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

The sight of just one player walking toward them wouldn't normally send shivers down their spines, even if it was a renowned figure like Alex. Backstab and Kenji, recognized as stalwarts of the server, cast imposing shadows with their formidable skills. Their levels surpassed even that of Alex himself, making them towering figures in the virtual realm. For them, the prospect of facing off against Alex posed no significant threat.

But the situation they found themselves in now was far from ideal. Their health points dwindled precariously low, and the mana reserves of their mages had been thoroughly depleted. With potions rendered ineffective due to cooldowns, they stood vulnerable and exposed, teetering on the brink of defeat.

"What are you doing, Shadowborn? Are you itching for a fight? We outnumber you four to one!" Kenji's voice boomed, a blend of bravado and caution echoing through the virtual expanse.

Killing, and Level up