So, I like the whole second chance and virtual reality genre. I am seeking to expand my horizon though, and want to see something outside these two. I dislike xianxia, xuanhuan (as their prose and terminology don't resonate with me), explicit homoerotic situation. I prefer not to read romance as a main genre. I prefer thinker protagonist, if possible.
Not sure what exactly you mean by second chance. I'm taking it as something along the lines of Mushoku Tensei, rather than the isekai genre in general. http://forum.novelupdates.com/threads/suggestions-for-must-read-novels.19119/ ^check these out if there's some titles you haven't read from there Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyusoukyoku (WN) It's an isekai story, but not second chance. Has a harem, but I wouldn't really call it romance... Dungeon Defense Reincarnation, but not sure if I would call it second chance... Thinker protagonist who can't fight personally. Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? Also isekai, but not second chance. The Lazy Swordmaster Second chance at life. But he succeeded in beating the big bad boss in his first life, so... Not second chance in the conventional sense, maybe? The King’s Avatar E-sports story. Has a hint of romance, but it's barely there even to the end. Has gaming, but isn't VR. Uchi no Musume no Tame naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maou mo Taoseru kamo Shirenai (WN) Not isekai. No second chance. No romance; it's about adoptive father-daughter familial relationship. Nigotta Hitomi no Lilianne Cute story, neither action nor romance focused. Stuff on Este's site https://oniichanyamete.wordpress.com/ Aside from Evil God Average, which is kinda second-chancey. I'll Live My Second Life! is a story about a princess who hides her identity and becomes a knight trainee. Not isekai second chance. Stuff on Baka-Tsuki. More harem stuff here than isekai.
I've got no idea about the prose and terminology, but I think Godly Hunter is the most 'unique' VR MMORPG novel I've read. As in other VR novels aren't really bad, but they're usually pretty similar so reading another VR novel that's more different and has a MC that isn't looking to become omnipotent is refreshing and interesting.
Running Away From The Hero, if you haven't read it already The Grandmaster Strategist, though I only read 3 chapters, I think it's quite good and many have recommend it Heavy Object, though the protagonists are quite foolish sometimes
Absolute Choice, Acquiring Talent in a Dungeon, Breakers, Chronicles of Primordial Wars, Dominion’s End, Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, Galactic Dark Net, Game Market 1983, Isekai Izakaya Nobu, Isekai Yururi Kikou, I’m Really a Superstar, Star Rank Hunter, Sword Shisou, The Charm of Soul Pets, The Evil Org Ad
Manga Birdmen The protagonist is paranoid thinker type. Yuusha ga shinda The protagonist is a trap user.
1)Father, Mother Escaped Again 2)Kono Sekai ga Game da to, Ore dake ga Shitte Iru 3)Kusoge Online (BETA) 4)My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending 5)Strange Life of a Cat 6)Tensei Oujo wa Kyou mo Hata o Tatakioru 7)The Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich 8)The Latest Game Is Too Amazing 9)While Killing Slimes for 300 Years, I Became the MAX Level Unknowingly
Top Management Monster Factory Gourmet Food Supplier God of Cooking Rebirth of the thief Who Roamed The World
the first two is exactly what I want to avoid, as it contains second chance. I kinda dropped Dungeon Defense after book 3, seeing that it is not interesting to me. Haven't read Release that Witch, so thanks for that. to be honest, I kind of seeking something outside 'second chance' tag, but I may like? thanks for this! thanks for this. I've read Absolute Choice, acquiring talent in a dungeon, Star Rank Hunter already and find them not suitable to my taste.
The Bears Bear a Bare Kuma Somewhat has VR due to her equipment coming from a game given by God. No romance and mostly transported/teleported
i know you said no xianxia, so i am not recommending, just putting it out there. Best thinker protag, hands down, is Han Li from Record of Mortal's journey to Immortality. That guy is realistic and super paranoid. Keeps making backup plans for taking even one step. I dont think any other xianxia protagonist is as careful as him.