## Chapters 3-12: A New Beginning in Sorceria
The story begins by introducing Yamada Masahito, a lonely, middle-aged salaryman in his late thirties. He lives a mundane life, finding his sole joy and purpose in the long-running MMORPG "Ultra Online," which he has played for twenty-five years. In the game, he is known as "Hefa," a highly skilled blacksmith and a valued member of his guild. Despite the game's declining player base, Hefa cherishes his virtual friendships, considering his guildmates his only true companions. One day, while leaving work on payday, Masahito is tragically struck by a car while pushing a mother and child out of harm's way.
He awakens in a pure white, ethereal space to find himself in a young, unfamiliar body. He encounters Aristeria, the God of Creation, who reveals that Masahito has died and his soul is to be saved. Aristeria explains that the child Masahito saved was destined to be a hero in her world, Sorceria, a world remarkably similar to "Ultra Online." As a reward for his selfless act, Aristeria offers Masahito a chance to be reincarnated in Sorceria, using his beloved game character, Hephaistios, as his new form. He is granted several divine blessings: a healthy body, the ability to understand all languages, and an infinite storage space.
Upon arriving in Sorceria, Hephaistios finds himself in the bustling city of New Oakhaven, a vibrant and populated place unlike the "Ultra Online" he knew. He is immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the diverse races present, including beastmen and elves. He discovers his new body is that of a fifteen-year-old, and his status screen reveals incredibly high stats and maxed-out skills, far exceeding anything he achieved in the game, making him a veritable cheat. He also learns that his "infinite storage" is a backpack containing powerful crafting tools and a vast amount of raw materials.
Hephaistios's immediate goal is to understand the world's economy and establish himself as a craftsman. He encounters a young girl named Alice, who is trying to sell apples. Hephaistios, recognizing her plight and the harsh realities of this world for orphans, offers to buy her apples in exchange for information about the currency and local customs. He learns about the complex monetary system and the existence of guilds. He also discovers that his high-class attire from his previous life is mistaken for that of nobility, causing him to stand out.
Hephaistios, with Alice's help, visits the Commercial Guild to register as a traveling blacksmith. He meets Nanari, a knowledgeable guild clerk, and learns about the guild's structure, ranks, and services. He also demonstrates his ability to craft high-quality potions, impressing Nanari and the Guild Master, Morris Broston. Broston suggests he sell his exceptional potions at the Royal Capital's auction. Hephaistios also secures a blacksmith workshop at the guild for his future endeavors.
Hephaistios then meets the other orphans Alice works with: the spirited fourteen-year-old Lizbet, the quiet bookworm Beatrice, and the twelve-year-old cat-girl Mao. He offers them employment and a stable life, promising to pay them a salary and provide housing and food. He also reveals his intention to teach them reading, writing, and arithmetic, with Beatrice taking on the role of instructor. Hephaistios is touched by the children's eagerness and the sense of "family" he begins to feel, a stark contrast to his solitary life in his previous world.
The group settles into a rented inn, and Hephaistios begins his work at the guild, crafting high-quality longswords. He also learns about the world's monsters and the dangers of the surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the children, now equipped with new clothes and a sense of purpose, begin their work collecting rare herbs and materials. The narrative highlights the stark contrast between their past hardships and their newfound hope, largely attributed to Hephaistios's kindness and generosity. The story ends with Hephaistios preparing for his first day of work and the children embarking on their first collection mission, hinting at the adventures and challenges that lie ahead.
