Chapter 6: It’s burdensome

The surface of the sandbag was covered with fist marks and scratches.

It seemed to carry the traces of time.

I slowly put on the bandages and gloves that the trainer threw to me.

After wrapping them tightly around my wrists, I took a deep breath.

‘Let’s start with a light jab?’

I threw a light jab with my left hand.

Thud!

A dull sound echoed through the gym.

Using the rebound, I quickly stepped back into my original position.

‘There’s really nothing better than exercise to relieve stress.’

I threw short and quick jabs consecutively, testing the impact.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sandbag swayed gently.

Combining jabs and straights, I increased the tempo.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thwack!

Keeping rhythm, I shook the sandbag before throwing a hook aimed at its side.

Creaaak!

The sandbag swayed widely, and the chains groaned in protest.

I adjusted my posture and controlled my breathing.

Kangcheol, leaning his chin on his hand, observed me closely with interest.

Jinyoung gaped, almost dislocating his jaw, and said, “Hey… you’ve trained in boxing before, haven’t you? I feel betrayed.”

“This is my first time.”

Well, it’s my first time boxing in this body. So, technically, it’s not a lie.

Kangcheol scanned me up and down before snorting.

“You said your name was Kim Dohyun? Boxing for the first time? Bullshit, no one would believe that. But your body doesn’t seem like it’s trained either. Were you born with natural talent?”

I shrugged as I started unwrapping my gloves.

“Your footwork and timing are far from amateur. The force and trajectory of your punches are perfect. Your fundamentals are solid.”

Kangcheol approached and lightly tapped my wrist.

“Kim Dohyun, you’re born for boxing.”

“…Excuse me?”

This was beyond overwhelming—it was crossing into absurdity.

‘Should I have just told the truth?’

Kangcheol then clenched his massive fist and exclaimed loudly.

“Since you’ve caught my eye, you’re the treasure of this gym. A hobby? Fine. I’ll teach you properly, even if it’s just a hobby.”

Then, as if remembering something, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Come from tomorrow. Forget about the fees.”

“What?”

“You don’t have to pay. Just show up. Don’t skip. I can’t let talent like yours go to waste.”

Kangcheol shrugged casually.

Honestly, this was too much pressure.

“Well, you’re still young, so you can start as a hobby and eventually think about becoming a pro.”

I had a sinking feeling that if I stayed, I’d be stuck in this gym under this muscle monster’s grasp.

“I’ll be heading out now since it’s getting late.”

“Make sure to come tomorrow. If you don’t, I’ll wait at the entrance.”

After briefly bidding farewell to Jinyoung, I hurriedly left the gym.

***

On the way home.

Darkness had fallen over the streets, with neon lights occasionally illuminating the ground.

I walked slowly, taking in the surroundings.

It was a landscape that felt both familiar and unfamiliar.

The posters stuck on building corners, the smell of fried food wafting from street vendors, and groups of students roaming around in clusters.

‘This world really isn’t all that different from where I lived.’

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

Life here was becoming more and more familiar.

When I arrived home and opened the door, the warm smell of food wafted from the kitchen.

“Brother, you’re back?”

Harin stood in the kitchen wearing an apron.

A dinner table was already set with food.

“You’re a bit late. You must be hungry, right?”

She smiled brightly as she placed utensils on the table.

I nodded in response.

So, this is how everyday life flows outside the game’s skipped scenes.

There’s still some time until the next main event.

As soon as I entered my room, I locked the door and dove under the blanket.

By now, it was a habit for my hands to move automatically.

‘I feel uneasy if I don’t lock it.’

Under the covers, I stared at my phone screen, ending the day like that.

***

The next morning, on the way to school.

Something felt strange as soon as I stepped into the school corridor.

“Ahhh! Over there, look!”

“Wow… he’s insanely handsome.”

“Seriously, he’s stunning.”

Whispers and giggles echoed from all directions.

I looked around instinctively.

I could feel people’s gazes following me.

‘What’s with them?’

Shrugging off the unease, I made my way to the classroom.

The moment I opened the door, Jinyoung jumped to his feet, waving energetically.

“Dohyun! Did you get home okay yesterday?”

The way he acted so friendly gave me chills.

He didn’t seem like a bad guy, but he definitely felt like a handful.

Jinyoung strutted over with a smug look, thrusting his phone in my face.

“Hey, check this out.”

On the screen was a post from the school’s ‘Bamboo Forest’ page.

At the top of the feed was a headline.

[To the prince who saved us during gym class…]

‘Why does this feel ominous?’

I scrolled down reluctantly, and it only got worse.

