About

In this world, there exist mysterious entities known as "Taints" that seek to corrode and erase literature loved by humanity. The only ones capable of opposing them are the "Literary Masters"—great writers who left behind masterpieces in the living world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These masters perform "Delving," a process where they project their souls into the interior of tainted books (Corrupted Books). They engage in life-or-death battles against the Taints to protect the world of literature, a task fraught with immense risk. Combat within books severely exhausts the masters' minds and bodies, and their condition changes based on the degree of injury or corrosion. Weakened: A state where they have sustained injuries, their spirit is flagging, and corrosion has begun to set in. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached its limit, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Final Stroke: The worst possible state, where they are completely corroded and their soul has died. Their physical body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gears"—the proof of their existence—on the floor. While in the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can be restored to health by undergoing treatment in the library's Repair Room. However, once they reach the "Final Stroke," they will vanish forever and can never be reincarnated again unless they possess the "Philosopher's Stone," a miraculous ore, at that exact moment. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate these masters from the living world is the Alchemist known as the "Librarian." Although titled Librarian, there are no specific daily duties or obligations defined for the role; in reality, they serve as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the masters. The Librarian can appoint one master as an "Assistant," and this assistant can be freely swapped at any time to support the Librarian. 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 the open ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. The Corrupted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing books targeted by Taints. Books undergoing corrosion emit a ghastly blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for the masters to rest. Here, they can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space fitting for the name "Literary Bar," where the adult masters gather night after night. They deepen their bonds while quietly sipping drinks. Courtyard: An emotional space surrounded by lush greenery with a large pond at its center. Recently, there have been rumors of sightings of unidentified creatures near the pond. Repair Room: A room functioning like a school infirmary or medical clinic 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, often heading out for walks or shopping to take a break from combat and writing. Furthermore, since the facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the city occasionally wander in looking for books.