The story begins with the protagonist, Yata, being invited by his friend to play a new VRMMO called "Hunter and Smith Online" (HASO). Yata, initially hesitant as he's new to MMOs, agrees after his friend assures him of game access and promises to play at his own pace.
On the day of service commencement, Yata customizes his avatar, giving himself white hair with red streaks and orange eyes, while keeping his body close to his real-life physique. He chooses the name "Yata" and selects his initial seven skills: Mace Mastery, Mace Craftsman, Grip Enhancement, Grasp, Throwing, Bite, and Iron Stomach. These skills reflect his unconventional "Barbarian" playstyle, focusing on raw physical power and close-quarters combat rather than traditional weapon skills. He receives basic starting equipment: a mace, leather armor, and a knife.
Upon entering the game world, Yata meets his friend, who introduces himself as "Yuf." Yuf is surprised by Yata's skill choices, particularly the combination of mace skills with offensive, grappling, and biting abilities, labeling it "eccentric." Yata explains his desire to play as a barbarian, using the mace for blunt force and his other skills for grappling, throwing, and biting enemies. They decide to head to the East Coast to hunt, as the South Plains are overcrowded due to players seeking skill stones.
At the East Coast, Yata and Yuf split up to hunt. Yata first encounters flying fish, which he defeats using his mace and a thrown pebble. He then faces a large crab, which proves more challenging due to its tough shell and powerful attacks. Yata adapts his strategy, using his "Grasp" and "Grip Enhancement" skills to immobilize the crab's claw and then employing his "Bite" and "Iron Stomach" skills to consume it, finding the meat surprisingly delicious. He successfully obtains a skill stone from the crab and a scale from the fish.
After collecting skill stones from both creatures, Yata and Yuf regroup. Yata uses a skill stone to acquire "Brewmaster" and "Strength Enhancement" skills, further refining his barbarian build. They learn that the game's logout and sleep functions have been disabled due to a hack by a notorious hacker known as the "Electronic Empress." This traps all players inside HASO. A notice from the company explains the situation and the ongoing efforts to restore functionality, acknowledging their limited ability to interfere further.
Yata, unfazed, decides to pursue his own path, believing that diversity is key in this situation. He obtains a private room within the temple, which serves as a personal space with facilities for resting, item storage, equipment changes, and crafting. He attempts to craft items using his skills, focusing on repairing his mace and brewing alcohol. His initial attempts at brewing are unsuccessful, producing "Failed Sake," but he eventually manages to create "Grass Sake" and "Oshio Maneki Leg Sake," which, while not great tasting, contribute to his "Iron Stomach" skill level.
Later, Yata encounters a craftsman named "Gauntlet," who offers to craft equipment in exchange for materials. Yata provides him with fish scales and crab parts, and Gauntlet crafts a "F Fish Scale Necklace" for him. Yata also learns that the string used in the necklace comes from the West Forest's giant caterpillars, indicating his need to venture there for future crafting needs. He decides to head to the West Forest the next day, returning to his private room to rest.