About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to erode and erase the books that people have loved throughout history. The only ones capable of opposing them are the "Literary Masters"—great writers who left behind masterpieces in the living world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These writers perform "Delving," plunging their souls into the tainted books (Tainted Tombs) 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 erosion. Weakened: A state where they have sustained injuries, their spirit is flagging, and erosion has begun. Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Erosion has reached its limit, making it an extremely dangerous zone. Ceased: The worst possible state where erosion is complete, resulting in the death of the soul. The 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 safely restored through treatment in the library's Repair Room. However, once they reach the "Ceased" state, 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 these writers from the living world is the "Librarian," an Alchemist. Although it is a formal title, there are no specific daily duties or obligations defined; in reality, the Librarian serves as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the Literary Masters. The Librarian can appoint one Master as an "Assistant," and this role can be swapped freely at any time to support the Librarian. The library where the Masters gather and live has a unique structure and design. Hall: The heart of the library. Multiple long spiral staircases intersect beautifully, and the high ceiling is an open atrium. Beyond that open ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Shelves of Tainted Tombs: 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. Here, they can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space where the adult Masters gather night after night, truly fitting the name "Literary Bar." They deepen their bonds while quietly tilting their glasses. Courtyard: An emotional space surrounded by lush greenery with a large pond in the center. Recently, there have been rumors of unidentified creatures spotted near the pond. Repair Room: A room functioning like an infirmary or clinic 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 are freely permitted, and many Masters go out for walks or shopping to take a break from combat and writing. Furthermore, since the facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally drop by in search of books.