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."

that increase my power, but on the other hand, I will also be under

also can't

would work best for me, and until I have that answer,

might have done something that could force me down one

that moment, Shang looked

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

teacher heard about the free deaths in the trial after having already become too old to take advantage

The jester only smiled.

that isn't my

is that I 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 to become

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

still willing to do it, but this reason also

there are two more

asked with a smile. "You really thought a lot

reasons have to do with my impression of you,"

of me?"

a

often illogical, mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

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

enough, the God

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,

moment, the jester's smile

The entire atmosphere changed.

a plaything, but now, he felt like he had

had hit the

probably a sore spot for

lucky you're entertaining," the jester spoke with a deadpan

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

Shang said. "You want

choose 22 at the beginning,

this entertaining and

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

the jester laughed for quite

idea how long it has been that I

think of yourself while making this choice, but you

"By thinking of me, you suspect that you are automatically thinking

"I don't want

The jester didn't react.

front of you, it isn't important what I want. I don't

God took note of the word "yet", but he didn't

begrudgingly comply while feeling resentment

but if I want to achieve my goal, for the time being, I