The Art of Divine Power
Leila stared at the man. Black hair, black eyes. An appearance that evoked images of a divine betrayer, reminiscent of the Ma-shin Clan.
But her eyes didn't take in his looks at all. She only pierced his fingertips with her gaze.
Leila was stunned.
Is that how a low-level god operates divine power? And he's not even a pure divine being?!
The man moved his hands as if playing an instrument. With each swing of his arm, dozens of layers of intricate divine power circuits etched themselves into the air, refining and perfecting with every flick of his fingers.
Naturally, beautifully—like breathing—he wielded his divine power.
...Unique.
His divine power operation was peculiar. Unlike typical gods who pursued extreme efficiency through precise calculations, his felt somehow emotional.
Yet Leila found his divine power operation beautiful.
He's incorporating emotion rather than pure computation into his divine power. It's just like performing music.
Yes. Kim Jihun had become a low-level god from human origins, so he hadn't received formal divine education.
But he had countless experiences in creation and divine power operation. Guided solely by Asrie's quests, he had studied, developed, and forged his own unique style.
And it was profoundly, deeply beautiful and warm.
—Hummm....
Every time waves of divine power rippled, the low-level gods watched him, swallowing hard.
Emotionally arrayed yet meticulously woven—it felt like art itself. Like beholding a master's masterpiece or hearing a great composer's symphony.
His divine power operation carried something hot that stirred the heart. The gods called it emotion.
Beautiful.
Leila felt a shock as if encountering a new culture while watching his divine power operation.
An utterly illogical, impossibly beautiful way to wield divine power.
She, a half-god of unknown intellectual origins, was moved to the core.
...I can't lose!
Divine power surged rapidly from her fingertips once more.
...
Kim Jihun finished operating his divine power and checked his body's condition.
"Good. First time trying that divine power operation, and it worked out well."
He was training himself through divine power operation practice.
Aligning various divine powers according to computational formulas to form his own circuits, then maintaining and utilizing them.
This was a fundamental method for tempering divine power operation.
Creating and operating circuits through self-utilized divine power would greatly aid future creation processes.
Of course, Kim Jihun already had creation experience far beyond a typical low-level god, so his divine power operation had reached a considerable level.
"Hmm, but I used up too much divine power."
Being merely a low-level god, his total divine power reserves weren't vast.
He turned his body, feeling the fervent movement of divine power energy, and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Still, it's a bit tiring."
The current class was on divine power operation.
A simple lesson of drawing out and fluidly moving divine power for practice—but Kim Jihun had gone overboard alone, executing advanced operations.
Like practicing calculus while the class learned 1+1.
Well, at least I showed them my skills. They won't underestimate me anymore.
Kim Jihun was satisfied. He hadn't lost to the low-level gods before him.
So he sat back down to rest.
That's when someone approached him.
"Kim Jihun. Where did you learn that divine power operation from just now?"
It was the instructor in charge of creation-side divine power operation.
Kim Jihun replied calmly to her.
"I taught myself."
The instructor was shocked at his words.
Divine power operation required considerable computational and design ability.
Yet the level Kim Jihun, a mere low-level god, displayed far surpassed an ordinary low-level god's capabilities.
It was fluid enough to pass for a high-level god's divine power flow.
Though handling the divine power itself felt different from typical gods, it was undoubtedly advanced.
So the instructor could only exclaim in astonishment.
"Self-taught?!"
To the instructor's question, Kim Jihun just nodded nonchalantly.
Self-taught, yeah.
When Kim Jihun first obtained the Creator God Manual, no one taught him divine power operation.
So he felt justified.
Asrie guided me through quests, but she never directly taught me. It was all my own enlightenment and practice.
All divine actions were based on divine power operation.
Reading the Creator God Manual, analyzing objects, even using Creation Force to create matter... all required divine power.
And Kim Jihun had built his own know-how through self-discovery.
Did anyone teach him the divine power operation for analyzing objects or creating? No.
Every time he pushed beyond his limits, he endured massive headaches, countless trials and errors, and pain to reach this place as a low-level god.
For a non-native divine like Kim Jihun, that was his best path.
But now things were different.
