Upward Dimensional Star Core
Effect 1: Unlock the "Special Card Draw" interface, limited to 10 minutes.
Effect 2: Grants a max-level Stand the opportunity to evolve again.
The two effects were short and straightforward—yet packed with significance.
"Special card draws… Stand evolution… Just as I expected."
From the very first day he received the system, Logan had speculated about the existence of a "special card draw." After all, if there was a normal card draw, it made sense that there'd be a special version.
He had waited patiently for it to unlock. Now, with the world's deflection point shifting, it had finally arrived—just as he'd guessed.
His eyes locked onto the words "Special Card Draw."
After a few seconds, a more detailed explanation popped up on the interface:
> "Special draws have no guaranteed reward. You can draw 5-star to 6-star stands and props."
"100 soul fragments are consumed per draw."
Logan's lips went dry.
That was expensive.
Insanely expensive.
The cost of drawing had increased tenfold.
Even after killing Yagura, defeating Obito, and crushing the remnants of their loyalist forces—and with the 1,000 bonus points he'd just earned from the world's deflection shift—he still had only accumulated around 3,700 soul fragments in total.
In a regular card draw, that would give him 370 pulls. With average luck, he could expect to land at least two or three 5-star stands.
But now? The special draw would give him only 37 attempts.
And if his luck ran dry? He might walk away with nothing.
If he used the upgraded Star Core to open the special draw window for ten minutes and failed to get a decent stand—or worse, got nothing worthwhile at all—it would be an enormous waste.
Logan's gaze shifted toward the second effect:
Effect 2: Stand Evolution
A display of his current stands appeared. Most were grayed out, indicating they didn't meet the conditions for evolution. Only one stood out—Star Platinum. A faint starlight shimmered over its image, signaling that it was ready.
Logan's eyes narrowed.
"So it's a choice," he muttered. "Either take a gamble on the special draw and blow all my resources… or play it safe—evolve a max-level stand."
Star Platinum was his first free draw, a bonus when he activated the system.
Without the ten-draw bonus effect, it would normally take 150 to 160 pulls to get a single 5-star stand. Then there was the cost of leveling it up:
> Level 1 to 2: 400 fragments
Level 2 to 3: 1,000 fragments
Level 3 to 4: 2,000 fragments
Level 4 to 5: 4,000 fragments
Total: 7,400 fragments
To take a 5-star to 6-star and evolve it, he'd need 8,900 fragments plus one Dimensional Star Core.
So from a cost-efficiency standpoint, the best approach was still drawing via regular means, training the stand, and then using the Star Core to evolve it.
After all, even if he got lucky in the special draw and pulled a 6-star directly, he'd still need to spend even more fragments to level it up afterward.
The only problem? Many powerful stands—like D4C, Weather Report, and others—weren't available in the regular pool.
Logan reviewed his current inventory:
Star Platinum — Can evolve into Star Platinum: The World, granting time-stopping abilities.
White Snake — Evolves into C-Moon, capable of gravity manipulation.
Those were confirmed evolutionary paths.
But what about the others?
Aerosmith might evolve into Little Boy (Nuclear Version).
Rainbow Catcher, with enough upgrades, could become something terrifying too—though that was pure speculation. These weren't shown in canon, so it was hard to tell whether they'd be worth the cost.
Logan held the Ascending Star Core in his hand, deep in thought.
"I should evolve Star Platinum and White Snake first. After that, I'll evaluate my remaining resources before trying any special draws."
With the plan solidified, Logan opened the system interface.
"Use Ascending Star Core. Target—Star Platinum."
Time-stopping was the power he desired most. Five seconds of halted time could decide any battle. Even against monsters like Obito or Kaguya, that kind of window was enough to secure a win.
The Star Core disappeared into Star Platinum's image.
The system responded instantly.
> "Star Platinum Trial Stage Initiated."
"Warning: Trial difficulty is high."
"Trial Description: You and Star Platinum must travel alone to Cairo and defeat Dio Brando. Failure or death will result in the loss of the Ascending Star Core."
Logan blinked.
He was surprised—but not entirely.
Facing Dio as a trial boss for The World evolution?
Makes sense.
After all, how could he hope to master time-stopping without first defeating the one who wielded it best?
He checked the battle restrictions.
> "Only Star Platinum and the host may participate. Other stands—such as White Snake or Hermit Purple—are prohibited."
"Time in the real world will be frozen for the duration of the trial. The challenge will not be discovered by others."
"However, the user's own abilities are not restricted."
Logan raised an eyebrow.
"So my true body isn't nerfed, huh? Then… let's do it."
The system prompted him again.
> "Begin the trial?"
Logan didn't hesitate.
"All in," he whispered. "Start."
The world twisted.
Everything around him melted like dripping oil paint, spinning like a distorted kaleidoscope inside a washing machine. Then—snap.
The chaos stopped. The scenery reformed.
Logan found himself standing on a clean, empty street in what looked like Cairo.
Across the road stood a man clad in a golden coat, wearing a skintight black suit underneath. His muscular build, pale skin, and sinister aura were unmistakable.
He stepped forward. Each click of his boots echoed like a drumbeat of dread.
The oppressive atmosphere rolled in like a tsunami.
No introductions were needed.
This… was Dio Brando.
Logan glanced around. The street was deserted. No cars. No pedestrians.
Perfect.
He took a step forward to close the distance.
Dio's eyes narrowed.
"Haha! Logan… You're walking toward me? Not running away?" he mocked.
Logan clenched his fists. He could feel the difference. This dimension didn't have the natural energy of the shinobi world. No chakra, no elemental blades. But that didn't matter.
"I'm not here to talk," Logan said coldly. "Let's get started."
Dio grinned. "As you wish. I've been waiting to crush you."
They approached one another until only a few feet remained.
Then—
"Ora!"
Star Platinum materialized and threw the first punch.
But—
"Za Warudo!"
The World emerged from Dio's shadow, instantly intercepting. A swift kick struck Star Platinum's leg.
Rip!
Logan's pant leg tore, a shallow cut appearing on his thigh.
"Too slow! Too weak!" Dio sneered, folding his arms. "Your Star Platinum is no match for my World!"
Logan gave a wry smile. "A stand of the same type, huh?"
Dio scoffed. "Why do Joestar bloodlines always act like this? If that's how it's going to be—"
His words trailed off as his gaze dropped to Logan's leg. The wound had already healed. The skin was smooth—untouched.
"…What?"
Dio's eyes widened. This regenerative ability—
Boom!
A thunderous crack echoed through the air.
Golden ripples surged from Logan's body, exploding outward. The pavement cracked beneath his feet. Even with his vampiric eyes, Dio could barely track the afterimage.
"What?!"
Dio's head whipped around.
Ripple…
It was Ripple Energy. That cursed ability from the past!
Even from afar, the passive ripple radiation in the air stung his skin. His muscles tensed involuntarily.
If just being near Logan was this painful…
Then what would it feel like to take a direct hit?
Suddenly, Dio's pupils trembled.
For just a brief moment, time warped—Logan's image blurred and twisted, overlapping with another silhouette deep within Dio's memory.
Jonathan Joestar.
He saw Jonathan reaching out, gently waving.
"Come with me, Dio."
"No…!" Dio snarled. "I am Dio! I will not die to Ripple—an outdated relic of the past!"
"This is the age of Stands! The age of—The World!"
As Logan's fist came down with righteous fury, Dio let out a final roar of defiance.
"Smash! VARUDO!!"
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)