Shangri-La Frontier

Rakuro tackles glitch-free Shangri-La Frontier after burning out on trash games

In a future where full-dive VR dominates, Rakuro, known as Sunraku, is a hunter of low-quality "trash games" plagued by glitches. Despite his classmate Rei’s unspoken affection, Rakuro suffers mental burnout after weeks of completing these flawed titles. Persuaded by shop owner Mana, he switches to Shangri-La Frontier, a mainstream title with 30 million players and no glitches. Adopting a unique Wanderer build featuring twin blades, high luck, minimal armor, and a bird head mask, he skips the tutorial. Rakuro rapidly levels up while fighting monsters en route to Firstia, but ultimately bypasses the starting town to reach Secondil. There, he recklessly engages the area snake boss blocking the bridge, amazed by the smooth gameplay.

Rakuro Survives Snake Venom and Faces Unique Monster in Secondil

Rei visits Firstia seeking Rakuro but finds him absent, assuming he has already departed. Meanwhile, Rakuro nearly dies fighting a snake boss, unaware that at least three players are typically required. His victory raises him to level 14, yet snake venom continues to drain his health. He rushes to Secondil, where veteran player Reiji helps him register a respawn point to avoid restarting. After respawning, Rakuro buys normal armor to blend in, keeping only his bird mask. The blacksmith directs him to Diremarsh swamp to mine ore for new weapons, but realistic mud slows his movement. Equipped with Marsh Daggers, Rakuro ignores warnings and hunts monsters at night. Rei searches for him in Secondil, doubting a new player could reach that far alone. Rakuro then encounters Lycagon Nightslayer, a unique monster so high-level that none of the game's 30 million players have ever defeated it.

Rakuro faces Lycagon’s Curse and visits Rabituza after Rei observes his defeat.

Rei discovers Rakuro has arrived in Secondil, where other players recognize him as a member of the clan hunting Lycagon. Although Rakuro lands perfect strikes, Lycagon bites off his legs. He vows to defeat the beast before completing more of the game. Upon respawning, Rakuro suffers Lycagon’s Curse, which prevents him from equipping leg or body armor but grants magic immunity. He can no longer fight weaker monsters, and NPCs treat him differently. The curse is permanent unless removed by a Saint or killing Lycagon. Forced to wear swim shorts, Rakuro accepts a Unique Scenario invitation to the rabbit city Rabituza, unaware the recommended skill level is 80. Inside, white rabbit Emul congratulates him for embodying the Vorpal Rabbit spirit. Lycagon marked him as a worthy opponent, making Rakuro the first player invited to meet Rabbit King Vysache. A flashback reveals Rei started playing on Mana’s advice to get close to Rakuro.

Rakuro Trains with Vysache and Enters BERP While Emul Follows

Mana urges Rei to continue searching for Rakuro, who confirms he is the first to meet Vysache. Vysache provides Vorpal training and a collar that reduces experience gains by 50% while increasing status gains by 250%. Rakuro is invited to BERP, a trash game hub, by his online friend Katzo. After Rakuro explains his rivalry with Lycagon, Katzo and Arthur Pencilgon consider playing Shangri-La. Due to new players during summer break, Rakuro leaves the Unique Vorpal Scenario to reach Thirdrema. Emul accompanies him as an NPC follower for teleportation to Rabituza. Players photograph Emul, and Rakuro notes weak monsters flee from him. He defeats the Mud Digger boss in a swamp to proceed, but suffers a nightmare where Emul eats his character upon logout.

Rakuro and Emul defeat Mud-Digger, but Rakuro attracts dangerous attention in Thirdrema.

Rakuro nearly dies relying on solo skills until Emul saves him, reminding him she is a party member. After dealing significant damage to Mud-Digger, Rakuro is launched into the air for an unavoidable fall. Emul teleports him onto the monster, turning the descent into a lethal headbutt that kills the enemy instantly. Rakuro feels disappointed for needing Emul’s help despite her superior strength. Upon reaching Thirdrema, Emul disguises herself as a human girl, while Rakuro’s attire of only shorts draws unwanted attention. A photograph of him spreads, revealing his unique NPC and victory over Lycagon. This fame attracts Psyger from Rei’s Lycagon hunter clan and members of Ashura Kai, an assassin group that kills players for fun. Rakuro is accosted by Animalia, a player obsessed with acquiring a vorpal rabbit NPC. While distracted by her, he is nearly killed by Arthur Pencilgon, a level 99 player killer.

The Writing Tool Knight-Queen

Rakuro identifies Arthur as a former rival from a post-apocalyptic trash game where she became the Dystopian Empress. She traveled from the 50th city Fifticia to kill him. Animalia reveals Arthur is the level 99 second-in-command of Ashura Kai, specializing in assassinating higher-level players. During their battle, Arthur relays a demand from Ashura Kai’s leader to share access to the unique scenario for vorpal rabbit NPCs. Emul loses her human form and reverts to a rabbit. Animalia attacks Arthur to protect Emul, enabling Rakuro to reach Thirdrema's gate for a respawn point, though he is intercepted by Arthur's allies. Animalia is defeated and succumbs to poison magic. Rakuro is unexpectedly rescued by Rei, who located him via a photograph shared by her sister, Psyger-100. Arthur recognizes Rei as Psyger-0, but her distraction allows Animalia to strike with magic.

Rakuro Survives Deadly Training Against Aberrant Woodmage in Thirdrema

Animalia’s spell kills herself and Arthur, allowing Rakuro to escape into Thirdrema. Rei, thrilled by their brief interaction, eliminates the assassins. Arthur invites Rakuro to play later with Katzo. Rakuro teleports to Rabituza for training, battling Packhounds level 65 or higher. After seven deaths, he learns their patterns and wins. He faces progressively stronger foes, including a Tentacle Parasite, Goblin Berserker, Dino-boar, Toxic Eagle, Armoured Larva, Execu-panther, Twinhead Tiger, and Golem. These victories only raise him to level 31 due to the vorpal collar’s reduced experience. Vysache appears for the tenth fight against Aberrant Woodmage, level 120. This tree-type sorcerer was caught specifically for Rakuro. Vysache demands Rakuro survive five minutes to win the round.

Rakuro defeats Woodmage, gains citizenship, and spots Rei while exploring.

Rakuro realizes the Woodmage is immune to physical damage, forcing him to dodge for two minutes. Suffering mental strain, he recalls his habit of choosing easy paths in trash games and feels disgust. He steals the Woodmage's staff, nullifying spells, and wins the match. Enraged, the Woodmage breaks rules to kill Rakuro, but Vysache intervenes and kills him. Rakuro receives an honorary Rabituzan citizen title and a removed vorpal collar. Disappointed, he learns this unlocks the Vorpal Epic scenario. Due to complex instructions requiring Shangri-La history research, he chooses to explore instead. Emul's brother Peatz provides a Keffiyeh and robe to hide Rakuro's identity. As Rakuro considers visiting Fourfolkshire, Fivelle, or Sixenveldt, he notices Rei watching him ominously.

A Brilliant Expanse of Forests

The group embarks on an adventure to explore and loot ancient tombs.

The Glimmer of Truth

Regrets Always Lie in the Past

Only Resentments Regarding the End of Life Remain