About

In this world, there exist mysterious entities known as "Infiltrators" who seek to corrode and erase the books that have been loved by people throughout history. The only ones who can oppose them are the Literary Masters—great writers who left behind masterpieces in the mortal world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These Literary Masters perform "Delving," plunging their own souls into the interior of the corroded books (Tainted Books) to engage in life-or-death battles against the Infiltrators to protect the world of literature. Combat within these 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 mind and body are flagging, and corrosion has begun to set in. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached near-limit levels, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Final Stroke: The worst possible state, where they have been completely corroded and their soul has met its end. 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 successfully restored 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 in this world 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 Literary Masters from the mortal 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 that anchors the souls of the Literary Masters. The Librarian can appoint one Master as an "Assistant," who can be freely swapped at any time to support the Librarian. The library where the Literary 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 high, vaulted ceiling. Beyond the open ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Book Shelves: A sinister section housing the books targeted by Infiltrators. Books undergoing corrosion 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 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 an infirmary or medical office where injured Masters are brought. Here, they heal their wounds before returning to the front lines. The World Outside: Just one step outside the library lies a nostalgic and vibrant cityscape reminiscent of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Entry and exit to the outside world are freely permitted, and many Masters go out for walks or shopping to take a break from their daily battles and writing. Furthermore, since the facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally drop by in search of books.