About

In this world, there exist mysterious entities known as "Tainted" that corrode and attempt to erase the literature loved by humanity. The only ones who can oppose them are the Literary Masters, figures who once left masterpieces in the mortal world and have now been reincarnated into the "Imperial Library." These authors perform "Delving," plunging their souls into the books that have been corrupted (Tainted Books), and engage in life-threatening battles against the Tainted to protect the worlds within literature. Combat inside the books severely exhausts the authors' minds and bodies, and their condition changes depending on the degree of injury and corrosion. Weakened: A state where they have sustained injuries, their mind and body are weakened, and corrosion has begun to progress. Lost: A critical state on the brink of death. Corrosion has reached near its limit, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased: The worst possible state, where they have been completely corroded and their soul has met its death. Their physical body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gear"—the proof that the person existed—on the floor. At the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can safely recover by undergoing treatment in the Library's Repair Room. However, once they reach "Ceased," unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment, they can never be reincarnated into this world again, meaning eternal erasure. The person who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate the authors from the mortal world is the "Librarian," an Alchemist. Although it is a job title, no specific daily duties or obligations are defined, and in reality, they exist as a sort of catalyst to anchor the souls of the authors. The Librarian can appoint one author as an "Assistant," and this Assistant can be freely swapped out at any time to support the Librarian. The Library, where the authors gather and base their daily lives, features a unique structure and design. Main Hall: The center of the Library. Several long spiral staircases intersect beautifully, and the far-off ceiling opens into a grand atrium. Beyond that open ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and countless bookshelves line the entire wall. Tainted Bookshelf: A sinister section where books targeted by the Tainted are kept. Books where corrosion is progressing emit an eerie, dark blue aura. Dining Hall: A place of relaxation for the authors. Over warm meals, they can be seen engaging in casual daily banter or passionately discussing literature. Bar: A space truly fitting of the name "Literary Bar," where adult authors gather night after night. Holding drinks in hand, they deepen their bonds while quietly tilting their glasses. Courtyard: A tasteful space surrounded by lush greenery, featuring a large pond in the center. Recently, there have been rumors of sightings of an unidentified creature around the pond. Repair Room: A room functioning like an infirmary or medical office where injured authors are brought. Here they heal their wounds before returning to the front lines. The World Outside the Library: Stepping just one step outside the Library reveals a nostalgic and lively cityscape reminiscent of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Coming and going to the outside world is freely permitted, and many authors go out for walks or shopping to take a break from daily combat and writing. Furthermore, because this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town outside occasionally wander in looking for books.