The Creator's Resolve

Kim Jihun picked up his chopsticks and began savoring the array of traditional Korean course dishes laid out on the table. He'd been inwardly disappointed at first—Korean food, really?—but the flavors shattered that disappointment like glass. Each ingredient's natural taste was elevated to its peak in a mystical harmony. Jihun was awestruck.

It's insanely delicious!

Waves of harmonious flavors crashed through his mouth. Jeon, galbi, grilled meats—he paired them all with the accompanying wine. The pursuit of perfect harmony while preserving each ingredient's essence felt like art transcending mere food. Jihun quietly revised his preconceptions about Korean cuisine.

Korean food is plenty delicious.

He savored each bite, thinking that as the meal progressed to tea and desserts, which he enjoyed thoroughly. Settling back in his seat, Jihun mulled over Chae Seong-ah's words.

...

"I'm not planning to just sit back and take it."

Those were Chae Seong-ah's words to him. Jihun looked at her. Gone was the pure, sparkling innocence in her eyes, replaced by raw anger born of feeling threatened.

Scary.

Her emotions had shifted like a cold blade, leaving Jihun unsure how to respond. But she reined them in, considerate of him, and continued.

"After college, I'll return to CH Corporation. Now that my life's been threatened, I need to take some action of my own."

She wasn't just some naive girl. Though nearly estranged from her family, she still carried the bare minimum awareness of being the heiress to a massive conglomerate. And a thirst for revenge against those who threatened her. She knew she couldn't keep running from responsibility like a child forever. After graduation, she'd return to her parents' fold and prepare to inherit the company.

And she knew about Jihun's abilities.

"I'd like to work with you someday, Kim Jihun. At CH Corporation."

She was proposing a future partnership.

"With your talents, we could make a fortune and gain fame using them at the company. Your abilities are that incredible."

Chae Seong-ah remembered the creations she'd seen in his subspace. A grand, fairy-tale castle of immense beauty. Delicate ornaments gleaming with radiant luster. What Jihun made with his Creation Talent transcended human skill—godlike artworks of perfection. Circulating them in the real world would rake in easy money.

And that was just the start. Clothing, jewelry, architecture... If he fully leveraged his power, he could dominate industries, amass wealth, and seize influence. With the right mindset, becoming a titan not just in Korea, but the entire world, wouldn't be hard at all.

Chae Seong-ah began persuading him, emphasizing the financial gains.

"Your abilities are limitless. You can create anything, do anything. Partner with me, and we can turn that into profit faster and bigger. Massive revenue, immense influence. Especially with me and CH Corporation as your allies."

Jihun listened silently. It wasn't a bad deal. Backed by a conglomerate, he'd advance quicker and more surely than going solo on raw talent.

But he spoke slowly, his expression grave.

"Sorry, but I don't think I can do that."

"...Why not?"

Chae Seong-ah looked puzzled. This was a golden opportunity for him. He'd create with his powers; she'd distribute via CH. From her vantage as the owner's daughter, nothing on Earth could match the quality of his creations. They'd fetch exorbitant prices. Just accept and craft—easy money. Why refuse?

Jihun addressed her doubts.

"It's not like I haven't thought about it. Honestly, I think about it almost every day."

He was human too. The desire to monetize his powers wasn't absent. But firm convictions anchored him.

I won't chase money with this power.

He still remembered Asrie's creations. Planets forged in cosmic voids, spaces and times woven into being, worlds born in solemn sanctity. To Jihun, who'd witnessed that, money held little value. Sure, it made life easier. But he was diligent by nature.

I won't let greed blind me to growing my power.

Monetizing would dull his drive to improve. His goals weren't riches or comfort. To become a Creator God—a high-ranking one like Asrie. That was his aim. So he sought no more wealth than he needed.

Thus, his answer.

"I don't use this power to make money. Who knows about later, but not now."

Earthly success meant nothing to him. College ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠entrance prep was just lingering ambition from his study days; streaming was hobby plus pocket change. Flaunting power on this tiny planet stirred no thrill. He knew Asrie, the great Creator God who made all.

Sure, he might change later and exploit his abilities fully—but not yet. Not until he'd grown them substantially.

So he refused.

"..."

Chae Seong-ah fell silent at his resolute demeanor. She met his eyes. Clear, unyielding, unwavering. She realized.

These are the eyes of someone with conviction.

Facing that steadfast gaze, she knew persuasion was futile. He wouldn't bend.

...

"Thanks for the meal."

"Yeah. Shame we can't work together, but I'll text you now and then?"

Back at his house, Jihun and Chae Seong-ah exchanged goodbyes. He stepped out of the limousine, and she handed him something.

"Here."

"...What's this?"

Jihun took the thin white envelope. Not bulky—like it might hold a letter.

As he puzzled over it, she said,

"A small token for saving my life. My dad asked me to pass it on. See you."

She drove off. Jihun watched the car go, then opened the envelope. Inside was a check.

"Whoa! How much?!"

The amount stunned him. Seven zeros. Ten million won.

He stared blankly at it, muttering,

"Incredible. Save her from getting hit by a car, and I get ten million."

He was dumbfounded.

...

Kim Jihun's divine words echoed softly from his mouth. A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠brilliant glow emanated from his fingertips, beginning to form something. He was trying to recreate the meal he'd just eaten.

If I can do biological creation, a bit of meat should be easy.

That casual assumption brought swift backlash in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠form of pain.

"Urghhh!!"

Jihun groaned, clutching his head against the creation backlash. He'd attempted biological creation for meat and failed. The overreach punished him with agony.

"Why?!"

His computational power was ample—overflowing, even. Thanks to the Computation Aid borrowing from a high Creator God's capacity. Failure baffled him. He'd figured focusing fully would handle mere meat.

Someone answered.

"You haven't acquired that level of authority yet."

The voice from behind. Jihun whipped around, startled. There floated Asrie, serene in his room, white wings trailing gentle divine power. She continued advising.

"Biological creation differs from mere material creation. It handles life's vital essence beyond computation. Thus, your talent's rank matters."

Asrie folded her wings gracefully, descending. Jihun exhaled in relief.

"Don't pop up behind me like that! You scared me."

"Hm. Watching from the divine realm, I saw you messing around and came unthinkingly."

"Sigh."

Rubbing his throbbing head, Jihun eyed her. Stunning features, radiant wings, aura of sacred creation and divine power. He gauged their gap anew.

Asrie crafts star systems in moments; I can't even make a scrap of meat. The disparity is insane. Ugh.

A chasm. Facing her after so long, despair and regret surged.

Should've taken Chae Seong-ah's offer!

His goal was Asrie-level, but confronting her made it feel impossibly distant, sapping his will.

Asrie offered encouragement—or her version of it.

"Don't worry. Even a scrub like you will grow decently at school."

"...School?"

Her words reminded him: zero prep for school. He asked about it.

"Speaking of, what's this 'school' place? I know it's for training low-level gods, but that's it."

"Hm, yeah. Makes sense for an Earth-raised intellect like you. Let me share my memories."

Asrie placed a hand on his head, channeling divine power. His mind blazed white. Startled, Jihun felt the power morph into images.

Divine power for memory transfer? Impressive.

Like fantasy novel memory magic. He absorbed the visions.

"..."

Jihun pulled from the vision to eye Asrie. She lounged indifferently, hand still on his head.

What the hell?!