The protagonist, Souji, a man burdened by debt and a sense of worthlessness, purchases an exorbitant VRMMOR starter kit for 200,000 yen. This game is rumored to allow players to truly travel to another world, with no return possible. Driven by desperation, Souji activates the kit in his apartment. He dons a helmet-like device and connects it to his PC. After a simple download, a message appears on the helmet's display: "We will now guide you to another world. There is no going back." He then loses consciousness, clutching a tablet-like device.
Souji awakens on a grassy plain under a clear sky, the scent of animals in the air. He confirms his arrival in another world by the presence of the tablet, which displays icons for "Mental Magic Lv1," "Life Magic Lv1," and "Flame Magic Lv1," along with an "Unreceived" status. He discovers that tapping "Mental Magic Lv1" causes nearby goats to focus on him, suggesting he can influence their minds. He realizes this is the game's magic system. He then experiments with "Flame Magic Lv1," managing to create a small flame on his fingertip, though it quickly dissipates. He also attempts "Life Magic Lv1" on a goat, commanding it to "die," but nothing happens, indicating a need for proper application.
He encounters a young girl named Hina, who is tending to goats. Despite the language barrier, the game's helmet seems to translate their speech. Hina explains they are in "Goat Hills," near a settlement called "Orphan's Village." Souji learns that Hina is a goat herder tasked with bringing the goats to good pastures. He offers his assistance, and Hina invites him to her mountain hut. The journey to the hut reveals Souji's severe lack of physical stamina, contrasting with Hina's agility. Upon arrival at the well-built hut, Souji attempts to help by chopping firewood, but his hands are ill-suited for the task, resulting in blisters and bleeding. Hina provides him with a more suitable tool and asks for his help with starting a fire, a task he accomplishes using his "Flame Magic."
Hina reveals that she lives alone in the hut, which also serves as a shelter for lost travelers. She explains that food is delivered regularly for two people, as it's expected that someone might stay with her. Souji, feeling a growing attachment to Hina, expresses his desire to stay and help. The next morning, however, Hina's demeanor changes drastically. She tells Souji to leave, stating she's not interested in someone who doesn't show interest in her. She explains her loneliness and her hope that a man would come to help her return to the village, implying she felt Souji's lack of romantic interest was a missed opportunity.
Confused and hurt, Souji decides to leave the hut. He heads towards the pasture, intending to find Hina. He discovers several goats have fled into the forest, and following their scent and Hina's faint presence, he finds a cave. Inside, he witnesses a gruesome scene: a two-headed wolf-like beast devouring a goat, with Hina lying unconscious nearby, seemingly a victim of the beast or its captors. Driven by a newfound sense of responsibility and a desire to protect Hina, Souji prepares to confront the beast, intending to use his "Mental Magic" to slow it down, despite the uncertainty of its effectiveness. He is determined to save Hina, even if it means facing an unknown and dangerous threat.
