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.
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For anyone wondering about the romance, it will take a long time as this is not the focus of the book.

MMORPG: Shadow Hunter

It was still afternoon when they finished bathing in that private area—a pretty good one. Jhin was much happier and no longer looked like a homeless person.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot," Jhin said, grabbing something from his robes. "Here it is."

The item in his hands was the magical whistle Alex had given him during the confusion with Alaric.

"This saved my life. Thank you, again."

Jhin did not know how to repay Alex for what he had done. The only reason he was there, talking to him, was because of the magical horse summoned by the whistle. Not only that, but Alex's quick thinking during the situation made a huge difference.

"No need to thank me. We still have a long journey ahead of us. What do you think? Shall we continue, or do you need to rest?" Alex asked.

Eldoria Magic School