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."

be under

I also can't fully commit

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

if I chose 22, I might have done something

that moment, Shang looked at

it be very entertaining to watch me hear about the correct path without being

heard about the free deaths in the trial after having

The jester only smiled.

that isn't my entire

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

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

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

are two more

jester asked with a smile. "You really

reasons have to do with my

impression of me?" the jester

took a

often illogical, mad, chaotic, playful,"

thoughts a secret. The God already knew

the God didn't

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

the jester's smile

The entire atmosphere changed.

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

that he had hit the nail

a sore spot

jester

speak in such a tone, and it sent chills

thing," Shang said.

certain that I would choose 22 at the beginning, and I

make this entertaining and circumvent your

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

laughed for quite

it has been

while making this choice, but you

grin. "By thinking of me, you suspect that you

don't want to serve. I don't

The jester didn't react.

you, it isn't important what I want.

note of the

begrudgingly comply while feeling resentment

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