Anniversary Gifts
Marriage anniversary day.
Kim Jihun spent some quality time with his family.
“Dad, Mom. Here's a commemorative gift.”
He took his parents to a restaurant for a meal and handed them presents he'd made himself: a watch and a necklace.
Their eyes widened as they took them.
“Jihun, what is this?!”
At a glance, the items were extraordinary. The exquisite design, elegant sheen, and subtle air of refinement were unlike anything they'd ever seen—true luxury accessories.
Kim Jihun shrugged it off casually. “Actually, these are a watch and necklace I designed. There's a service that makes them exactly to your specs if you provide the money and design draft, so I ordered them myself. What do you think?”
Of course, it was a lie. No such service existed, and even if it did, replicating Jihun's intricate designs would be impossible. How much were these gifts worth? Anyone with an eye for quality would shell out billions for the stunning design and superior craftsmanship alone—far surpassing any existing luxury item.
Unfortunately, Jihun's parents lacked that discerning eye. Ordinary working-class folks, they simply saw the gifts as fancy trinkets. They thanked him warmly.
“Thanks, Jihun. I love it. I'll wear it every day from now on.”
“My necklace is so pretty too. Look!”
They beamed at him proudly, and Jihun's expression melted into a soft smile.
They like it. Thank goodness.
Gazing at his parents holding his gifts, Jihun grinned happily. Seeing their joy filled him with immense pride.
Staring at them, he thought to himself,
Now you'll be safe.
Jihun had always lived in quiet fear of some accident befalling his parents. His father, in particular, was a day laborer hopping between construction sites, exposed to constant danger. Jihun had worried endlessly about him getting hurt one day.
But now, that worry eased. Because the gifts weren't mere accessories.
They're artifacts.
Artifacts. Objects infused with mystical power, straight out of fantasy novels. And Jihun had created them, pouring his emotions into every piece.
Once per month, provides a protective barrier in emergencies.
Both artifacts shared the same function: a single protective shield per month, activating in moments of crisis. Now, even if disaster struck, his parents would survive at least once.
Live long lives, Mom and Dad.
As their son, Jihun smiled with deep satisfaction.
The family finished their meal and stepped outside. Jihun pulled out pre-arranged couple's package tickets for a European trip.
“Mom, Dad, you've never had a proper vacation raising me. So I booked this Europe trip for you. Here's the couple's package. Take a week off and relax.”
“Jihun...”
His parents stared at the tickets, eyes brimming with emotion. They'd never dreamed of such a thoughtful anniversary surprise. Overwhelmed, they hugged him tight.
“Thank you, son. What a filial boy I've got.”
“Of course—who's his mom?”
Delighted by his devotion, their moods soared.
...
“Alright. Time to head to school.”
With the anniversary event a success, Kim Jihun began preparing in earnest for school. He glanced at the calendar.
“Starts tomorrow, huh.”
From tomorrow, he'd attend Allei Low-level School for low-level gods. He wouldn't be staying there, though. Gods folded space and crossed dimensions effortlessly—distance meant nothing. All schools operated on a commute basis, so he'd just go back and forth between home and the divine realm, without living there.
Jihun didn't have much to pack.
“The Creator God Manual, low-level god manual, computation aid...”
He double-checked his essentials before heading in. Not much was needed: the manuals and computation aid were key, plus basic stationery, a notebook, and minor items.
I don't really need the notebook, though.
True. As a low-level god, Jihun's mind never forgot anything—no need to jot down lectures. But he wasn't used to studying without notes. Writing helped organize thoughts beyond mere recall. So he packed them anyway.
With everything ready, he muttered,
“Perfect! All set!”
Simple. Extremely simple. Two manuals, computation aid, stationery, and a few odds and ends. He stowed them in his subspace and waited for his patron, the high-ranking Creator God Asrie.
“Hm. Looks like you're all prepared.”
How long had he waited? A voice came from beside him. Turning, he saw Asrie there.
“Yes. All packed. Less to bring than I thought.”
“Most things are issued on arrival. Not startled by my sudden appearance anymore?”
“After this many times, you get used to it.”
“...”
Asrie extended her arm wordlessly at his deadpan reply, channeling her divine power. It warped space, distorting and tearing the air until a portal formed where her hand touched.
Jihun eyed it. “What's this?”
“Dimensional gate.”
A dimensional gate. Jihun hadn't seen one in ages—not since his first trip to the void months ago. Now, heading to school, here it was again.
He examined it closely. Without divine rank before, he wouldn't have grasped it, but now he understood its essence somewhat. Vast divine power ripped, stretched, and compressed space itself, linking to another realm.
I get the structure. But without that much power, I couldn't open one myself.
He comprehended the mechanism but, as a mere low-level god, couldn't replicate it yet.
As he studied it, Asrie prompted, “Why stare so hard? Get in already.”
“...Fine, heading to school. But how do I get back to Earth? I can't open gates.”
“Hmm. Good point...”
Asrie nodded and swung her arm again. Pure divine and creation power rippled from her fingertips in a brilliant glow, filling Jihun's small room with golden light. When it faded, a delicate bracelet gleamed in her hand.
“Here, take this.”
“A bracelet?”
Jihun accepted it and slipped it on. Intricately sculpted like his ring, with a soft, radiant polish.
“Feels similar to the ring's energy.”
“I made it, so it carries some of my aura.”
Jihun admired the bracelet. Beautiful like his first ring, subtly emanating creation force. Inspecting it closely—
Fixed Coordinate Dimensional Gate Bracelet
Coordinates: Kim Jihun's House - Allei Low-level School Divine Realm
Usage: Infuse Creation Force
“Oh.”
The bracelet flashed gold, displaying the text. Jihun read it slowly, then looked to Asrie expectantly.
She explained. “I've imbued it with a dimensional gate linking your room and the school. Infuse creation force like always to activate. No commute issues.”
“I can open and close it freely?”
“Yes. But only between your house and school.”
Jihun glanced at his wrist. With this, he could travel freely.
Phew. At least commuting's sorted.
Asrie continued. “Your school is Allei Low-level School. Prestigious—needs a high-ranking god's recommendation to enter.”
“Multiple schools?”
“Of course. Like elementary schools on Earth, there are tons.”
It made sense. Gods ruled the universe, battling its end. Their numbers were vast to protect it all, so schools abounded. Not all got equal support—some elite, some not. Allei, thanks to Asrie's endorsement, was top-tier among low-level schools: ample divine power support, fierce competition.
Tensing, Jihun said, “So I'm going to a prestigious school?”
“Yeah. Low-level, but it'll be useful for you.”
Asrie downplayed it, deflating his nerves. Like a PhD dismissing kindergarten to a grad student—natural for her. But for Jihun, stepping into the unknown, tension was inevitable.
The divine realm.
Where gods lived. A mere mortal-turned-human entering to compete with them. How could he not be nervous?
“Staff there will explain everything kindly. Listen well, grow fast, reach general god status soon. I've got tons of tasks for you.”
“...Wait, tasks? What do you—”
“Off you go.”
He reacted to “tons of tasks,” but Asrie shoved him through the gate before he could press.
Unable to say more, Jihun passed through.
Woooong...
Space, time, dimensions twisted in bizarre vistas. Then, arrival.
Thick divine power stung his nose; brilliant glows lit the surroundings. Stunning men and women with white wings strode about. A colossal structure loomed ahead.
Overwhelmed by the new world, Jihun muttered tensely,
“So this is the divine realm...”
It was radiant, brimming with power.