Chapter 32: The Jester’s Choice

Chapter 32: The Jester’s Choice "I reject." I didn’t sugarcoat my words. Honestly I didn’t have any intention to become a puppet to a god. The word ’Apostle’ might sound all noble and divine on paper... But from what I knew about the novel? It was just a prettier word for slave. Sure, most people would think, Oh wow, a god’s sharing their soul with me! I must be special. But the truth? It was a scam. A divine leash dressed up in reverence. That "shared soul" meant they could whisper into your thoughts. Move your limbs without your permission sometimes. Make you feel what they wanted you to feel. One day, you’re a person. The next, you’re a mouthpiece in holy robes, smiling while your mind screams inside. I didn’t know what effect my rejection would have. Not really. I mean, there were a thousand other ways a god could kill me without triggering heavenly principles. Obviously each demanded a hefty price. Like he could just make someone his apostle and let them do his bidding. It was the easiest... but heavenly principles were strict. An Apostle could never kill unless provoked with the same intention. So, yeah they had to act like goody-two shoes. Still, there were lots of possibilities. But even if I were to die, I didn’t have any intention to accept a leash. The Trickster smiled... then burst into laughter. The kind that sent the floating cards spinning faster. The whole place trembled like it was laughing too and maybe it was. "Rael, Rael, Rael... how much more are you going to amuse me, hmm?" I blinked at him. What the hell was up with this guy? The more I pushed, the more amused he became. Was this some kind of divine masochism? Either way, I didn’t care. The Trickster’s laughter faded slowly. Even the space stopped shaking as if realising the joke was over. Then... silence. He looked at me again. This time, there was no grin or madness. "You passed," he said softly. "What?" "I didn’t actually intend to make you my apostle. More like I can’t, even if I wanted to." What the hell is this maniac on about now? "What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes. He spread his arms wide like a magician revealing his final trick. "You see, Rael... I am not alive anymore." He let out a chuckle again. "What you’re seeing right now?" He gestured to himself. "It’s just an echo. A fragment I left behind before I vanished." He paused, not out of breath but for drama. "That’s why the Heavenly Principles refer to me as the Forgotten Trickster." His grin returned. "Because that’s what I am now. Forgotten." I frowned in confusion. If he never intended to make me an apostle... Then why the hell bring me here? And more importantly, why did the Heavenly Principles allow it? That alone made no sense. The Heavenly Principles were the laws of the world. The thing that held the system together. Most people thought of the system as just... part of the world. A natural phenomenon, like gravity. But I had read Noah’s novel. I knew the truth. The system was real. But it wasn’t mindless. It wasn’t sentient either but it was managed by a consciousness called The Heavenly Principle. They only existed to maintain balance across the universe and never interfered unless someone broke the law. But somehow, it allowed this—The Forgotten Trickster—to meet me. "Why did you grant me an audience then?" "I just wanted to meet the one who might walk the same path as me." He tilted his head. "And I must say... I wasn’t disappointed." The same path? What does that mean? I stared at him, waiting for an answer but of course, the cryptic bastard just tilted his head and kept grinning. Same path... Does that mean I could become a god? Is that even possible? I mean, yeah, I have always known I’m ridiculously talented. Handsome too, in case anyone forgot. But divine? I really didn’t give that much thought till now. Noah’s novel never mentioned any real way to ascend to godhood. It ended with the protagonist reaching SSS-Rank—the so-called "limit" for mortals with world-shattering powers but not divinity. Still... he did kill gods. A lot of them actually. All thanks to his Nexus—it was literally designed to butcher divine beings like they were oversized chickens. But now? This Trickster guy is talking like I might have a chance to reach a level the protagonist never did. And that’s not something you say to a background extra. "Don’t think too much... Young Jester. We should act on whims rather than thoughts. Hahahahahah." The guy let out another fit of laughter. I was sure by now...this guy was either some Psychological patient or... it was his flaw to laugh like that. I mean even gods have to follow the rules of the world right? "Still you lack one thing as a Jester... one crucial thing." His voice turned serious. I leaned in on my chair as my ears perked up. Alright. Lay it on me. What earth-shattering truth was he about to drop? Was I missing some profound emotional wisdom? A key philosophy? A forbidden technique? He smiled wide, utterly pleased with himself. "The thing you lack is... an assistant." The Trickster leaned back. "Every good jester needs a partner, don’t they? Someone to share the stage... or maybe as a butler." My brow furrowed. "You mean, like... a sidekick?" His grin sharpened. "No, no. Not a sidekick. An assistant. Someone who will be your loyal servant." The air rippled again, the cards started spinning faster before a single card appeared in the Trickster’s hand. "You are lucky, Young Jester." he whispered, eyes glowing with a strange light as he scanned the card. "I have a perfect candidate for you in mind." He leaned closer, as a childish grin appeared on his face. "...Consider this as my gift to someone who might be my successor." The Trickster flicked the card away... as it started expanding with a blue glow before it shifted to form a figure. A figure I knew. "What the fuck is this guys doing here?"