Secret: I, The Hermit, Want To Make Progress Too Much

In the vast landscape of fan-fiction expanding upon Cuttlefish That Loves Diving’s masterpiece, Ha Ha Long’s Secret: I, The Hermit, Want To Make Progress Too Much stands out as a brilliant reimagining of the Lord of Mysteries universe. This novel breathes new life into the familiar setting by introducing an original protagonist, Roy, who finds himself thrust into this treacherous world armed with the Mysterious Palace.

The genius of this story lies in how it subverts the high-stakes tension of the original series. By granting Roy the unique ability to deflect the Hidden Sage’s intrusive whisperings and weaponize that stolen knowledge, the author creates an intellectual power fantasy that feels perfectly at home in the Victorian-esque, Eldritch horror setting. Instead of focusing solely on combat, the narrative pivots toward the pursuit of knowledge as the ultimate currency. Watching Roy manage his clandestine "study group"—coercing characters like Forsi into academic rigor while treating the protagonist Klein like a literal library card—is both hilarious and deeply satisfying.

The world-building remains faithful to the complex rules of Beyonder pathways and the creeping dread of the Outer Deities, yet it feels fresher through Roy’s pragmatic lens. He isn’t just surviving; he is actively exploiting the economy of information. For fans of the original series who craved more focus on the esoteric lore and the exchange of Russell’s diaries, this novel is a dream come true.

Ha Ha Long successfully captures the witty, mysterious tone of the source material while delivering a narrative that feels like a clever, scholarly spin-off. If you want to see the Tarot Club dynamic turned on its head through the lens of a relentless academic mastermind, this is a must-read that elevates the fan-fiction genre to new heights.