Chapter 1: Isekai

Alex groaned as he stirred awake, his body aching in places he didn't recognize. The dimly lit room smelled faintly of antiseptic and sweat. His head throbbed, and flashes of memories—some his, some... foreign—flickered in his mind like a broken film reel.

As his eyes adjusted, he took in his surroundings. Posters of singers lined the walls, shelves were crammed with books, and fishing rods leaned in the corner. The room felt both familiar and strange, like a scene out of an anime he'd watched before.

"Where... am I?" he muttered, pushing himself upright. His hands—larger, rougher, more calloused than he remembered—rested on his knees.

Before he could process his confusion, a translucent panel blinked into existence in front of him.

System Initialization

Name: Alex

Gender: Male

Height: 5'8"

Weight: 52kg

Age: 17

Template: Gaolang Wongsawat

Unlock Percentage: 0%

Offense Style: Hitman Style (Locked)

Defense Style: Philly Shell (Locked)

Crazy Mode?

Alex blinked. His fingers brushed the floating text, but it dissolved like mist.

"A system...?" he murmured. The idea was absurd, like something out of a web novel. Desperate to wake up, he pinched his arm hard. A sharp sting shot through his skin.

Not a dream.

Memories rushed back—the mundane life of a cashier, unfulfilled dreams, late-night anime binges. He loved combat sports, especially boxing, but reality had never given him the chance to pursue it. And then... the accident. The blinding headlights. The crash.

"I died," he whispered, his breath shaky.

More text flashed before him.

Welcome, Alex McLovin.

You have been granted a second chance. Utilize the Gaolang Template to carve your path in this world. Unlock your full potential and achieve greatness.

Note: The "Gift of the Universe" grants you access to Gaolang Wongsawat's full skillset and experience, but nothing comes free. Training is required to unlock his abilities. Hard work and experience will gradually increase your unlock percentage.

His mind raced. Was this real? Could he actually become a boxer? If this was reality, then he wasn't going to waste it. He had spent too much of his first life dreaming and regretting.

No more.

Alex clenched his fists. He had a chance now. A world full of opportunities. And he was going to take it.

Piecing together his memories, he realized he wasn't just Alex McLovin anymore. His new name was Alexander Makunouchi. His parents had died in an accident when he was a child, and Hiroko Makunouchi—Ippo's mother—had taken him in.

It all made sense. His new body, though lean, was pure muscle—built from years of physical labor. Just the right foundation for a boxer.

And then, the moment of realization came. The reason why he remembers his previous life memories

One evening, Ippo returned home, his face battered but glowing with excitement.

"I started boxing today," he announced, grinning. "At Kamogawa Gym."

A switch flipped in Alex's brain. The gym. The coach. Ippo's journey. Hajime no Ippo. He was in it.

The next day, curiosity and fate pushed him to follow Ippo to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym.

The moment he stepped inside, everything clicked.

Sweat filled the air, mingling with the rhythmic sounds of fists pounding leather. The no-frills gym was alive with movement—young boxers hammering away at heavy bags, others shadowboxing under the watchful eyes of the coaches.

Then, a voice barked across the room.

"Keep your guard up! Do you call that a jab? Put your weight into it!"

Alex turned towards the source.

Genji Kamogawa.

The legendary coach stood in the center of the gym, his sharp eyes scanning the trainees. Beside him was Haruhiko Yagi, the assistant coach—calm, composed, the steadying influence behind the gym's chaos.

Alex took a deep breath. No turning back now.

He stepped forward.

The clang of a bell rang in his ears as he entered. Conversations hushed, and heads turned towards him. Eyes analyzed him, curious and slightly wary.

Then, Kamogawa's gaze locked onto him.

"What do you want?" The old man's voice was rough, scrutinizing him.

Alex bowed deeply. "I want to try boxing. My name is Alexander Makunouchi."

Beside him, Ippo awkwardly raised his hand. "He's my cousin, Coach."

Kamogawa narrowed his eyes, taking in Alex's frame. "Hmph. Another dreamer." He gestured to the heavy bag. "Alright. Show me what you've got. Hit the bag."

Alex stepped up. He had seen it done a thousand times in fights, in training montages, in anime. How hard could it be?

He pulled his fist back and launched a punch.

Pain exploded through his knuckles.

"Ow! Damn it!" He hissed, shaking his hand.

Laughter erupted around the gym. Takamura was doubled over, nearly in tears. Even Ippo chuckled.

Alex straightened, trying to ignore the embarrassment. He forced a smirk. "Slipped. Let me try again."

Kamogawa sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, kid. First lesson—stance and form. If you punch like that again, you'll break your damn hand."

Alex swallowed his pride and listened.

"Put your hands up." Kamogawa gestured, and Alex complied.

"Where's your dominant hand?"

Alex hesitated, then raised his right hand.

"Orthodox, huh? Step forward with your left foot."

Alex followed the instructions, shifting his stance. It felt awkward.

"Now punch."

He threw another right straight. The bag barely moved.

Kamogawa sighed. "You know why? No hip rotation." He stepped behind Alex and lightly tapped his hip.

"Try again. This time, twist your hips when you throw the punch."

Alex nodded. He steadied himself, focused, and threw another right straight—this time, twisting his hips as he did.

THUD.

The bag swayed slightly.

"Better," Kamogawa grunted. "But still weak. We'll fix that."

Alex exhaled. It wasn't much, but it was a start.