How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom - Vol 3 Chapter 2.2: In Town B

Summary Version 1:

The mysterious boy Ling Chen is saved by a little girl as he lay on the street dying. Years later, he strikes a deal to save this savior-turned sister and enters the virtual world. In a future Earth where advanced warfare has forced nations to settle issues virtually or else suffer the consequences, Ling Chen bursts into the scene and goes from unknown to legend. Yet all is not as it seems, for Ling Chen has a dark past, and there is a greater mystery at hand behind this virtual world.

Summary Version 2:

To save his terminally ill little sister, Ling Chen enters the newly released virtual game world and joins a small gaming studio comprising entirely of women. From now on walking upon his path towards the pinnacle. An ancient, evil item almost forgotten by history, the “Lunar Scourge” helps forge his unsurpassable legend, and causes him to unknowingly step upon a path that is destined to be punished by the heavens, the way of the shura.

Son of the Senior Chancellor, Luo Wei, loved the wrong person in his past life. This mistake caused his entire family to be wiped out, and in the end, he was cast down as a pleasure slave, and died in the wilderness during the depths of winter.

Somehow, the heavens did not give up on him and gave him a second chance at life. He believed this rebirth was only meant for atonement, and not love. Yet, as he plotted his vengeance, Luo Wei quickly realized that passion would again be his fatal downfall.

The once emperor, the lover from his past life, his beloved in this life, and an opposing empire’s monarch who is doomed to love him, who is supposed to be good for whom?

And who is supposed to hurt whom? A hero chasing after a dream, an empire of a thousand years, a kingdom stretching across the known lands, all flashing before the eyes like a mirage. Is it worthwhile to trade a hundred years of my loneliness to give you a single lifetime of joy?

- Description from Novelupdates

Leaning against the attic window, Luo Manman was on the verge of falling.

Her long hair obscured her expressions. With an innately ugly face, even her best efforts could hardly make her figure remotely normal.

Just as she was somewhat inclined to end it all.

[Would you like a better appearance? In exchange for a different life?] A voice named Pandora sounded in her ears.

Luo Manman quirked her lips into a faint smile and gave an unexpected reply: I don’t want it.

[…..]

After Pandora offered her one benefit after another, Luo Manman agreed to this game of life.

Pretending to breathe with difficulty

Starting to peddle composure

The already filthy viscera

Buried under the striking appearance

Was the new life of this skin really a salvation?

Or a cover up of a thrilling sin?

A story about the intersection of skin and destiny unfolded…

What’s worse than finding out you’re that Louis XIV when you’re a baby?

Of course there is, for example, it’s still a magic version.

- Description from novelbuddy