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 constant danger, and that danger might cost me my

I also can't fully commit to that

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

chose 22, I might have done something that could force me down

that moment, Shang looked at

entertaining to watch me hear about

in the trial after having already become too old

The jester only smiled.

isn't my entire

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

these three points not with my power but by cheating. I don't want to get something handed to me

it, but this reason also played a small

are two more

the jester asked with a smile. "You

have to do with my impression of you,"

of me?"

took a

illogical, mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

secret.

the God

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

that moment, the jester's

The entire atmosphere changed.

but now, he felt like he

hit the

sore spot for

entertaining," the jester

speak in such

the thing," Shang said. "You

choose 22 at the beginning, and

this entertaining and circumvent your expectations?"

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

laughed for

long it has been that I have

you to think of yourself while making this choice, but you were actually thinking of me, which

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

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

The jester didn't react.

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

note of the word

a toy begrudgingly comply while

don't like to bow to your whims, but if I want to achieve my goal, for the