The Shaman's Path. Kartos's Gambit

The newest technologies made it possible to create Barlion—a virtual world for entertainment, rest, and communication. The government guaranteed the legitimacy of game money and its free exchange for real credits. People felt “freebie” money and flooded into Barlion. And naturally, someone came up with the idea to turn Barlion into a place for punishing criminals. The condemned person’s body was placed in a capsule for long-term confinement, while their consciousness was sent to the mines. And who cares if—virtually. At least for Dmitry Makhana, it didn’t become any easier. Eight years in the mines, an unpopular class Shaman, and an unprestigious specialty in Barlion—Jeweler. The Shaman had only one thing left: fight for survival. And certainly not in the virtual world…