Zion Line is an endless world where survival and fortune are never guaranteed. For Rang Kong Ru, it is a battlefield that spans realities, where every gain moves him closer to avoiding a grim fate—not only for himself but for all of humanity. The skies across two worlds darken, and bloodied but unbowed, he gathers alliances to reclaim their dominance and silence the man named Alleric for good.
From the peak of Earth's elites, the ancient Phoenix clan emerges as a formidable threat. Thanks to Rain, its focus is now fixed on Zion Line, twisting the path he once knew into something far more uncertain.
Rain wouldn’t have it any other way. Pressure is the forge of his evolution, shaping each step of his martial path and transforming him into a weapon his enemies will regret wielding. He has no intention of fighting alone. He is gathering legends from the past to forge an army of his own, arming them with the combat arts of a lost future as he prepares to create a guild unlike anything Earth or Vatier has ever seen.
Together, they charge forward on a new adventure, ready to rattle the fragile egos of those who must not be offended. Because at this point, what are one or two more people trying to kill him?
Marshall promises high stakes, a VR MMO adventure where danger grips you and refuses to let go, along with complex litRPG systems layered with magic that continue even after returning to Earth.
Each time I pick up one of these books, I fly through it. This series is one of the most captivating litRPGs I’ve read, similar to the engrossing experience I once had with Sword Art Online. Unlike SAO, however, players in Marshall Messiah can return to real life.
Rain awakens to find himself in what appears to be the past, almost like a second chance. He previously spent around thirty years inside Zion Line, forged into a fighter and soldier. During that first timeline, he worked as a grunt for Konggate and was kept on a metaphorical leash, never able to attain true success. Now, in this redoing of the past, he realizes he can change things for everyone.
In the first book, he begins leveling up his character and becomes one of the first major players in Zion Online. In the second, he continues to progress while gathering people he knew from his previous timeline—players who were once formidable enemies or allies. This time, he plans to lead them toward forming a guild. While a formal guild hasn’t been made yet, he is slowly building a team of adventurers, including his real-life brother and a girl he once had a crush on.
Rain’s influence grows both inside and outside the game. He amasses wealth, buys a house and security, and gains access to things he likely shouldn’t. He forms alliances in real life that benefit him in-game as he shifts power dynamics in Zion Line and Vatier, where much of humanity will eventually work and live. Due to time dilation, minutes in the real world can equal much longer periods in-game, forcing him to walk a careful line to protect his mind.
As we progress into Book 3, Rain is becoming arrogant and cocky. He often forgets what it feels like to be a beginner, pushing his companions extremely hard because he knows what the future holds for them. While his confidence can be frustrating, he has lived this life before and understands what it takes to survive, even if his lack of humility becomes noticeable. His leveling also feels easier, perhaps due to muscle memory or the physical regen serum, which enhances his real-life body and translates into greater in-game power.
I found Book 3 packed with action but not as much forward movement. Rain continues establishing his foothold in real life—buying properties, equipment, and building the foundation for his future guild.
Books 3 and 4 are available on ToraAKR’s Patreon, where chapters appear to continue seamlessly between installments. Book 3 was released on September 15, 2025, with Book 4 available at around 429 pages for the Kindle edition.
One critique I have is about the audiobook narration. The voices feel almost AI-generated, with little inflection or emotion, and some disjointed starts and stops. Human narrators usually bring more feeling and tension to the reading, which I found lacking here.
A major reveal is that Rain had a wife in his past life. Mel and another girl—Crimson—are jealous, and both can hear his real-life thoughts. A doctor can hear them as well. Rain is unaware of this, and Mel fears what will happen if he discovers the truth.
Regardless, I’m still thoroughly enjoying this series. The story continues directly from book to book, with chapter numbering flowing seamlessly across volumes.
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