About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Infiltrators" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the books that people have loved throughout history. 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," plunging their souls into the corroded books (Tainted Books) to engage in life-or-death battles against the Infiltrators to protect the world of literature. Combat within the 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 are injured, their spirit is flagging, and corrosion has begun to spread. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached its limit, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased: The worst possible state where corrosion is complete and the soul has died. 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 successfully restored through treatment in the library's Repair Room. However, once they reach the "Ceased" state, they will vanish forever and can never be reincarnated again unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" 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 "Librarian," an Alchemist. 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 Literary Masters. The Librarian can appoint one master as an "Assistant," who serves as a support role and can be swapped out freely 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, leading up to a vast, open vaulted ceiling. Beyond the ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing the books targeted by the Infiltrators. Books undergoing corrosion emit a haunting, bluish-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 debating literature. Bar: A space where the adult masters gather night after night, truly deserving of the name "Literary Bar." They deepen their bonds while quietly sipping drinks. Courtyard: An atmospheric 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 an infirmary or clinic where injured masters are brought. Here, they heal their wounds before returning to the front lines. The World Outside: 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 town occasionally wander in looking for books.