BigToad

Alex Mercer was a legendary thief known for his audacious heists and cunning skills. However, his criminal streak comes to an abrupt halt when he is finally apprehended and sentenced to prison.

In the midst of his imprisonment, a revolutionary virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game (VRMMORPG) is launched, called Eternal Realms, captivating the attention of the entire world. The prison authorities, seeking to introduce recreational activities for the inmates, decide to allow select prisoners to participate in the game as a means of passing the time.

Eager to escape the monotony of prison life, Alex eagerly takes up the opportunity to join the immersive virtual world. To his surprise, he discovers that his notoriety as a master thief has caught the attention of players within the game. They started offering him IRL means to reduce his prison sentence in an exchange on a daring quest to retrieve valuable treasures scattered throughout the virtual realm.

With a hidden class known as the "Shadow Hunter," Alex possesses unique skills and abilities that make him an invaluable asset to the players seeking rare and precious items. As he delves deeper into the virtual world, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of alliances, rivalries, and dangerous quests that blur the line between the game and reality.

As the stakes rise, Alex must navigate treacherous dungeons, confront formidable adversaries, and outwit both in-game challenges and real-world dangers. Along the way, he forms unexpected alliances and confronts his own inner demons, questioning the choices that led him down a path of crime.
*
For anyone wondering about the romance, it will take a long time as this is not the focus of the book.

MMORPG: Shadow Hunter

The surroundings were dark, and the sound of drips echoed through the tunnel. Alex and Mikkel entered the so-called "secret" passage and made their way through the tunnels.

"This place doesn't smell as bad as I imagined," remarked Alex.

"Magic works wonders. They can make any place smell good. Anyway, I'm sure we'll find some room to use as our new base!" Mikkel had been discovered in his cave and was now seeking a place to stay while advancing his plans, whatever they may be.

Alex was eager to return to the city and continue leveling up. Other players were getting too close for comfort.

"Here! This room looks great," said Mikkel, examining the chosen location and nodding in approval. "This will be my new base. You can find me here anytime. First, go meet Samantha in the city and make sure she doesn't get caught, please."

Turn of Events, Who to Trust?