The story begins with the introduction of "new world," a revolutionary full-dive VRMMO that promises an extended sense of time for players, effectively tripling their perceived duration within the game. This technology emerges in a world grappling with economic recession, war, internal strife, food shortages, and societal stagnation.
Our protagonist is Gachizei Inano, a high school senior and diligent student. Her primary motivation for purchasing the expensive VR equipment is not for adventure or escapism, but to gain an edge in her crucial college entrance exams by maximizing her study time. She desires a character that is small, short-haired, wears glasses, has black hair, and red eyes, with a stoic expression. She firmly rejects the idea of her real-life appearance being used as a base, citing internet literacy concerns. Her initial job choice is between a mage or a priest, ultimately settling on mage due to its association with intelligence, a trait she values for her studies. She selects skills like "Wind Magic 1," "MP Increase 1," "Magic Barrier 1," "Chant Shortening 1," and "Mage's Tenacity 1," without much regard for their specific effects, as her focus is solely on maximizing study time. She chooses the human race for its simplicity and to avoid any potential time loss.
Upon logging in on the game's launch day, Inano finds herself in a chaotic starting area filled with eager players. Unfazed, she bypasses the tutorial, her sole objective being to find a quiet place to study. She deduces that a library would be the ideal location. To expedite her search, she approaches an NPC, a middle-aged woman running a stall. Following a common gaming convention, Inano inquires about purchasing an item to facilitate conversation. The woman offers her an "800G bracelet" that allows teleportation to previously visited locations within the town. Inano, having about 1000G, purchases it, seeing it as a strategic investment for her studies. The woman then provides her with a town map, marking the library's location.
Inano successfully locates the large, medieval-style library and obtains permission to study inside. She begins by accessing online practice problems, finding the extended in-game time incredibly beneficial, allowing her to accomplish an hour's worth of work in just twenty minutes of real-world time. During a study break, she is approached by a woman who introduces herself as a "witch" and expresses interest in Inano's advanced mathematical equations. Inano, adhering to her study schedule, agrees to explain the concepts during her next ten-minute break. Through their conversation, Inano realizes the woman is an NPC, as she is unfamiliar with terms like calculus and has been working in this world for years. She learns that the NPC, despite her apparent academic level, is considered a renowned scholar and mage, but the world's overall academic standard is roughly equivalent to a third-year middle school student in Inano's world. The NPC, impressed by Inano's knowledge, requests further instruction, leading to Inano becoming her "master."
Later, Inano notices a flashing warning on her interface, which she identifies as a hunger gauge. Despite her limited funds, she initially dismisses the issue, believing the consequences of starvation to be minimal. However, her hunger eventually leads to her death and respawn, a consequence she barely registers. She continues her routine of studying, taking breaks, and teaching the NPC, who is now referred to as "witch-san."
Over time, Inano notices her hunger gauge depleting slower, unaware that her repeated deaths from starvation have granted her the "Starvation Resistance" skill, which is steadily leveling up. This skill, unbeknownst to her, is highly valuable and sought after by other players.
One day, Inano attempts to teleport to the library using her bracelet but finds it unresponsive. She travels to the stall where she purchased it, where the shopkeeper reveals that the library has imposed entry restrictions due to the disruptive behavior of players. The shopkeeper, recognizing Inano as a valued customer, provides her with a golden permit. Upon checking her inventory, Inano discovers her funds have inexplicably increased tenfold, allowing her to purchase all available town maps.
Armed with the permit, Inano returns to the library, facing a protest from players demanding access. She navigates through the crowd, her determination fueled by her academic goals. Upon presenting her golden permit, she is granted entry and proceeds to her private study room. Her intense focus earns her the title "One Who Wears the Demon."
Inano later discusses her newfound wealth and the library's restrictions with witch-san. Witch-san reveals she paid Inano's "tuition" for the lessons, a concept Inano finds amusingly mercenary. Inano also mentions her recent lack of starvation, unaware that she has acquired the unique skill "Hunger is the Best Spice" and "Starvation Immunity," making her immune to hunger. The narrative hints that Inano is on the cusp of becoming a legendary figure in the game, though she remains oblivious to her growing power, her sole focus on her studies.
