The Father's Priceless Watch
Kim Jihun stared at the check in his hand and murmured to himself.
"Hmm... 10 million won."
Ten million won. An enormous sum with seven whole zeros—the largest amount of money he'd ever held in his life was right there in his grasp.
He pondered what to do with it as he gazed at the check.
'Where should I spend this money?'
He wasn't in desperate need of cash right now. As an internet gaming BJ, he earned a decent living. Sure, it wasn't the eye-popping fortune of a top-tier streamer, but thanks to his looks and skills, he made more than most part-time jobs.
To be precise, about 2.5 million won was sitting idle in his bank account. For just a month of streaming, that was pretty impressive income.
So even with 10 million won suddenly in hand, Jihun didn't rush to spend it. Holding it made a certain face faintly rise in his mind.
'Mom, Dad.'
His parents. For the first time in ages, Jihun wanted to use this windfall on them.
His family wasn't well-off. Poor would be putting it mildly.
His father was a day laborer, hopping from one construction site to another with unpredictable pay. His mother had been suffering from a herniated disc lately. Both had sacrificed so much to raise him.
With this unexpected fortune, Jihun wanted to look after them for once.
"What would make them happy?"
Gazing at the check, he glanced at the calendar in the corner of his vision. A red circle marked one day.
[Wedding Anniversary!]
"Oh right, your anniversary's coming up soon."
Realizing it was his parents' wedding anniversary, Jihun slapped his knee with a smack! A solid idea had hit him.
He immediately started preparing his plan.
"Where's that travel site..."
He planned to send them on an overseas trip. They'd never had a proper vacation while raising him and keeping the family afloat. It had always bugged him.
And with their anniversary approaching, Jihun intended to give them some intimate couple time.
A couple's trip abroad. Europe would cost a bundle, but he had plenty now—10 million won! Enough for a week-long getaway.
Time was tight, but he found a well-reviewed European package tour. It hit all the tourist spots and great eateries—looked perfect to him.
Without hesitation, he booked it.
"Alright, anniversary trip: check."
Next, gifts for them. He was about to head to a nearby department store's accessory shop with his current cash.
Then an idea flashed through his mind.
'Why not make them myself?'
Of course. Didn't he possess the power of creation, capable of crafting jewels more beautiful and intricate than any store-bought ones?
Wouldn't handmade gifts from him mean even more than something bought?
"Yeah. Let's do it."
Jihun plopped down right there and began focusing his mind.
He pictured his father and mother. The accessories they'd wear.
[All things exist.]
His divine incantation whispered softly.
The room blazed with light.
-Flash!
Intense Creation Force blended with radiant divine power, forming a fantastical glow.
Eyes closed, Jihun shaped it. Divine power and Creation Force harmonized in his hands, birthing something new.
'Mom, Dad.'
He envisioned his parents clearly. His steadfast father, who toiled endlessly for the family without complaint. His mother, enduring back pain without a word.
Gifts for them began forming in his hands.
'A wristwatch for Dad.'
His father owned no real accessories. Something practical yet stylish—a watch seemed perfect.
Jihun designed one suited to him.
'Sturdy and classic. Refined, not bulky—dignified.'
In his mind, a design emerged no earthly designer could match: gleaming luxury polish, robust build, elegant curves and lines blending into perfect form.
A creation possible only for Jihun, bearer of the supreme Creation Talent.
Satisfied, he smiled.
'Perfect for Dad.'
It matched his father's kind yet solemn nature.
Content with the exterior, Jihun moved on. Now for the movement—the watch's heart—and the materials.
He cranked his computational power into overdrive.
'Dad does tough work, so light and durable.'
As a day laborer, his father endured harsh sites to provide. The watch needed site-worthy toughness and feather-light comfort.
'Skip frills like date windows or moon phases.'
Crowding functions into a small movement added weight and fragility. Jihun's power could perfect them anyway, but he knew his dad wouldn't use them.
Unnecessary features: out.
'Stock materials won't cut it. Something tougher, lighter, wear-proof.'
He invented a new alloy in his mind: ultra-light, unbreakable, abrasion-resistant.
Ideal for intricate mechanisms like a watch movement.
With it, he forged the heart.
"Nice!"
Jihun grinned at the finished wristwatch. Its fluid sheen, mystical design, elegant poise drew the eye magnetically.
The seconds hand beneath the bezel glided like flowing water—proof the movement worked flawlessly.
He checked the caseback: see-through, revealing the internals.
"Whoa, even I have to say it's stunning. A masterpiece."
The movement was art—no, beyond art. Beauty and strength intertwined seamlessly. Myriad gears meshed with exquisite precision, ticking away.
Examining it fully, Jihun smiled proudly.
"Perfect."
He beamed at his creation—the watch for his father. It had taken real effort.
As he reached to package his prized work—
-Flash!
A brilliant golden glow erupted from the watch.
Jihun startled.
'What the—?'
He'd seen golden light from the Creator God Manual before, but never from his own creation.
Then text appeared in his vision.
[Wristwatch Crafted by Low-level God Kim Jihun]
[A wristwatch made by Low-level God Kim Jihun as a gift for his father.]
[Effect: Generates a temporary protective barrier around the wearer.]
[Usage: Auto-activates in crises. Limited to once per month.]
"Huh?"
Jihun blinked dumbly.
...
He gaped at the golden text over his watch. No wonder—he'd never seen such a description on his creations before.
His gaze drifted to the ring on his left hand.
[Ring Granted Personal Subspace by Asrie]
[Spare Space: 10^10 km³]
[Usage: Infuse with Creation Force]
Golden text, just like his watch.
Steadying his confusion, Jihun compared them.
'Both show golden text descriptions.'
One was Asrie's ring; the other, his own watch. Different makers, purposes, looks—but similarities: golden text and special powers.
Puzzled, he stared blankly at his watch when—
"Crafting an artifact already, huh."
"Gah! You scared me!"
Jihun whirled around at the sudden voice.
Asrie stood there poised as ever.
Calming his pounding heart, he pointed at the watch with a quizzical look.
"This is an artifact?"
The one-of-a-kind beauty he'd poured his soul into for his father.
"Yeah. An artifact. Exactly what you're thinking."
Her confirmation left his jaw on the floor.
So he'd created a true artifact—straight out of novels—with his own power?!
"Still, it's amazing. A low-level god shouldn't manage an artifact, even with Creation Talent..."
Asrie leaned in close, inspecting the watch.
Mystical curves and lines, fluid polish, gliding seconds hand, exotic material.
But she wasn't admiring the looks. Her divine sight pierced its essence.
"..."
Silence fell as her gaze dissected it atom by atom. No existence could hide from that absolute scrutiny.
Finished, she sighed softly and turned to Jihun.
"Human emotions are truly something else."
Asrie began explaining to him.