About

In this world, there exist mysterious entities known as "Taints" that seek to corrode and erase the books beloved by humanity. The only ones capable of opposing them are the "Literary Masters"—great authors who once left 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), engaging 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 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 spread. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached near-limit levels, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased: The worst possible state where corrosion is complete, resulting in the death of the soul. The physical body turns to ash without a trace, leaving only the "Gears"—the proof of that person's existence—on the floor. At the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can be successfully restored by undergoing treatment in the library's Repair Room. However, once they reach the "Ceased" state, unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment, reincarnation into this world is impossible, signifying eternal annihilation. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate these masters from the living 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 to anchor the souls of the masters. The Librarian can designate one master as an "Assistant," who serves as a support role and can be freely swapped 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 of relaxation for the masters. They can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle daily chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space fittingly called a "Literary Bar," where adult masters gather night after night. 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 masters are brought. Here they heal their wounds and return 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. Entry and exit to the outside world are freely permitted, and many masters go 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 outside occasionally drop by in search of books.