Creation Talent
“Jihun, you studying for the CSAT?”
Seo Yerim asked Jihun as she leaned on the desk. He looked up from the reference book he’d been diligently working through and nodded.
“Yeah, I’m planning to retake it.”
“I see.”
Seo Yerim glanced at the book he was using. It was covered in traces of his hard work.
“You’re really putting in the effort, huh.”
She patted his shoulder encouragingly. To her, Jihun seemed like a rare, earnest young man these days. Despite his tough family situation, he was juggling a part-time job and studies with such grit—it was impressive.
“You’re handling the bookstore gig great. Being able to squeeze in study time like this during shifts...”
“Well, it’s only possible during these quiet morning hours when barely anyone’s around.”
Jihun crammed his studying into the bookstore’s slow mornings. Afternoons brought more customers, making it tough to focus. But mornings? After sorting books and a quick cleanup, the rest of the time was his. He could read novels or dive into serious CSAT prep.
Thanks to that, he’d balanced the job and studying for nearly two weeks straight.
He’s got such strong willpower.
Seo Yerim admired Jihun’s dedication. She was on a university leave of absence right now, but two years ago, she’d been in his shoes as a test-taker. Seeing him pour himself into it like this, she wanted to help somehow.
“Oh, hey—do you need any reference books? I’ve got some I used before. Want them?”
“Yes!”
Jihun’s face lit up at the offer, and Seo Yerim smiled warmly at his reaction.
In those two weeks, Kim Jihun had torn through over ten reference books. Any average retaker would gape at the pace. It was inhuman speed for most, but his enhanced brainpower and relentless effort made it possible.
Still, it came at a cost—mostly financial, not mental.
“They’re pricey... Kinda hard to buy them all on part-time wages.”
“Reference books are expensive these days, right? These are ones I used, but they’re still in good shape. You can use them as-is.”
Seo Yerim handed over a shopping bag she’d brought. She’d come prepared, knowing she’d offer them.
“You’re in sciences, right? I’m humanities, sadly, so no exploration subjects. Here!”
Kim Jihun took the bag and peeked inside. Three problem collections stared back.
“Thank you so much!”
He grinned as he tucked them away, and Seo Yerim felt a rush of joy at his delight.
Gazing at the books she’d given him, Jihun suddenly asked,
“Oh, noona—you’re on leave now, right? What university do you go to?”
It might’ve seemed rude, but after years of chatting at the store, they were close enough for casual questions like that. Pure curiosity on his part.
But her answer hit him like a thunderbolt.
“Oh. Seoul National University.”
“Seoul National University?!”
Jihun couldn’t hide his shock. SNU was Korea’s top university, period.
“I had no idea you went to a place like that...”
To him, she didn’t scream “intense studier.” Refined looks, sociable vibe. He’d always pictured SNU kids as bespectacled bookworms—never guessed she’d fit there.
“Ahaha. I got in on the essay track, so it’s not that brag-worthy.”
Even her humility came off as the confidence of the accomplished to Jihun. He looked at her with newfound respect.
“Still, SNU essays are brutal, and the minimums are sky-high. Wow, noona—I really had no clue you were that smart.”
“Ahaha.”
She scratched her cheek bashfully. Envy and a spark of rivalry flickered in Jihun’s eyes.
“Alright! Then I’ll study my ass off and aim for SNU too!”
“You got this.”
His eyes blazed as he glared at the books. Seo Yerim cheered him on inwardly.
But he seems pretty sharp himself...
She eyed the problem book he was tackling. It was infamous for its brutality—past CSAT killers compiled into an advanced nightmare that terrified test-takers.
And Jihun was breezing through it, nailing most answers with ease.
He might actually make SNU. Then we’d be alumni, sunbae-hoobae...
Seo Yerim smiled, imagining walking to school together with him.
...
Over two weeks, Kim Jihun kept up the bookstore gig. The pay wasn’t great, but balancing work and study satisfied him. Even better? Snagging [Creation Force +10] here and there.
Analyzing books really is efficient.
The store overflowed with them—prime analysis targets packed with real info. History texts, liberal arts like music and PE, novels—he’d scanned them all!
His brain now brimmed with a massive info hoard.
Everything but CSAT books, since I’m doing those legit.
If not for his vow to conquer the test through pure effort, he’d have analyzed those too. But he didn’t regret holding back. Diligence and hard work were his way of affirming his past self.
He wouldn’t ditch that for power.
Kim Jihun grinned at the text floating in his vision. He’d finally broken 1000 Creation Force.
Hit 1000 today. Time to decode the Creator God Manual?
He smiled, eager for his shift to end.
“Whew.”
Back home after work, Jihun beelined to his room and stood before the book. He took a deep breath to steady himself, eyes locking on the mysterious tome atop his desk: the Creator God Manual.
“Creation Force over 1000 now. Let’s see...”
With tense hands, he opened the cover and peered at the first page.
Flash!
As expected, radiant golden light flooded the room. He swallowed hard and looked closer.
Golden script shimmered there.
Material Creation
All things exist.
Shall we begin with Material Creation? (Creation Force -1000)
Jihun stared intently at the ethereal text. A sacred, untouchable aura emanated from it, sending chills down his spine.
Only now did he truly grasp it.
This isn’t just any book.
He’d thought the Creator God Manual was merely a power booster. Wrong. It was a divine artifact holding the keys to all truths—reserved for great Creator Gods, not mortals.
Somehow, it had found its way to him.
I’m unworthy of this.
The book felt intimidating now. Like Einstein facing the Manhattan Project? Jihun realized he held the chance for immense knowledge and power—and it terrified him.
The unknown always did.
Yet excitement pounded in his chest too.
I want to change.
He’d always craved growth, stung by talentless defeats. His hunger burned brighter than most.
So he pressed on.
“Yes. I’ll begin with Material Creation.”
Whoosh!
Brighter than ever, golden light erupted. Sacred energy swept through him, resonating with his body. Divine radiance infused his form.
“Ahh!”
Jihun cried out in ecstasy. His mind flooded with knowledge of all matter and phenomena—from cosmic cataclysms to quarks.
He tasted fragments of material truth, writhing in bliss. In that instant, a Creator God’s divinity dwelled within him.
He transcended all Earthly beings. The universe’s first intelligent-origin Creator God was born.
...
“He’s begun Material Creation. Right on time.”
Asrie slowly opened her eyes. Her stunning blue irises rippled.
“A Creator God from a mortal intellect. Heh.”
She walked forward, holy energy blending divine and creation power in her wake. Reaching her destination, she spread her white wings and extended her arms, focusing her ability.
Blue aura enveloped her wings; golden flames danced at her fingertips.
“Open.”
A great miracle unfolded. Space roared and tore with a crackle.
The rift stabilized into two small portals. One linked to Kim Jihun’s room. The other to empty void.
She eyed them both, smirking mischievously.
“Time to put you to work, Kim Jihun.”
She had a task in mind for him.
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Author’s Note