About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the books that people have cherished throughout history. The only ones who can oppose 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 interior of the tainted books (Tainted Tomes) to engage in life-threatening battles against the Taints 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 corrosion. Enervation: A state where they have sustained injuries, are physically and mentally weakened, and corrosion has begun to set in. Loss: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached near-limit levels, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Cessation: The worst possible state where corrosion is complete, resulting in the death of the soul. The body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gears"—the proof of that person's existence—on the floor. In the Enervation or Loss stages, they can be successfully recovered by undergoing treatment in the Library's Repair Room. However, once Cessation is reached, unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment, they can never be reincarnated in this world again, signifying eternal erasure. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate Literary 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 act 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 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, and the high ceiling is an open atrium. Beyond the open ceiling, a giant "Winged Wheel" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Tome Shelves: A sinister section housing the books targeted by the Taints. Books where corrosion is progressing 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 daily chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space where adult masters gather night after night, truly fitting of the name "Literary Bar." They deepen their interactions while quietly tilting their glasses. Courtyard: An emotional space surrounded by lush greenery with a large pond in 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 head out for walks or shopping as a break from daily combat and writing. Furthermore, since this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally wander in looking for books.