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."

on the other hand, I will also be under constant danger, and that danger might cost me my life.

can't fully commit to

you should know best what kind of attitude would work best

I chose 22, I might have done something

moment, Shang looked

wouldn't it be very entertaining to watch me hear about the correct path without being able to

like teacher heard about the free deaths in the trial after having already become too

The jester only smiled.

isn't

circumventing the rules of my Affinity. Of course, feeling a

points not with my power but by cheating. I don't want

said, I'm still willing to do it, but this reason also played a small role

then there are two more

jester asked with a smile. "You really thought a

reasons have to do with my impression

impression of me?" the jester

took a deep

mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

secret. The God already knew what Shang

the God

said. "For someone of your power, this is probably the only thing that interests

the jester's

The entire atmosphere changed.

felt like he was a plaything, but now,

he had hit the nail

a sore spot for

entertaining," the jester spoke with a deadpan

first time that Shang heard the God speak in such

thing," Shang said. "You

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

this entertaining and circumvent your expectations?" Shang

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

jester laughed for quite

how long it has been that I have been

think of yourself while making this choice, but

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

nod. "I don't want to serve. I don't want

The jester didn't react.

you, it isn't important what I want. I don't have the power to

the word "yet", but he

a toy begrudgingly comply while feeling resentment was

to bow to your whims, but if I want to achieve my goal, for the time being, I have to. Defying you will only send me to an early