Creation Talent
Kim Jihun's father jumped at the sudden unfamiliar language.
He turned toward the voice and saw a middle-aged white man with a dignified presence staring at him intently.
Looking a bit flustered, Jihun's father asked, "What'd he say, honey?"
"No idea. French, maybe?"
They were bewildered by the sudden appearance of this excited middle-aged foreigner. They'd just been enjoying a quiet meal when he burst in with his outburst.
Just as they were at a loss, unexpected reinforcements arrived.
"What's the matter?"
It was their interpreter and guide from the trip who stepped forward.
Jihun's parents sighed in relief.
Camiel nodded at the guide. "Ah, an interpreter. Good thing—communication issues would be a problem."
He greeted them politely and pulled a business card from his wallet, handing it to Jihun's father.
"I'm Camiel, owner of the watch company P.B. Might I have a moment of your time? There's something I'd like to discuss."
Jihun's father was stunned when the guide translated. He recognized the name—it was a world-famous luxury brand with centuries of history, a leader in the watch industry.
And now its owner was approaching him out of the blue. No wonder he was shocked.
Camiel continued earnestly. "The reason I approached you is that watch you're wearing—it's simply too beautiful. It's a design I've never seen, but so stunning that I couldn't help but ask to take a closer look, even if it's rude. Would that be alright? I'd make it worth your while."
The guide relayed the words haltingly.
Jihun's father blinked in disbelief. Jihun made that watch for me, and it's impressive enough to stun even people like this.
He couldn't help but be surprised. He'd thought it was just a well-made gift, but apparently, it was something even a watch industry titan would marvel at.
Nodding, Jihun's father removed the watch and handed it over. "Go ahead and take a look. I never imagined the owner of P.B. would take an interest..."
Camiel accepted it with trembling hands and examined it closely. Oh... this!
The intricate craftsmanship. The elegant sheen and flawless design. It felt like gazing at a masterpiece from a new realm of mastery.
Even for him, a lifelong watch enthusiast, the design's perfection was unprecedented.
He marveled from every angle. What stunning form—beautifully blending straight lines and curves into something fresh and harmonious. Surprisingly lightweight too, with perfect weight distribution. This was designed by someone exceptional. Have they been in the industry?
He was in awe. To inspect such a flawlessly crafted piece up close, unlike anything from major companies—it was a rare treat.
Camiel was thrilled inwardly. To encounter such a perfect watch in my lifetime.
He'd become CEO of a watch company professionally, but at heart, he was a true aficionado. Seeing something this magnificent was both a professional highlight and an exhilarating personal thrill.
Grateful to this nameless Eastern man, he kept admiring it. The seconds hand moves so smoothly. Even for an automatic, this fluidity suggests a high-quality movement. What's the back plate like?
Curiosity piqued, he flipped it over to check the back.
See-through backs allowed views of the inner workings.
The moment he did, it was like thunder crashing in Camiel's mind. This... this is?!
His hands shook at the revealed movement. He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
The back was a transparent see-through case, exposing the internals completely.
It was the magnificent movement Kim Jihun had painstakingly designed and crafted.
"My god," he murmured.
On the back plate was something transcending mere artistry. Countless parts intricately fitted together with precise, calculated motion. Their harmonious dance created a fantastical scene.
The cosmos? The world? Time itself? Whatever it depicted, the movement was breathtakingly beautiful and precise.
He could only stare, dumbfounded. This can't be real.
Could "impressive" even suffice? Shock upon shock piled up as he beheld it.
A universe in miniature. Complex gears meshed in cosmic symphony, yielding fluid perfection.
He sensed intuitively: This isn't human skill.
If a god of watches or machines existed, this would be their creation.
Camiel handed it back to Jihun's father with a solemn, earnest plea. "Could you introduce me to the artisan who made this? It's desperately important to me. I'd compensate generously, sir."
He poured his full passion into the request: Tell me who made it.
But the answer was far from what he expected.
"My son made it himself. He's back in Korea right now..."
Korea?
Camiel was taken aback. This inhuman feat of engineering and design from Korea—not Switzerland, the watch capital, nor engineering powerhouses like Germany or America?
Korea's watch tech was this advanced?!
He found it surprising. Korea's industry had peaked long ago and was now a shadow of its former self, lacking the capacity for luxury masterpieces like this.
But curiosity overrode doubt—about the creator of this divine timepiece.
Camiel said gravely, "Could you give me your son's contact? I'll visit Korea myself. Generous compensation, I promise. Please."
He was already planning the trip.
...
"Ugh, so tired."
Kim Jihun stretched his sore body as he crossed through the dimensional gate, back home from school.
Flopping onto his bed, he muttered, "Easier than I thought?"
He realized he was fairly skilled among low-level gods. Few peers handled divine power as well, and none had his depth of creation experience.
After all, he'd developed his Creation Talent from scratch, skipping basics others learned in school. Like reading theses before picture books.
But it's paid off—my skills have grown a lot.
Jihun's perseverance was unmatched. Enduring headaches through sheer grit had forged him.
He was satisfied. Though I might have a rival now.
He recalled the girl god staring intensely—golden-haired, exuding an oddly seductive aura beyond her apparent age.
Leila, was it? She charged at me like we were rivals.
That golden-haired girl was eager to compete with him specifically. Whenever he showed a new divine power technique, she'd counter with something even more advanced.
He'd spent the whole school day subtly vying with her.
But Jihun didn't mind. "Competing with a high creation god's direct descendant? Guess I've got some talent."
He chuckled. From powerless human to rivaling divine elite—it amused him.
As he rested, his phone buzzed.
-Bzzzzt!
Seeing the name on the screen, he lit up. "Mom!"
He answered quickly. His parents were on their trip—just a day apart, but he missed them.
"Hello? Mom?"
"Oh, Jihun picked up. Why haven't you answered? I called several times."
"I was sleeping."
"Already napping? It's barely afternoon."
Kim Jihun grinned. He could hear his parents' excitement through the line, buzzing from their travels.
"How's the trip? Having fun?"
"You bet! Never dreamed I'd see Europe in this lifetime. Wish you were here, Jihun."
"It's your anniversary trip—you two enjoy it alone."
"Aigoo, what a good boy."
Pride swelled in him. Spoiling his parents was every child's dream.
Then they dropped a bombshell.
"Oh, that wristwatch you gave your dad?"
"Yeah?"
Jihun perked up at the mention.
"The owner of P.B saw it on him, asked who made it, so I said you did. Told him you're in Korea, and he said he'd visit soon."
"What?!"
Kim Jihun's jaw dropped.
...
"So this is Korea."
At Incheon Airport, Camiel scanned his surroundings as he exited.
Beside him walked a middle-aged woman of similar age—Shallua, owner of a partner accessory firm.
"Camiel, was that watch that shocking? Canceling your schedule, no secretary, flying straight here..."
"Yes. In my entire life, I've never seen such a perfect piece."
Shallua couldn't quite grasp his rave. As P.B.'s owner, this seemed over the top.
Camiel pressed on. "It wasn't human craftsmanship. I have to meet the maker—that's why I'm here. You haven't seen it, so I understand your skepticism."
"...That good?"
"That good."
They hailed a taxi and showed the driver a note in English. "Take us here."
It bore the address of Kim Jihun's family home.