is a Japanese light novel series written by Shinta Fuji and illustrated by Susumu Kuroi. It began serialization online in January 2019 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Media Factory, who have published five volumes since September 2019 under their MF Books imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Masaki Kawakami has been serialized online via Kadokawa Shoten's ComicWalker website since October 2019. It has been collected in six tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by Geek Toys aired from January to March 2023.
Synopsis
Veteran adventurer Nick works his hardest to progress his party to full rank as his ultimate dream. He is however unceremoniously expelled from the party due to disapproval, phony romance, and embezzlement. The directionless Nick spends his funds on merchandise and becomes an idol otaku to make ends meet. As luck would have it, three depressed individuals sat down at his table together drinking as a means of coping, when they all divulged their utter stories. Each of the four has one common thread: betrayal. Nick, mage Tiana, cleric Zem, and half-dragon Curran agree to form an unbreakable team to save humanity from corruption.
Characters
The main protagonist and the party's leader. He was formerly part of the adventurer's party All Martial Arts until he was expelled following an argument caused by his former teammates embezzling funds. Afterward, he is dumped by his scammer girlfriend and goes downward where he wastes his remaining money on idols. However, upon meeting Tiana, Curran, and Zem and bonding over their shared betrayals, he proposes that they form a new party called The Survivors to fund their spendthrift lifestyles all whilst working to overcome their issues, in his case his tendency to talk down to others.
A former noblewoman and the party's magic caster. She was an exceptional student at her prestigious academy. The jealousy aroused by her high magical abilities sparked malicious rumors which had her spiteful fiancé end their engagement and stripped her of her title after easily believing Tiana to have bullied and bribed a fellow student (the real culprit) and teachers. After losing all her money in gambling racing, her fierce appearance makes recruiting party members to earn money difficult until she meets Nick, Curran, and Zem.
A dragonkin and the party's warrior. In her latest adventure in a battle against a dungeon serpent, her conning teammates left Curran heavily poisoned and even stole her belongings when they pronounced her dead. Curren miraculously survives and is determined to recover a valuable dragon king's jewel. She is the only party member who does not have a bad spending habit, causing her new teammates to entrust her with storing their shared funds.
A former priest and the party's healer. He lived as an aspiring worshiper of god until he rejected an underage girl's romance. She then falsely accused him of assaulting her out of revenge which led to his revocation and banishment from the Church. A kindhearted innkeeper later took him in and suggested he should become an adventurer to which Zem soon did.
The Holy Sword of Bonds its the power to fuse two trusted entities into a stronger single figure. It takes on the form of an androgynous young man who becomes a companion of The Survivors.
A singing idol Nick befriended and sees her as a role model. He collects merchandise based on her idol group for his hobby.
Media
Light novels
The series written by Shinta Fuji began serialization in the user-generated novel publishing site Shōsetsuka ni Narō in January 2019. It was later acquired by Media Factory, who publishing it with illustrations by Susumu Kuroi under their MF Books imprint. The series has released five volumes as of March 24, 2023.
At Sakura-Con 2022, Yen Press announced that they licensed the series for English publication.
Manga
A manga adaptation with art by Masaki Kawakami began serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's ComicWalker website on October 25, 2019.
At Anime Expo 2022, Yen Press announced that they licensed the manga for English publication.