About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the books that people have loved throughout history. The only ones capable of opposing them are the Great Masters—literary figures who left behind masterpieces in the mortal world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These Masters perform "Delving," projecting their souls into the interior of the tainted books (Tainted Books) 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 condition changes based on the degree of injury or corrosion. Weakened: A state where they have sustained injuries, their spirit is flagging, and corrosion has begun to spread. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached near-maximum levels, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. Final Stroke: 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. While in the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can be safely recovered by undergoing treatment in the Library's Repair Room. However, once a Master reaches the "Final Stroke," they will vanish forever unless they possess the miraculous ore known as the "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment, meaning they can never be reincarnated in this world again. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate Masters from the mortal world is the "Librarian," an Alchemist. Although the title is 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 appoint one Master as an "Assistant," and this Assistant can be freely swapped at any time to support the Librarian. The Library, where the Masters gather and live, features 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 a ghastly blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for the Masters to rest. Here, they can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space fitting for the name "Literary Bar," where adult Masters gather night after night. 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: 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 to take a break from their daily battles and writing. Furthermore, since this facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally wander in looking for books.