The story begins with Kenji Kano, a fan of tabletop RPGs, finally getting a chance to play "Gate of Amitylisia Online" (GAO), a highly anticipated VRMMORPG that promises to stimulate all five senses and offer unparalleled freedom. After a disappointing failure to become a beta tester, Kenji finally logs in after a week-long business trip. He meticulously crafts his avatar, "Fist," opting for a tanned complexion with black hair and a lean physique, prioritizing a realistic appearance over fantastical elements. His chosen skills reflect his primary motivation: experiencing the game's world through its food and crafting. He selects skills like Hand Technique, Spirit Magic, Cooking, Agility Enhancement, Food Processing, Far Sight, Night Sight, Stealth, Animal Knowledge, and Plant Knowledge.
Upon entering the game world, the city of Einfast, Kenji is immediately struck by the immersive sensory experience. His initial goal is to explore the culinary offerings. He encounters an NPC who directs him to the market for ingredients and the main street for prepared food. Kenji, intentionally disabling player markers, enjoys the natural interactions with NPCs, finding it more akin to his beloved tabletop RPGs. He purchases and devours a "Tiokri chicken leg" from a street vendor, finding it exceptionally delicious and confirming his desire to explore the game's food culture.
Over the next few days, Kenji focuses on skill development. He visits the training grounds to practice his Hand Technique, finding it less popular than weapon-based combat but appreciating its durability advantage. He also begins experimenting with Spirit Magic, learning from instructor Perkins that its effectiveness relies heavily on the player's imagination and the spirits' cooperation. He develops a defensive wind barrier, "Wind Guard," demonstrating the game's flexible magic system. Kenji also starts gathering resources, collecting herbs like "wound healing grass" and "aconite," and learns about the importance of identifying materials through skills like Animal and Plant Knowledge. He purchases basic equipment, including soft leather armor and boots, and a portable cooking set, prioritizing practicality and mobility.
Kenji's interactions with NPCs reveal a growing tension. He witnesses a player being arrested for property damage, highlighting the game's surprisingly robust legal system. This event, coupled with his own positive interactions and observations, leads him and another player, Luke, to research the game's laws at the Great Library of Einfast. They discover that actions considered mundane in other games, like damaging property or even killing NPCs, carry real legal consequences, including imprisonment and potentially death penalties, with duels being a notable exception. Luke, a former beta tester, decides to post this information on the official forums to warn other players.
Kenji also encounters the "Honey Town," a district with establishments offering adult services. While initially intrigued by the concept, he witnesses a player being publicly shamed and ejected for inappropriate behavior, and later hears a cautionary tale of a player contracting a sexually transmitted disease, reinforcing the game's commitment to realism and consequence.
As Kenji's skills and equipment improve, he ventures further into the wilderness. He encounters various creatures, including "Charge Rabbits" and wolves, and learns to adapt his combat style. He also discovers the existence of pet shops and taming shops, and begins to sell his hunted goods to the Hunter's Guild. His interactions with NPCs, particularly hunters, reveal their growing resentment towards players who disregard the game's rules and disrespect their world. Kenji actively tries to bridge this gap through respectful interactions.
A significant turning point occurs when Kenji intervenes in a player's attempt to cut in line at the Hunter's Guild. This action, witnessed by both players and NPCs, earns him the respect of the NPCs and a generous payment for his hunts. However, it also leads to a confrontation with the offending player, "Brute," whom Kenji defeats in a player-versus-player duel, demonstrating the severe consequences of PK (Player Killing) in this world.
Later, Kenji and Luke discover that the "Bounty Hunter System" has been implemented without prior notice, with players now appearing on bounty lists, adding another layer of danger and consequence to the game world. Kenji, embracing the game's depth and realism, continues to develop his skills, focusing on his unique playstyle and navigating the complex social and legal landscape of Einfast.
