The fate of the lizard monster was sealed from the moment it was turned into a fantasy card.
Lizard Monster: "...Don't come over!!!"
The gaze of the terrifying ape-like stand glared down at him, and the soul of the lizard monster trapped in the card wanted to shout Yachudie once again.
It was a pity that he existed only in a sealed dimension now and could no longer call out.
The next moment, the stand's ability activated. Cracks spread across the surface of the card, forming into a shattered web before collapsing completely.
Dust-like blue light fragments burst outward from the remains. Most faded into the air, while a few were drawn into Joestar Joshiro's chest as if attracted by a magnet.
[Strength +1, +1, +1…]
According to the feedback from the stand's ability in his mind, the enhancement extracted this time did not contain the lizard monster's unique abilities, but only basic attributes.
The strengthening process was short but inefficient. If the lizard monster's strength was like an iceberg, only about ten percent of what showed above the surface could be absorbed for use.
The loss rate was so high Joshiro often suspected his stand was acting like a middleman, skimming from him in the process.
But even if it was true, he could only accept it. After all, how could one reject the results they gained from their own stand?
As his chest rose and fell, his long-stagnant strength finally broke its bottleneck slightly. It wasn't a qualitative leap forward, but it was better than nothing.
Still, there were modest gains. His pectorals, lats, and biceps became denser and stronger, moving him closer to resembling a real-life Platinum Gorilla.
With that thought, Joshiro spread his hands. A stack of blank fantasy cards appeared before him. Adding the lizard monster's contribution from the previous day gave him just enough for a ten-draw summon.
[Current number of destiny card draws: 10 times]
Having suffered through countless sessions of drawing nothing but low-level N cards, Joshiro shifted his mindset toward faith and metaphysical luck. Drawing cards relied on fate, but a little ritual might serve as comfort.
Then he began the draw.
--------
[Strength (N): Attribute card. One unit of Strength, increasing melee attack, body power, and carrying capacity. Used to strengthen the body.]
[Speed (N): Attribute card. One unit of Speed, increasing balance, reflexes, and movement speed. Used to strengthen the body.]
[Strength (R): Attribute card. Ten units of Strength. Description omitted.]
[One Punch With Twenty Years of Skill (N): Ability card. Charged strike that increases piercing power of the fist.]
[Physique (N): Attribute card. One unit of Physique, increasing endurance, resistances, defense, and vitality. Used to strengthen the body.]
[Spirit (N): Attribute card. One unit of Spirit, affecting perception, willpower, and overall energy capacity. Used to strengthen the body.]
[Speed (N): Attribute card. Description omitted.]
[Physique (N): Attribute card. Description omitted.]
[Senzu Bean (R): Item card. A magical seed from the world of Dragon Ball. Consuming one removes hunger for ten days and instantly heals all fatigue and injuries. Ineffective on illnesses. Quantity: 1]
[Furious Heart (SR): Character card. "Furious Heart" Kennen, member of the League of Legends' Balance Sect. Proficiencies include Lightning Release ninjutsu. Skill tree: 1. Ninjutsu: Lightning Binding Seal, 2. Secret Technique: Chidori Shuriken, 3. Mystery: Electric Blade, 4. Mystery: Thunder Armor, 5. Secret Mystery: Ten Thousand Thunder Heavenly Prison]
--------
"Tch, another dull day… wait."
Joshiro had been expecting nothing but standard attribute cards, but after scanning the ten he reeled in, he noticed that three were notably different.
Seven enhancement cards were absorbed into his chest with a wave of his hand. His stats rose one point after another, a rush of reinforcing heat spreading through his body with each surge. The R Strength card in particular filled him with power that dwarfed the ordinary N cards several times over.
The last three cards remained in his grasp.
[Fantasy Card: One Punch With Twenty Years of Skill]
[Type: Ability Card]
[Rarity: N]
[Introduction: Can you withstand a punch polished across twenty years?]
[Effect 1: Charge]
[Increases fist penetration through charged release]
This card mirrored the famous strike known in martial arts circles for its uncanny force, though it required a moment's preparation to deliver.
[Fantasy Card: Senzu Bean]
[Type: Item Card]
[Rarity: R]
[Introduction: A rare seed originating from the world of Dragon Ball]
[Effect 1: Fasting]
[Eliminates hunger for ten days upon consumption]
[Effect 2: Recovery]
[Instantly restores all stamina and heals most injuries when severely fatigued. Ineffective against disease.]
The fairy bean was a treasure renowned as a life-saving divine medicine in its world. For Joshiro, it would serve both as recovery and emergency rations.
Then came the last card.
[Fantasy Card: Furious Heart]
[Type: Character Card (Hero)]
[Rarity: SR]
[Introduction: Kennen, "Furious Heart," member of the Balance Sect from League of Legends, master of Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Known as the spirit of balance that exists in all things.]
[Effect 1: Ninjutsu · Lightning Binding Seal]
[Thunder-based attacks apply 1 stack of Storm Mark. At 3 stacks the enemy is stunned (Passive).]
[Effect 2: Secret Technique · Chidori Shuriken]
[Throws a lightning-wrapped shuriken that adds 1 Storm Mark to the target.]
[Effect 3: Mystery · Electric Blade]
[Every fifth attack is imbued with lightning, adding 1 Storm Mark (Passive). Upon release, lightning chains toward all nearby marked enemies, adding additional stacks.]
[Effect 4: Mystery · Thunder Armor]
[Transforms body into lightning itself, greatly increasing movement speed. Damages and marks all enemies passed.]
[Effect 5: Secret Mystery · Ten Thousand Thunder Heavenly Prison]
[Summons a thunderstorm surrounding the user that continuously strikes enemies, marking them and strengthening the user's defenses.]
Joshiro's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the details. For the first time in over a month, he had drawn another SR card.
Unlike their original game designs, the powers from fantasy cards carried no imposed value caps, though their mechanics carried over faithfully. Character cards were limited in how they could be equipped, but this didn't diminish their value in the slightest.
His excitement grew not because of the rarity alone, but because this card finally gave his normal attacks elemental attributes. At last, he had authority over lightning itself.
Storing the fairy bean safely in his card library, Joshiro clenched his fist, feeling the possibilities broaden before him.
After finishing the simple meal waiting in his pot and organizing his things, he changed into sportswear and stepped out of the apartment.
His movements were smooth but betrayed a faint eagerness.
He jogged out of the city center, through the rows of semi-abandoned suburban residences, and eventually toward the mountainous outskirts-no man's land, where almost no traces of humanity remained.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
💕💕
READ 45+ ADVANCED CHAPTER AT MY P@TREON! FOR ONLY 10$
at [email protected] /Zaneninjacat
💕💕
💀💀 gimme powerstones!💀💀