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."

will also be under constant danger,

I also can't fully commit to

God of this world, you should know best what kind of attitude would work best for me, and until I have

I chose 22, I might have done something that could force me down one of the two

that moment, Shang looked at

entertaining to watch me hear about the correct path without being able to

the free deaths in the trial after having already become too

The jester only smiled.

that isn't my entire

feel a bit bad for circumventing the rules of my Affinity. Of course, feeling a bit bad won't stop me from doing what I have to do

but by cheating. I don't want to get something handed to me

do it, but this reason also played a small role in my

are

with a smile. "You really thought a lot about this

do with my impression

of me?"

took a deep

often illogical, mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

no reason to keep Shang's thoughts a secret.

the

all of that doesn't matter. What you want is entertainment," Shang said. "For someone of your power, this is probably the only thing that interests you. There might not be a path forward anymore, which forces you

moment, the

The entire atmosphere changed.

he was a plaything, but now,

hit

was probably a sore spot

the jester spoke with a deadpan

that Shang heard the God speak in such

thing," Shang said. "You want

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

entertaining and circumvent your

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

jester laughed for quite

have no idea how long it has been that I have been surprised like

you to think of yourself while making this choice, but you

with a mad grin. "By thinking of me, you suspect that

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

The jester didn't react.

front of you, it isn't important what

note of the

toy begrudgingly comply while feeling

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