
You dare address me, lesser life form?
Got a problem with it, squid-bitch?!
Damn it...
She really does have Mayu's face.
Very well.
I am compassionate. I'll forgive you just this once.
Now, bear witness to my words. My name is Cthulhu!
Great Cthulhu!
Cthulhu...
Let the games begin!
Allow me to explain!
This is essentially a game of tag!
You need to keep away from the Innsmouthers that will try to find you here at the school!
Avoid them for 60 minutes!
Winning Prize
One Million Yen
Don't get caught for 60 minutes, and the money is yours!
Now...
Let the game begin!
Sixty minutes?
That's a long time.
I'm worried about my stamina...
Fwish!
Run!
This might not be as hard as we thought.
Did they mess up the game design?
Sounds like that girl with the tentacles isn't the smartest squid in the sea!
Ouch! Hey, did Cthulhu mess up?
Easy game.
Easy Game
Crappy Game
Crappy game.
This is more like a bonus stage.
It moves?
I get it!
Fwish.
This is what we're supposed to do, right?
Nice work by Eita!
He figured out how to get the bonus!
100,000 points!
It really is a bonus stage!
Fwish!
You're right!
This is easy!
This isn't even worth watching.
Cthulhu, you're embarrassing the Great Old Ones.
Hilarious.
No...
Do you really think this is the whole game?
Indeed.
I'm not that stupid.
Now let the real game begin.
Fire it up!
A slave species of the Elder Things!
Go forth, my precious little pets!
What is this thing?
Eita-kun!
Damn it!
Eita, jump!
Now!
Whew...
That was close.
Wh-What was that monster?
Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li...
Did you see that?
I turned those shoggoths into killing machines, just for this day!
Too bad, humans. You won't be coming back alive!
DOOM HAS BEEN REWRITTEN
[SAN Check] Small Streamers Collab! [Great Old Ones]