A burst of crimson sprayed into the air as the massive lizard's head rolled across the ground.
Clang!
Not far away, a harsh metallic scraping sound rang out.
With great effort, the severed head twisted its remaining eye and then its pupil shrank in terror.
The broken streetlight it had smashed earlier had somehow been sharpened into a deadly point. Its fractured edge gleamed coldly, shaped like a massive medieval lance. Even a glance at it sent a chill down the spine.
The several-meter-long pole floated in the air above that human's right hand, following him step by step as he approached.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Each footstep echoed with quiet dread, an invisible pressure filling the air.
"W-wait… no… NO!"
With a flick of telekinetic force, Jason drove the sharpened pole down, pinning the lizard monster's head firmly to the ground.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and calmly lit it.
He exhaled slowly.
A faint blue glow rose within the drifting smoke, gathering into the shape of a snarling lizard spirit. It hissed at him with lingering hatred.
"Still acting tough?"
Jason let out a cold snort.
The spirit froze midair.
You can see me?
His Stand activated.
A blank card appeared between his fingers.
The lizard spirit, which had been trying to escape by thrashing wildly in midair, suddenly reversed direction, as if caught in a powerful vacuum. Its form collapsed into a spiraling mass of energy and was pulled into the card below.
"Nooo!"
In the next moment, the empty surface of the card filled with the image of a terrified upright lizard. As glowing lines lit up across its surface, the border gradually shifted into a deep blue.
Demon-level Lizard Monster. Defeated. Sealed.
At the same time, a notification echoed in Jason's mind.
Draw of Fate +1
Current Draw Count: 9
In the distance, sirens wailed.
Jason glanced at the monster's broken corpse, then recalled his "weapon," the well-used steamroller, turning it back into a card.
Moments later, police officers and firefighters finally arrived, extinguishing the flames at the entrance before rushing into the shopping street.
One officer recognized him immediately.
"Jason! You're here too!"
"Yeah, just got here," Jason replied, wiping soot across his face on purpose as he looked over the devastation. "Let's focus on rescuing survivors."
"Right. Damn monsters…"
More personnel poured in, beginning search and rescue operations.
Soon, officers advancing at the front discovered the enormous monster corpse.
"Huh?"
"It's already dead!"
"What? That's great!"
"…What kind of attack did this thing take? A meteor strike?"
…
Elsewhere.
A faint sound of breathing came from beneath a collapsed wall.
Jason glanced around, then lifted the heavy rubble with both hands, carefully pulling out a small girl covered in blood and dust.
"Big brother… I saw it…"
Jason paused.
The girl gently clutched his arm.
"You defeated the monster. You're a hero, right?"
A hero?
Maybe.
For a brief moment, an image flashed through Jason's mind. A bald figure in a red and yellow suit, cape fluttering behind him.
He glanced again at the blood-soaked debris nearby.
Through his telekinetic perception, he could sense two lifeless bodies buried beneath. A man and a woman.
Her parents.
Something in his chest tightened.
His voice softened.
"I'm just a police officer. Go to sleep. When you wake up, everything will be okay."
"…Thank you… big brother…"
With a gentle push of his psychic power, he calmed her emotions. Still clutching his collar, she drifted into a deep sleep in his arms.
…
Fantasy Card: Roadside Steamroller
Type: Item Card
Rarity: N
Description: A scrapped steamroller. Its weight, size, and feel are all just right.
Effect 1: Steamroller Attack
Summons a steamroller from above while shouting its signature call.
…
The next day. Weekend.
Taking advantage of a sale, Jason stocked his fridge with discounted ingredients and made himself a spicy hot pot at home.
As the broth boiled and ingredients went in, he casually turned on the TV.
"Breaking news! Another monster attack hits City Z. The shocking truth behind it…"
"Stay tuned as we reconstruct the terrifying events at Senmori Shopping Street…"
"Eliminate all monsters. The world belongs to humanity!"
"Hero recruitment is now underway. If you have exceptional strength or unique skills, contact us at 18888888888. Once again, 18888888888…"
"Latest update: The Hero Association announces branches across major cities…"
…
Advertisements from the Hero Association gradually filled the screen.
Jason ate while watching, a thought forming in his mind.
Three years from now, that bald guy still doesn't even know about the Hero Association. Does he not watch TV?
Ah. Right. He only gets a few free channels.
Makes sense.
Watching the relentless promotion, Jason ate with satisfaction and opened a chilled soda.
Glug glug glug.
Refreshing.
After cleaning up, it was already late at night.
Standing on the balcony, he let the cool breeze wash over him, his mind drifting.
He might share the Joestar name in spirit, but he was not truly part of that lineage. Still, he had inherited certain traits.
Height of 1.95 meters.
Excellent strength and speed.
And something else.
A kind of unyielding spirit.
Maybe… becoming a part-time hero wouldn't be such a bad idea.
As the thought settled, a blue card appeared in his hand.
Fantasy Card: Lizard Monster
Type: Character Card (Monster)
Rarity: R
Description: A reptilian monster mutated from a human. Disaster Level: Demon.
Note: Ugly as hell. Recommended for dismantling.
Effect 1: Night Vision
Greatly enhances vision in dark environments.
Effect 2: Ambush
Allows rapid approach to prey for a sudden attack.
Seeing the extra note, Jason raised an eyebrow.
The lizard monster seemed to protest silently.
Hey… watch your mouth.
Since a Stand was essentially manifested willpower, the note reflected his own subconscious thoughts.
Unlike item cards, character cards sealed the power of a being. They could be equipped by himself or others, granting the user that character's abilities. Only one could be equipped at a time, and removing it would also remove the granted abilities.
It was similar to premium skins in games. Instant power boost, but no stacking.
Ability cards like Spider Sense had no such limitations.
As for dismantling, it was a more direct method.
Breaking down a Fantasy Card allowed him to extract random attributes or abilities as enhancement materials to strengthen himself.
After a month and a half of practice, Jason had learned one simple truth.
Cards were fun.
But real strength always came from yourself.