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."

also be under constant danger, and that danger might cost me my life. Danger is

can't fully commit to

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

might have done something that could force me down

Shang looked at

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

trial after

The jester only smiled.

isn't my entire

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

not with my power but by cheating. I don't want to get something

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

then there are two

the jester asked with a smile. "You really thought a lot about

do with

is your impression of me?" the

a deep

mad, chaotic, playful," Shang

to keep Shang's thoughts a secret. The God already

the God

"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 jester's smile

The entire atmosphere changed.

a plaything, but now,

hit

a sore

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

first time that Shang heard the God speak

the thing," Shang said. "You want

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

make this entertaining and circumvent your

"Hahahaha!"

The jester laughed loudly.

laughed for quite a

it has been

but you were actually thinking of me,

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

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

The jester didn't react.

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

the word

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