Artifacts of Emotion
Emotions? You think that's impressive?
Kim Jihun gave Asrie a puzzled look at her sudden remark. Why bring up emotions out of nowhere after seeing the artifact? What did feelings have to do with artifacts anyway?
But contrary to Jihun's thoughts, creating the artifact hadn't been a simple matter at all.
"Even gods with the rank of general god have to expend a tremendous amount of power to make artifacts. Yet you whipped this up with a plain old 'creation'."
She pointed at the watch in Jihun's hand.
Asrie continued.
"But you made an artifact using the same amount of divine power and Creation Force as always. Sure, you put a bit more effort into it than usual..."
Her voice grew more serious as she spoke.
"This is downright unnatural."
Artifacts were, by nature, divine tools crafted solely by gods and bestowed upon their creations below. While each one varied, it typically required at least the rank of general god—who had completed all schooling—to produce one. The computational power and authority needed to imbue an object with permanent might were immense.
Yet Kim Jihun, a mere low-level god and a half-baked one born from an intelligent being, had succeeded in creating an artifact.
"I examined the watch you made with my divine eyes. And I figured it out."
She gazed at the watch in Jihun's hand with a hint of wonder.
"The way you made your artifact is different from how the god race usually does it. Let's just say... instead of divine power, something else went into it."
"Something else?"
"Emotions."
Asrie told Kim Jihun plainly.
Jihun stared blankly, unable to process her words. Asrie kept explaining to the dazed young man.
"Normally, artifacts are objects infused with a portion of a god's power. They require substantial computational ability and divine power to grant that strength. But you... you used emotions instead of divine power to create yours."
From her explanation, Jihun realized he'd made the artifact in a slightly different way from other gods—by infusing it with his own emotions rather than divine power.
As he created the watch to gift his father, Jihun had thought of him: his sturdy back, kind smile, and resolute expression. The watch was born from all his heart poured into memories of his father, who devoted himself to the family.
Thus, his feelings of filial piety had woven into the creation process, resulting in this artifact.
Understanding her explanation, Jihun asked again.
"So, as long as I have emotions, I can make these artifacts whenever I want?!"
"That's right."
"Whoa!"
Jihun was awestruck. He could craft as many artifacts as he had emotions! He felt like he could fly with joy.
Kim Jihun had always been more emotionally rich than his peers. He knew sorrow and savored joy. The idea of using emotions to create artifacts felt deeply appealing and profoundly human to him.
But as she watched Jihun's delight, Asrie pondered.
If he makes artifacts with positive emotions, that's fine... but...
She knew how brilliantly humans could shine—and how deeply and darkly they could fall.
Asrie felt a twinge of concern about Jihun's ability.
If Kim Jihun gets consumed by negative emotions, won't he mass-produce artifacts tainted with malice?
She understood how easily humans were swayed by feelings. And how often such beings, gripped by unchecked power and desire, spiraled into ruin.
Yet she believed.
But Kim Jihun will handle it wisely.
She had always watched over him—seen his pure emotions and unyielding convictions.
Asrie prayed he wouldn't be swept away by his own power.
...
After Asrie returned to her divine realm, Kim Jihun clenched his fist and steeled himself.
"Alright! Let's make Mom's gift too!"
Yes. Asrie's interruption had paused him midway, but his creation wasn't finished.
Gifts for his parents on their upcoming wedding anniversary. Jihun had planned not just for his father, but for his mother as well.
Kim Jihun set to work on her gift.
"All things exist."
And the room filled with holy creation light.
He closed his eyes and thought.
Kim Jihun pictured his mother. Always devoted to the family. Even with her frail health, she took on odd jobs to help make ends meet. Never complaining, even when herniated discs plagued her—a selfless mother.
Infusing his pity and gratitude for her, Jihun began crafting her jewelry gift.
A necklace would be perfect for Mom's gift.
He'd settled on a necklace. He'd considered a ring at first, but knew she already wore her wedding band daily. Earrings? She'd probably find them a hassle and skip them.
After much thought, necklace it was.
Warm, delicate, beautiful.
Jihun envisioned a design that amplified his mother's charm. An accessory to naturally adorn her ever-devoted, warm presence. Not flashy, but cozy and comforting.
Beautiful, natural curves emerged from his fingertips—elegant at first glance, yet subtly exuding warmth and comfort. The engraved patterns evoked a soft family embrace, while the metal's luster felt refined and noble.
Where his father's watch felt sturdy and resolute, this necklace for his mother was warm and gentle.
Both exquisite, yet each with unique allure.
Like a couple harmonizing strengths and weaknesses, the two pieces amplified each other when together.
Perfect.
Finishing the metal, Jihun moved on.
Now, a gem. Something special.
With the metal done, he pondered the gemstone. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies... Many flashed in his mind, but none fit the necklace perfectly. They lacked the warmth and coziness he sought.
So Jihun resolved to create a new gem.
One that radiates warmth and softness.
He poured his Creation Force anew into designing the gem. Divine power flowed through his hands once more.
And at his fingertips, a gem appeared.
A transparent crystal. But no earthly stone—this was a new material born from Jihun's Creation Force.
Elegant and beautiful at a glance. Under light, it emitted a faint, warm glow. Like a cozy home. Like a mother's embrace.
More than a gem, it seemed a vessel for maternal love, softly shimmering.
Jihun set it into the necklace.
"All done."
As he completed the necklace for his mother—
◈ A necklace made by low-level god Kim Jihun as a gift for his mother.
◈ Effect: Protects the wearer.
◈ Usage: Auto-activates in crises, limited to once per month.
The familiar golden text appeared without fail.
Jihun smiled faintly at it.
"Great. Finally done..."
As he murmured, his vision blurred. He collapsed to the floor in exhaustion.
Pouring so many emotions into artifacts for his parents had drained his mental strength, causing him to faint.
"...Haha."
Though spent and sprawled on the ground, a faint smile lingered on his lips.
...
Waking after a deep sleep, Kim Jihun gazed at his creations and grinned.
"They're beautiful."
Yes. The two accessories—a wristwatch and necklace—were paragons of beauty.
A delicate yet sturdy watch. A cozy, warm necklace.
He packaged them carefully.
"Gifts for the wedding anniversary."
As he wrapped them, Jihun enclosed a letter for his parents. He caressed the packages tenderly.
Beaming with anticipation, he said,
"I hope they love them."
As a son, he'd never given them proper gifts. But this anniversary would be different. A lavish Europe couple's travel package bought with his earnings, plus these heartfelt artifact gifts.
Jihun eyed the calendar eagerly. It marked [Wedding Anniversary].
And the next day: [School Enrollment].
School right after the anniversary.
He nodded to himself, muttering,
"Good thing I can give the gifts before school starts. Classes might make it hard to find time later."
School demanded about 12 hours daily. Training would leave little Creation Force for personal projects. Time for family gifts might run short.
"Lucky I could do something before heading off."
Thus, the anniversary was the perfect chance.
His parents might not fuss over dates anymore, but surely they'd be touched by their son's gesture.
Grinning, Jihun began planning the event.
...
"Mom, tell Dad to take tomorrow off."
"Why, Jihun?"
The day before the long-awaited wedding anniversary. Jihun asked his mother to give his father a day off.
She looked puzzled.
He rattled off his prepared excuse.
"Tomorrow's your anniversary, right? I made some unexpected money from streaming and want to treat you both to a nice meal."
"Oh?"
She knew about his internet broadcasting earnings, so she didn't suspect a thing.
Jihun resolved inwardly.
I'll make it unforgettable.
Before school, he'd pour his heart into a special event for them.