The Selfless Hero Trilogy

Otherlife Dreams (The Selfless Hero Trilogy, #1) by William D. Arand follows Runner, a military IT specialist trapped alongside nearly half a million soldiers inside a virtual game world. With his administrative access locked behind a forgotten password and their memories scrambled during the brain synchronization process, death in the game means death in reality. As Runner navigates this high-stakes environment, he must optimize his abilities and level up strategically to recover lost memories and find a way to survive. The novel blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and action with adult themes and role-playing game mechanics.

Otherlife Nightmares (The Selfless Hero Trilogy, #2) by William D. Arand continues the story of Runner, who has escaped the city before a siege and completed his class promotions under tight time constraints. As he struggles to find the password needed to log off and save thousands of crewmates trapped in a lethal game, the environment and its rules evolve unpredictably, alongside the emergence of sentience in his companions. The narrative explores Runner’s challenges balancing his roles as a gamer, IT support, and officer while dealing with external contact and unexpected capture. The tone combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, and action with adult themes and romance woven into the complex, shifting world.

Otherlife Awakenings (The Selfless Hero Trilogy, #3) by William D. Arand continues the story of Runner and his team as they attempt to establish peace on the isle of Vix after logging out of the game world. Despite their efforts, various threats emerge from local factions, divine forces, and external players aiming to eliminate Runner due to the potential he represents. As the game server approaches a full awakening, raising complex questions about the consciousness of its inhabitants, Runner faces an assassination attempt that forces him to confront what he is willing to risk for his vision of the future. This installment blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and action with mature themes.