Time to learn properly.
Now at school, he could follow the regular curriculum and learn right.
Kim Jihun looked forward to the growth ahead.
...
"Honey, look at this. It's so delicious."
"Yeah."
Kim Jihun's parents were thoroughly enjoying the trip he'd gifted them.
They were now dining at a restaurant in France.
The Europe couple package Jihun had given was quite substantial, covering famous tourist spots and detailed recommendations for fun activities.
And right now, they were at a restaurant renowned for its exquisite flavors.
Jihun's mother said,
"And the view here is amazing too. The nightscape is just stunning!"
"Sure is."
Their conversation was plain. Mother initiated, father responded curtly.
But their mood wasn't bad. On the overseas trip their son had arranged, they savored new sights and tastes, enjoying a cozy vacation.
Jihun's father said,
"We raised our son right. Haven't done much for him, yet he sends us on trips like this, makes these amazing gifts... What a filial son, really."
"Hehe, whose son is he?"
Saying that, Jihun's father rolled up his sleeve to reveal the watch on his left wrist.
The watch Kim Jihun had made and gifted him.
Incredibly stylish design, exquisite craftsmanship. A timepiece so beautiful and precise it seemed otherworldly gleamed on his wrist.
Onlookers glanced over curiously.
That looks like a luxury watch at first glance.
Thought they were frugal-looking Asians stretching for a trip, but turns out they're loaded?
Attention focused on the suddenly revealed watch.
And among them was someone special.
Camiel, the executive running a luxury accessories company, was catching up over a meal with an old acquaintance.
"Long time no see, President Camiel."
"Indeed, President Shalua."
Camiel, CEO of a luxury watchmaker.
Shalua, president of a luxury accessories firm.
The middle-aged pair, collaborators for decades since their youth, were close enough for private dinners.
Reunited after ages, they chatted over food.
"Heard you launched a new watch lineup. How's it performing?"
"Not great. Tried bold new designs to break conventions—total flop. You did new necklace and earring lines too, right?"
"Yes. We risked losses for fresh lines... but sales are dismal."
But their talk wasn't cheerful.
Both companies were struggling financially.
Watch maestro Camiel sighed.
"Sigh! Wonder where a truly stunning design will drop from. Confident in movements, but with veteran designers retiring, new lines are tough."
"Same here. Every new launch means deficits..."
They sought new growth engines.
Emerging rivals eroded their established lines, worsening finances.
So they'd boldly released innovative designs.
Sadly, none sold well. Chronic losses loomed.
They desperately pondered salvation.
"Anyway, great meal. Heading back to mull more."
"Hehe, me too. Running a company ain't easy."
They rose and headed for the exit together.
Then they overheard.
"And the view here is amazing too. The nightscape is just stunning!"
"Sure is."
A unfamiliar language chattered cozily.
Camiel thought passing by.
Unfamiliar tongue. Looks Chinese or Korean? Tourists everywhere here.
As he passed the tourists' table, the Asian man rolled up his sleeve, revealing his watch.
"We raised our son right. Haven't done much for him, yet he sends us on trips like this, makes these amazing gifts... What a filial son, really."
Camiel's eyes widened at the watch.
Lustrous sheen, delicate build. A mysterious design blending sturdy elegance.
Thunderstruck his mind.
An unidentified Asian wore a beautifully designed watch no one had conceived.
Beautiful!
A design so captivating it stole his senses. Godly curves and lines, iridescent gleam!
Camiel's gaze locked on the stranger's wristwatch.
Kim Jihun's creation was so artistically beautiful it mesmerized even the watch maestro.
Camiel strode to the middle-aged Asian couple, boldly asking,
"Excuse me, but where did you get that watch?!"
He intuited: That design alone could elevate his company beyond any luxury brand.
Ambition blazed in his eyes.
===========================
Kim Jihun's divine power operation is actually at quite a high level. Before entering school, he'd done so much creation it built up that skill. Like pre-studying calculus while elementary kids learn basic arithmetic. Of course, as a low-level god, his total divine power is limited.
One reader mentioned heading to the military on the 13th... T_T In condolences(?), aiming for 3 chapters tomorrow too!