The protagonist, Kenichi Hamada, a 38-year-old man from rural Japan, finds himself inexplicably transported to a dense, dark forest. Retaining his memories, he quickly realizes this is no ordinary forest. After a brief exploration, he stumbles upon the remains of a knight, clad in rusted plate armor, with a sword and a ring beside them. Driven by necessity, Kenichi loots the corpse, acquiring a knife and the ring. Upon uttering "Status Open!", a luminous white panel appears before him, displaying his name, age, and three seemingly unrelated options: "Shangri-La," "Item Box," and "Trash Can."
He discovers that "Shangri-La" is a fully functional online shopping platform, identical to the one he used in his previous life, capable of ordering anything from food to heavy machinery. The "Item Box" allows him to store and retrieve items, while the "Trash Can" functions like a computer's recycle bin, with items being permanently deleted after emptying. Initially wary of the unknown system, Kenichi's immediate need for sustenance forces him to use Shangri-La. He orders bread and milk, but his lack of funds is met with a "Insufficient Balance" message. He then discovers the "Charge" option, where he impulsively throws the rusted sword into the system. To his surprise, the sword is appraised and bought for 100,000 yen, attributed to a hidden ruby. This influx of funds allows him to purchase food and a shovel, with which he buries the knight's remains. He also sells the plate armor for 50,000 yen.
Equipped with a compass and a mountain bike purchased from Shangri-La, Kenichi ventures through the seemingly endless forest for two days. He confirms that living creatures cannot be stored in the Item Box, but their remains can. He also discovers that items placed in the Item Box do not spoil. His journey is interrupted by a pack of large, wolf-like creatures attracted by the smell of his barbecue. Using a combination of fire, fireworks, and a slingshot purchased from Shangri-La, he manages to drive them away. Shaken, he flees the forest on his mountain bike, purchasing a headlamp for visibility.
After five hours of riding, Kenichi spots a clearing and uses a ladder and binoculars to discover a walled city in the distance. He then proceeds to find a road leading to the city, which he learns is called Dalia. He is rescued by a merchant named Fuyo, who offers him a ride. Fuyo recognizes Kenichi as an "Item Box user" and explains the local currency system: copper coins (100 yen equivalent), small square silver coins (5000 yen), silver coins (50,000 yen), and gold coins (200,000 yen). Kenichi learns that Dalia has no taxes but has a Commercial Guild that requires registration.
Upon arriving in Dalia, Kenichi checks into an inn run by Azalea, a young girl who agrees to teach him to read and write in exchange for sweets. He discovers that the local alphabet is similar to Roman letters, making learning relatively easy. He also learns that the spices are controlled by a syndicate called "Bakopa," making it difficult to profit from them. Kenichi begins his entrepreneurial journey by selling items from Shangri-La, such as plates, knives, and paper, at the local market. He also discovers that while foreign coins cannot be directly used, they can be exchanged at the National Exchange Office after a rigorous inspection. He narrowly avoids trouble by not attempting to counterfeit currency.
Kenichi's initial sales focus on practical items like plates, knives, and paper. He also discovers that the local market has a demand for items like laundry clips and bedsheets, which he can procure cheaply from Shangri-La and sell at a significant markup. He befriends a muscular man who helps him move a double bed he purchased, and a female shopkeeper named Amana. He also encounters beastmen, who have superior physical abilities and senses.
During a camping trip with the beastmen, Kenichi cooks a large meal using ingredients from Shangri-La, which is a great success. He also learns about the local currency's value and the existence of magic, though his own abilities remain unexplained. He continues to sell practical goods and begins to explore the possibility of selling silver accessories. He also learns about the dangers of the world, including bandits and the strict regulations surrounding currency.
Kenichi's business ventures continue, with laundry clips proving to be a popular item. He also sells a bed to the muscular man and begins to consider selling silver accessories. He learns that the local currency system is complex and that counterfeiting is a serious crime. He also discovers that while his Item Box is incredibly useful, it has limitations regarding size and the inability to store living creatures. He continues to adapt to this new world, relying on Shangri-La for supplies and his own ingenuity to navigate its challenges. He also learns about the existence of adventurers and the dangers of the wilderness. The story ends with Kenichi planning his next steps in his new life, aiming for a comfortable existence in this unfamiliar world.
