Ash just sat there, staring at the ceiling. It was all a new experience. His heart was still in turmoil, struggling to accept everything that had happened to him.
But worrying about it wouldn't change his situation.
I just have to try to enjoy this new life…
That's how it should be.
Still, a lingering fear remained. This world was unknown to him. What just happened was enough to show how lawless it could be.
I have to make my decisions carefully. One mistake… and it could cost my life.
But that didn't mean he could just stay locked inside a house.
He needed to understand this world—its system, its power, how things worked. And he needed money. A lot of it.
The road ahead wouldn't be easy.
But still—
I'll live this life to the fullest.
Suddenly, Ash was jolted out of his thoughts.
"Hey, brat, what are you doing there? Apply first aid to your wounds before they get infected."
Ash turned and looked at his coach, Kang. There was an unexpected warmth in his chest—something he couldn't quite understand.
He smiled.
"Fuck you, old man. Could you not shout? I can hear you clearly."
Ash stood up from the chair. He winced—the pain in his body was still very clear.
"Fuck… these wounds are going to take some time to heal."
He pulled off his shirt and tried to clean his back, where shards of glass were still embedded. He managed to remove a few, but he couldn't reach all of them.
Kang, seeing this, walked over.
"This brat can't even do a proper thing," he muttered. "Doesn't attend training regularly, and now gets beaten like a dog. Fucking pathetic."
Without warning, the old man grabbed hold and started pulling out the remaining glass shards.
Ash flinched, his body tightening as pain shot through him.
"Shit—old man, it hurts! Can't you do it slowly?"
Kang snorted. "What the hell are you whining for like a baby? Endure it."
The two of them cleaned the wounds and applied bandages, spreading pain-relieving cream across his battered body.
Kang stepped back and looked him over. "You'll need a week or two to fully heal."
He crossed his arms, clicking his tongue. "You brat… you do know you've got a boxing competition next month, right? Your debut. And now you're injured. You really know how to bring trouble, don't you?"
Ash froze.
"A boxing competition…?" he muttered.
His mind went blank for a second.
Who decided that?
Wait—what the fuck am I supposed to do?
A boxing match?
I don't even have all my memories back… and now there's a match waiting for me?
Ash's thoughts spiraled, panic creeping in.
What the fuck should I even say to this old man…?
Fuck… shit. I should just go with the flow for now.
"What could I do? It's not like I wanted to get injured," Ash replied to Kang.
Kang smacked him on the head.
"Now you say you didn't want to get beaten? Then why the hell did you go there?"
Ash shot back, raising his voice, "Didn't I already say? I went there unintentionally!"
"Fine. There's nothing we can do about spilled milk."
Kang let out a breath and looked at him.
"You brat—just focus on your recovery."
"Sleep here for tonight. Don't go outside—I think they'll still be searching for you."
Fuck… I've got too many things to worry about now. Fuck… I hope they forget who I am.
Kang handed him a pillow and a blanket.
He yawned. "I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."
Ash looked at him for a moment. "Goodnight."
He moved to the sofa and lay down, his body sinking into it with a tired groan.
Then suddenly—
A thought struck him.
What the fuck… how did I forget about that damn power?
His eyes widened slightly.
That's my trump card.
But… how do I even activate it?
His mind started racing again.
It's like a wildcard…
If I think about it properly… it shows me the future when I'm in danger.
Should I test it? Put myself in danger on purpose?
He frowned immediately.
No… I don't have that kind of courage.
Fuck… how can I knowingly hurt myself?
He exhaled slowly, trying to think clearly.
No… maybe it's not just any danger.
Maybe it only reacts to something lethal… something that can actually kill me.
His thoughts paused.
Then…
Cold realization crept in.
His spine chilled.
If that's true—
Then…
Back there…
Was I actually going to die?
Ash's breath hitched.
"Fuck…" he whispered.
"Did I just… escape death?"
"Fuck… I doubt I can sleep anymore."
Ash screamed internally.
I just escaped death… fucking hell… death.
His mind reeled.
I already died once… got reincarnated… and then almost died again within a day?
"How scary is that…?" he muttered under his breath.
"Fuck… my luck is seriously terrible."
He stared at the ceiling, eyes wide open.
Should I be happy about all this… or cry?
A bitter laugh escaped him.
Ash hoped he wouldn't run into the gang again. The chances should be low… probably.
But he didn't even know their name. Asking Kang would be stupid. How could he not know something like that if he lived nearby?
I'll figure that out later.
Somehow, Ash passed the night.
Morning came.
Kang woke him up.
"Hey, brat. It's already morning—wake up."
Ash struggled to open his eyes. His body felt heavy, exhaustion clinging to him. All he wanted was to sleep more. But the old man wasn't going to let that happen.
Ash somehow brushed his teeth and stepped outside with Kang for a morning walk.
"Walking in the morning is good for the body," Kang said.
They kept jogging.
Ash's thoughts shifted.
No… focus on what actually matters.
What about the fucking boxing competition?
It's not like I'm prepared for it. I don't even know the proper rules—fuck. I know how to fight, sure… but that's a completely different thing.
His jaw tightened.
What did my past self even do? Is there something important I don't know?
"Fuck…" he muttered under his breath.
Maybe… someone close to him.
If there was someone like that, he could get information from them—without raising suspicion.
Suddenly, someone called out Ash's name from the side.
But Ash was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't even look up.
The guy ran closer and leaned in. "Hey there—"
Ash jolted out of his thoughts.
A tingling sensation ran through his body.
He turned his head abruptly—
Face to face with a guy around his age, staring at him with a wide grin.
Ash blinked once.
Only one thought crossed his mind.
Who the fuck is this guy?