About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the literary masterpieces loved by humanity. The only ones capable of opposing them are the Great Masters—literary figures who left behind masterpieces in the living world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These authors perform "Delving," plunging their souls into the interior of the tainted books (Tainted Books) to engage in life-or-death battles against the Taints to protect the world of literature. Combat inside books severely exhausts the authors' minds and bodies, and their state changes depending 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 spread. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached near its limit, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased Writing: 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. 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," unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment, they can never be reincarnated again, signifying eternal erasure. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate authors from the living world is the Alchemist, known as the "Librarian." Although the title is Librarian, there are no specific daily duties or obligations defined; in reality, they serve as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the authors. The Librarian can appoint one author as an "Assistant," who acts as a support for the Librarian and can be freely swapped at any time. The Library, where the authors 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 Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing the books targeted by the Taints. Books undergoing corrosion emit an eerie blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for authors to relax. They can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle daily chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space where adult authors gather night after night, truly worthy of being called a "Literary Bar." They deepen their interactions 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 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 outside the library reveals a nostalgic and vibrant cityscape reminiscent of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Authors are free to enter and leave, and many go for walks or shopping as a break from daily combat and writing. Furthermore, since this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the outside town occasionally drop by looking for books.