Written by Satou and published by Shinkigensha. It provides the most detailed world-building and character internal monologues.
The antagonist who manipulates the "Skill Descent Ceremony" to bind Ark's companions to his own party.
The story begins with a setup that is instantly recognizable yet brutally subverted. We have a protagonist who has worked hard, supported his party, and developed deep bonds (and romantic feelings) for his companions. However, the arrival of the "Hero"—a figure typically synonymous with justice and hope—brings nothing but despair.
Victory isn't always about the loudest cheers or the biggest party. Sometimes, victory is simply being the last one standing when the dust settles, proving that you didn't need a "Hero" to define your worth.
There is a specific kind of grit required to keep moving when you are the only one left. Most people would break. They would turn into villains or simply give up on the world. But there is something incredibly powerful about the protagonist who says, "Fine. Go with him. I’ll still win this on my own."