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 pain was unlike anything Alex had ever experienced in the game, or in real life. It felt as though a thousand needles were piercing his skull, reaching deep into his brain.

"What happened!?" Joseph, Emma, and Mary rushed to his side, attempting to alleviate his suffering, but nothing they did seemed to help. Alex remained trapped in an endless cycle of agony, oblivious to their efforts.

It took five excruciating minutes for the pain to finally subside, and for Alex to regain his senses. However, even after the torment had passed, he remained in a daze, his gaze unfocused as he struggled to comprehend what had transpired.

"I-I don't know... Something feels different," Alex muttered, his voice trembling.

"What do you mean? Please, tell us! We're all terrified," Emma implored, her face etched with concern.

Alpha