Sword God in a World of Magic

After a full minute, Shang finally made his choice.

It wasn't an easy one, but Shang believed that it was correct.

"I choose…"

"19."

The jester's smile widened as he looked at Shang.

"Now, that is interesting," he said as he appeared directly in front of Shang, looking him deeply in the eyes.

For just a moment, Shang felt fear arise in his heart.

"Even though I blocked your thoughts from my perception, I was still very certain in being able to foresee your choice since I know everything about you."

"Yet, who would have guessed that I would be wrong?" the jester mused as he looked into Shang's eyes with a mad grin.

"I was sure you would choose 22."

"Tell me, why did you choose 19?" the jester asked without moving away.

Shang felt very uncomfortable with the jester so close to his face.

Shang took a deep breath to organize his thoughts.

"There are several reasons for my decision."

"Originally, I wanted to choose 22. After all, it is an increase in power for a sacrifice. This is exactly what I have been telling myself. I told myself that this is how I want to live my life."

The jester waited for the reasons.

"But, for now," Shang slowly said. "I don't want to commit to a path."

"Commit?" the jester asked with interest.

"Yes," Shang said. "You told me that I have already asked the question I want to ask before and that I should wait for the Commander Stage. This means that I will get the answer to my question."

"The answer to the question: What kind of attitude would be most effective on my journey?"

"Well," the jester said, "you phrased the question a bit differently, but it's essentially the same."

Shang nodded. "I have been stuck between two paths for the last two years. Do I help others, or do I hurt others?"

"However, it isn't that easy. If I help others, I will also receive their help, but at some point, the help others can provide me is worth less than what I give them, which will hamper my growth."

"This means that I can't fully commit to this path."

I will also be under constant danger, and

can't

world, you should know best what kind of attitude would work best

I might have done something that could

Shang looked at

hear about the

in the trial after having already become

The jester only smiled.

that isn't my entire

Affinity. Of course, feeling a bit bad won't stop me from doing what I have to

cheating. I don't want to get something handed to

as I've said, I'm still willing to do it,

there are two

more?" the jester asked with a smile. "You really thought a lot about

to do with my impression

your impression of me?" the jester

a

mad, chaotic,

no reason to keep Shang's thoughts a secret. The God already knew

enough, the

"For someone of your power, this is probably the only thing that interests you. There might not be a path

the jester's smile

The entire atmosphere changed.

he was a plaything, but now, he felt like he

guessed that he had hit the

a sore

lucky you're entertaining," the jester spoke

the God speak in such a tone, and it sent chills down his

thing," Shang said. "You

certain that I would choose 22 at the beginning, and I thought that you also predicted I would choose

this entertaining and

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

laughed for quite a

long it has been that I have been

making this choice, but you were actually thinking of me, which completely

the end," the jester said with a mad grin. "By thinking of me, you suspect that you

said with a nod. "I don't want to serve. I don't want

The jester didn't react.

isn't important what I want. I don't have the

the word "yet", but he didn't

toy begrudgingly comply while

my goal, for the time being, I have to. Defying you will only