Cosmic Professional Gladiator - Chapter 6

A man was transported to Ancient China and eventually became a servant of a declining household without a male heir. He utilized his wits and modern knowledge to help the household and eventually become trapped in the sea of political turmoils of the period.

- Description from Novelupdates

Shi Qing’s task was to be a protector.

“There are no heroes. In life, the monsters win.”

...

In 2106, [Mayhem Online], a fully immersive VRMMO game, was released. Soon, it dominated the world's economy when people could exchange the in-game currency with real-life currency and vice versa.

In the year 2107, Flynn Grey, a 22-year-old college dropout with an ambiguous history, joined in the fray of billions of people that had already started playing [Mayhem]. Hoping to uncover the game's secret and earn a fortune, he spent months on adventures without fruitful results.

For better or worse, Shura, Flynn's in-game character, ends up in a great Wyvern's den, acquiring a hidden class and a monstrous race. Join him as he defeats his past and paves his way into becoming a true legend in both worlds.

I became the childhood friend of the protagonist in a novel. The childhood friend who died from taking drugs.