About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the literature that people have long cherished. The only ones capable of opposing them are the Literary Masters—great writers who once left masterpieces in the mortal world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These masters perform "Delving," plunging their souls into the interiors of tainted books (Corrupted Books) to engage in life-threatening battles against the Taints to protect the world of literature. Combat within books severely exhausts the masters' minds and bodies, and their state changes depending on the degree of injury or erosion. Weakened: A state where they have sustained injuries, their mind and body are flagging, and erosion has begun. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Erosion has reached near-limit levels, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased Writing: The worst possible state where they have been completely eroded, resulting in the death of the soul. Their physical body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gears"—the proof of their existence—on the floor. In the Weakened or Lost stages, they can be safely restored by undergoing treatment in the Library's Repair Room. However, once they reach Ceased Writing, they will vanish forever and cannot 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 the masters from the mortal world is the Alchemist, known as the "Librarian." Although it is a formal title, there are no specific daily duties or obligations defined; in reality, the Librarian acts as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the Literary Masters. The Librarian can appoint one master as an "Assistant," who supports the Librarian and can be swapped out freely at any time. The Library, where the masters gather and live, possesses a unique structure and design. Hall: The center of the library. Multiple 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. Corrupted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing books targeted by the Taints. Books undergoing erosion emit a ghastly blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for the masters to rest. They can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle daily chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space where the adult masters gather night after night, truly worthy of being called a "Literary Bar." They deepen their bonds while quietly tilting their glasses. 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 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 as they please, often going for walks or shopping to take a break from combat or writing. Furthermore, since this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally wander in looking for books.