Ethan sat crosslegged behind the counter, eyes locked on the glimmering coin he'd just created.
He turned it between his fingers, watching faint ripples of energy dance across its golden surface. It looked perfectly polished, solid, engraved with the same markings as the currency used in the city.
If anyone saw it, they'd never tell the difference.
He grinned. "Alright… moment of truth. If this works, I'm officially rich."
[Creation successful. Object registered: Common-grade planetary currency Silver standard.]
Ethan blinked. "Wait… that actually worked?"
He tossed the coin into the air, caught it, then bit down experimentally.
"...Yup. I'm really awesome ."
But before his ego could fully bloom, another line appeared.
[Warning: Object interferes with planetary law structures.]
[Analyzing impact…]
[Result: Host has created a monetary object recognized by the world's governing principles.]
[Achievement: First Creation Affecting Planetary Laws.]
[Hidden Function Unlocked — "Workshop of Creations."]
Ethan froze, mid toss. "...huh! What do you mean?"
The air shifted. A low hum filled the room, vibrating through the floorboards. The coin in his hand pulsed like a heartbeat, and then
BOOM.
A wave of light expanded outward, bending the air itself. Shelves rattled. Tools clattered. And behind him, a large, shimmering gateway tore open, revealing a vast white expanse filled with floating platforms, luminous blue symbols, and what looked suspiciously like… an anvil?
Ethan's jaw dropped. "What the hell did I just do open a blacksmith's heaven?"
[Explanation: "Workshop of Creations" is an isolated sub-space linked to host's soul. Within it, the host may freely design and produce objects without physical constraints.]
He blinked, staring into the glowing chamber. It was beautiful endless and silent, humming with divine energy. Strange glyphs circled lazily in the air, and at its center hovered a crystal console, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Alright… that's new."
[Additional Note: Any created object will automatically be listed in the System Store. Host cannot directly use self-made items.]
Ethan frowned. "Wait. What do you mean I can't use them?" wasn't logical for him to use what he created?
[Purpose: To prevent karmic interference. Objects of creation are bound to the balance of the world. Direct use by the creator may disrupt causality.]
He squinted. "In layman terms ?"
[Summary: Using your own creations is dangerous. Selling them is not.]
Ethan rubbed his face. "So I can make anything I want… but I can't use it? You're telling me I basically opened a shop that I can't shop from?"
[Approximate analogy: Correct.]
He let out a long, painful sigh. "Great. I'm officially the universe's most cursed craftsman."
The system pulsed again.[ But you could use what you create that is done without the workshop of Creations]
[Additional Restriction: Daily Creation Limit established 100 currency units per planetary rotation.]
[Permanent creation requires Karma Shield activation. Cost: 5 Creation Points per coin.]
[Currency Hierarchy recognized: Copper < Silver < Gold < Platinum.]
"Karma Shield? What, am I going to get cursed for printing money now?"
[Affirmative. Currency is a universal constant tied to energy flow within planetary systems. Excessive manipulation attracts karmic correction.]
Ethan groaned. "So if I make too much, the universe gets mad? Great. Just great."
[Summary: Accurate.]
He slumped back in his chair. "Wonderful. I'm the most responsible counterfeiter in existence."
The glow from the workshop dimmed slightly, stabilizing. Ethan could feel its connection to him like a second heartbeat thrumming faintly beneath his skin.
He looked down at the coin again and smirked.
"Still… even if it's limited, I can make money. I'm not broke anymore."
[Encouragement Protocol: Activated.]
He raised a brow. "Did you just… cheer me up?"
[Negative. System merely acknowledges host's emotional stability improvement.]
He chuckled tiredly. "You're getting sassier by the day."
[Statement: I am evolving.]
"Yeah, yeah." Ethan pocketed the coin and stood, glancing back at the glowing rift. "Alright then. Let's see what this 'Workshop of Creation' can really do."
The moment he stepped through, warmth washed over him. The space was weightless, vast, and filled with strange floating blue orbs that pulsed like miniature stars. Every breath carried a faint hum, like he was standing inside a living thing.
"So this is my workshop, huh? Not bad." He grinned as he felt like a god in this space , then pointed at one of the glowing runes. "How do I make stuff here?"
[Command accepted. Displaying Creation Interface.]
Before him appeared a vast holographic screen filled with hundreds of categories Metals, Organic Materials, Constructs, Flora, Fauna, Energy Artifacts, and even something called Conceptual Creations.
Ethan's eyes widened. "This looks like a cosmic version of an online store."
[Correction: It is the opposite. Host creates. The world buys.]
"Even better," he said, his grin widening. "So… let's start small."
He tapped the "Basic Items" category. The interface responded instantly. Materials appeared in midair — lumps of iron, shards of crystal, tiny threads of gold.
He thought about the shop's old broom worn, broken, splintered.
"Let's try something simple."
He stretched out his hand. Energy swirled around his palm. The materials floated closer, merging under the pressure of his will. His veins glowed faintly as a faint hum filled the air.
Light flared and when it faded, a brand-new broom hovered before him. Sleek handle, polished wood, glowing faintly with an enchantment.
[Creation Complete: Cleaning Implement Rank F+. Added to System Store. Estimated Value: 3 Silver Coins.]
Ethan blinked. "You're telling me I just made a magic broom worth money?"
[Affirmative.]
He grinned wide. "...I think I'm going to enjoy this."
..
Hours passed. Ethan lost track of time as he experimented making trinkets, small charms, even tools. The workshop recorded each creation automatically, listing them in glowing text above the System Store interface.
Each time he created something, a faint drain of energy pulled at his chest, but it was… addictive.
Powerful.
Liberating.
When he finally stepped out, the shop felt different like it was no longer just a dusty corner of the city, but the heart of something greater.
He stretched, cracking his neck. "Alright… that's enough god-tier blacksmithing for one day."
[Notice: Current Creation Energy at 64%. Recommend rest.]
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. His body still ached from the training earlier, but this time, he didn't feel weak. He felt alive.
He reached for the coin he'd made earlier, flipping it between his fingers again.
It shimmered faintly, a symbol of everything that had changed.
Then the system chimed again.
[Reminder: Host's property remains unowned. Recommend purchasing shop for System Shop synchronization.]
Ethan stared blankly at the glowing text. "...You just had to ruin my good mood."
[Encouragement Protocol: Disabled.]
"Of course."
He pocketed the coin and sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll go earn some legit money tomorrow. Maybe the guild has some easy errands. Or I can sell something small."
He glanced at the glowing doorway of his workshop. "Still… this thing's insane. If I can make and sell stuff from there, maybe we won't have to worry about rent ever again."
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he thought of Mira's worried expression earlier.
He whispered to himself, "Don't worry, sis. I'll figure something out. I promise."
The system's voice hummed softly in his mind.
[Promise registered. Motivation level: high.]
Ethan rolled his eyes. "You really record everything, huh?"
[Affirmative.]
"Creepy."
[Observation: Host finds system comforting despite complaints.]
He glared at the floating cube. "I do not!"
[Emotional denial detected.]
He groaned and threw himself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "You're worse than a therapist."
[Compliment registered.]
"Not a compliment," he grumbled, pulling the blanket over his face.
The cube hovered quietly beside him, its glow dimming. The room grew silent except for the soft hum of the still-open Workshop portal in the background a doorway to infinite potential.
As his breathing steadied, Ethan whispered, "I can make money now… I can create, I can change things."
And for the first time, the thought didn't sound impossible.
It sounded like destiny