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

Alex's heart raced, his senses heightened to their peak. He fixed his gaze on the approaching boss, now reduced to crawling like a true beast, owing to the loss of one of its legs and an arm. Its movements were limited, unable to execute the same attacks as before.

"I can do this!" Alex affirmed inwardly, seizing the opportunity presented by the weakened state of his opponent. Knowing that such a formidable creature likely possessed remarkable regenerative abilities, Alex understood the urgency of concluding the battle swiftly. Procrastination would only exacerbate the situation.

With determination fueling his actions, Alex opted for a simple straight sword as his weapon of choice. There was no elaborate strategy behind this decision—no special bonuses or tactical considerations. It simply boiled down to his proficiency with the one-handed sword, which surpassed his skill with any other weapon type.

Clash of Titans