[Yesterday during gym class, I was sitting on the girls’ stands, and suddenly, a soccer ball flew towards us. Kim Dohyun dashed over and casually deflected it. My heart skipped a beat.]

The comments were exploding.

[So cool! Who is he?]

[Prince charming in real life!]

[Does anyone know his number? Asking for a friend.]

‘Crap. This is going to be a headache.’

• “Wouldn’t his hand hurt? If it were me, I’d have passed out. ㅠㅠ”
• “That’s Kim Dohyun, right? Seo Yuna’s desk partner?”
• “If he were in my class, my heart would’ve exploded…”
• “Wow, seriously. He’s amazing.”
• “Is this real life, or is this a novel, guys?”

Jinyoung, excited, tapped my arm repeatedly.

“Hey, you’re insanely popular! Everyone’s losing it right now.”

I swallowed a curse inwardly and pushed his phone away.

Seeing that, Jinyoung smirked and shrugged.

“Man, the life of an alpha male. I wish I could live as one for just a day.”

I ignored him and plopped into my seat.

“You’re really popular this morning, huh?”

Next to me, Seo Yuna teased with a mischievous smile.

“Who are you making fun of?”

“By the way, is your hand okay?”

I was about to say I was fine when Jinyoung suddenly darted over from behind.

“Hey, what’s this? What’s going on between you two?”

“What?”

Jinyoung’s eyes sparkled as he looked back and forth between Yuna and me.

“Are you two flirting? Things are looking suspicious this morning.”

“No, we’re not.”

Yuna frowned, glaring at Jinyoung.

Unable to handle the situation any longer, I covered my face with my hand.

Jinyoung just laughed harder at my reaction.

“Even pretending to be shy suits you. No wonder you’re so popular.”

As I contemplated whether I should punch him and risk jail time, Jinyoung immediately backed away when he saw my clenched fist.

“Okay, okay! I was kidding. Just a joke.”

He quickly retreated to his seat.

I sighed and gazed out the window, feeling like something had gone terribly wrong.

“Are you really sure your hand’s okay?”

“I said I’m fine.”

I rotated my wrist to show her.

After all, I had enthusiastically punched a sandbag yesterday without any issue.

“You hit that ball pretty hard. Were you just pretending it didn’t hurt to look cool?”

Yuna grinned playfully.

“Yeah. It hurt like hell. Now stop talking to me.”

“Still, ‘prince’ is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“Cut it out, seriously.”

Yuna crossed her arms and glanced at me before bursting into laughter.

“Well, at least now you’re super popular. The girls can’t stop talking about you.”

“I don’t need that kind of attention.”

“Really?”

She tilted her head curiously, then suddenly sat on the desk, staring at me intently.

“What?”

“I’m analyzing why you’re so popular.”

I quickly turned my head away.

Seeing my reaction, she chuckled softly and lowered her head.

***

First period, art class.

The sunlight streaming through the window softly lit the desks.

Standing at the front of the class, the art teacher tapped the chalk in her hand and spoke.

“Today’s theme is portraits. A portrait isn’t just about drawing a face. It’s about capturing expressions, mood, and even personality.”

She pointed to an example drawing and added, “Observation is everything in portraiture. You need to capture the subject’s features precisely. Focus on the eyes, lips, and facial contours to express emotion. The key is to view the subject through an artist’s lens.”

As students began murmuring, the teacher clapped her hands to quiet them.

“The assignment is to draw a portrait of your partner. Don’t just imitate their appearance—capture their atmosphere as well.”

When partners locked eyes, awkward giggles filled the room.

As I turned my head, I was met with Yuna’s eager gaze.

She had already opened her sketchbook.

“Make sure to draw my face well.”

“Confident, aren’t we?”

“Of course! If you make my face look weird, you’re dead.”

“Do we have to do this?”

“If you want to stay after for extra lessons, then don’t.”

“Fine…”

I sighed and began sketching.

Soon, a clear outline of her portrait started to take shape.

‘Maybe I’m actually talented at this?’

While I was focused, Yuna tilted her head and squinted one eye.

“If I do this, will it make me look cuter?”

“…Stay still.”

“Sorry.”

She giggled and showed me her drawing.

It was an unrecognizable figure.

“What’s this?”

“It’s you! This is how I see you.”

I looked at her, dumbfounded, but she just laughed mischievously.

At that moment, the teacher approached our desk.

“What are you two doing instead of focusing?”

Yuna quickly flipped her drawing over and put on an innocent expression.

“We’re working hard, sir!”

“Save the flirting for after class.”

Shaking his head, the teacher moved on to check other students’ drawings.

Yuna lowered her head slightly, scratching her ear with the pencil.

“The teacher’s too much…”

Despite her mumbled complaint, her ears were burning red.