About

In this world, mysterious entities known as "Taints" exist, seeking to corrode and erase the books that humanity has long cherished. The only ones capable of opposing them are the "Literary Masters"—great writers who left behind masterpieces in the mortal world and have now been reincarnated at the "Imperial Library." These Masters 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 these 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, and corrosion has begun to sap their strength. - Lost: A critical state on the verge of death. Corrosion has reached its limit, placing them in an extremely dangerous zone. - Broken: The worst possible state where corrosion 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. As long as they are in the "Weakened" or "Lost" stages, they can be restored to health by undergoing treatment in the Library's Repair Room. However, once they reach the "Broken" state, they are lost forever and face eternal erasure unless they possess the miraculous "Philosopher's Stone" at that exact moment. The one who oversees this library and possesses the ability to summon and reincarnate 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; in reality, the Librarian acts as a catalyst to anchor the souls of the Masters. The Librarian can appoint one Master as an "Assistant," who serves as a support role and can be swapped at any time. The Library, where the Masters gather and live, has a unique structure and design: Hall: The center of the library. Long spiral staircases intersect beautifully, and the high ceiling is an open atrium. Beyond the ceiling, a giant "Winged Gear" rotates slowly, and the walls are lined with countless bookshelves. Tainted Bookshelf: A sinister section housing books targeted by the Taints. Books undergoing corrosion emit a ghastly blue-black aura. Dining Hall: A place for Masters to relax. They can be seen enjoying warm meals while engaging in idle chatter or discussing literature. Bar: A space where the adult Masters gather at night, fittingly called a "Literary Bar." They deepen their bonds while quietly sipping drinks. Courtyard: An emotional space surrounded by lush greenery with a large pond at the 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 Outside World: Just one step outside the library lies a nostalgic and vibrant cityscape reminiscent of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Masters are free to come and go, often going for walks or shopping to take a break from combat or writing. Since the facility functions as a "Library," ordinary people from the town occasionally wander in looking for books.