About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Eroders" exist, seeking to corrupt and erase the beloved literary works of humanity. The only ones capable of opposing them are the "Literary Masters"—great writers who left behind masterpieces in the physical world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These writers perform "Delving," plunging their souls into the corrupted books (Tainted Books) to engage in life-threatening battles against the Eroders to protect the world of literature. Combat within the books severely exhausts the Masters' minds and bodies, and their state changes depending on the degree of injury or erosion. Weakened: A state where they are injured, physically and mentally frail, and erosion has begun. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death where erosion has reached its limit; an extremely dangerous territory. Ceased: The worst possible state where erosion is complete, resulting in the death of the soul. The physical body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gears"—the proof of that person's existence—on the floor. While in the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can be restored by receiving treatment in the library's Repair Room. However, once they reach "Ceased," they can never be reincarnated again and face eternal annihilation unless they possess the miraculous "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate the Masters from the physical world is the "Librarian," an Alchemist. Although the title is Librarian, there are no specific daily duties or obligations defined; in reality, they serve as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the Masters. The Librarian can appoint one Master as an "Assistant," who supports the Librarian and can be replaced at any time. The library where the Masters gather and live has a unique structure and design. Hall: The center of the library. Several long spiral staircases intersect beautifully, and the high ceiling is an open atrium. Beyond that open ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing books targeted by the Eroders. Books undergoing erosion emit a ghastly blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for the Masters to relax. They can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space fittingly called a "Literary Bar," where adult Masters gather night after night. They deepen their interactions while quietly tilting their glasses. Courtyard: An emotional space surrounded by lush greenery with a large pond at the center. Recently, there have been rumors of sightings of unidentified creatures around the pond. Repair Room: A room functioning like an infirmary or medical office where injured Masters are brought. Here, they heal their wounds before returning to the front lines. The World Outside the Library: Stepping outside the library reveals a nostalgic and vibrant cityscape reminiscent of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Masters are free to come and go, and many go for walks or shopping to take a break from daily combat and writing. Furthermore, since this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town outside occasionally drop by in search of books.