The Lizard Monster's fate had been sealed the moment it was turned into a Fantasy Card.
Lizard Monster: …Don't come any closer!
The gaze of a certain terrifying upright primate shifted toward it. Trapped inside the card, the lizard's soul wanted nothing more than to scream again.
Too bad it could no longer make a sound.
The next instant, Jason activated his Stand.
Cracks spread across the surface of the card, forming a web-like pattern before it shattered completely.
A cloud of blue particles burst out from the fragments. Most of them dissipated into the air, but a small portion was drawn into Jason's chest like iron filings to a magnet.
Strength +1, +1, +1…
According to the feedback in his mind, the extracted enhancement this time did not include any special abilities from the Lizard Monster. It was purely basic attributes.
The process was brief, but the loss was significant. If the monster's power were an iceberg, then what he absorbed was only the tip above the surface.
The efficiency was so low that Jason briefly suspected his Stand was skimming something off the top.
Then again, even if it was, what could he do? It was his own Stand.
Might as well spoil it a little.
As his chest rose and fell, the long-stagnant ceiling of his strength loosened slightly. It was not enough for a breakthrough, but it was still an improvement.
More importantly, the changes were gradual but noticeable.
His chest, back, and arms all grew more defined. He was getting closer and closer to that "human version of a certain platinum gorilla."
If that was the case…
With a thought, Jason spread his hands and summoned a stack of blank Fantasy Cards. Adding the draw count he gained from the Lizard Monster, he had just enough for a ten-pull.
Current Draw Count: 10
After suffering through a nightmare streak of daily single pulls filled with nothing but basic Strength N cards, Jason had decisively switched to ten-pulls.
There was no pity system for Draw of Fate.
But luck was as much about belief as anything else.
"Let's go."
He drew.
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Strength (N)
Attribute Card. Grants 1 unit of Strength. Affects melee damage, physical power, and load capacity.
Speed (N)
Attribute Card. Grants 1 unit of Speed. Affects balance, reflexes, and movement speed.
Strength (R)
Attribute Card. Grants 10 units of Strength.
Twenty Years of Power Punch (N)
Ability Card. A charged strike that enhances penetration.
Constitution (N)
Attribute Card. Grants 1 unit of Constitution. Affects endurance, resistance, defense, and vitality.
Spirit (N)
Attribute Card. Grants 1 unit of Spirit. Affects perception, mental power, and energy levels.
Speed (N)
Constitution (N)
Senzu Bean (R)
Item Card. A miraculous seed from another world. Restores full stamina and heals all injuries instantly when consumed.
Heart of the Tempest (SR)
Character Card. A lightning-wielding warrior from another world, master of thunder-based techniques.
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"Man… another boring pull… wait."
Jason had already been ready to complain when he noticed something.
It was not all junk.
With a wave of his hand, seven attribute cards sank into his chest one after another. A surge of raw power flooded through his body.
Especially the R-rank Strength card.
Compared to N-rank cards, it was ten times the satisfaction.
At the same time, the remaining three cards dropped into his hand.
Fantasy Card: Twenty Years of Power Punch
Type: Ability Card
Rarity: N
Description: Twenty years of effort in a single punch. Can you handle it?
Effect: Charge Strike
A charged attack that greatly enhances penetration.
A decent martial technique. The only downside was the wind-up.
Next.
Fantasy Card: Senzu Bean
Type: Item Card
Rarity: R
Description: A miraculous seed.
Effect 1: Sustenance
One bean can keep you full for ten days.
Effect 2: Full Recovery
Instantly restores stamina and heals all injuries. Ineffective against illness.
A lifesaver. Even as emergency food, it was priceless.
He stored it away without hesitation.
Then came the real highlight.
Fantasy Card: Heart of the Tempest
Type: Character Card (Hero)
Rarity: SR
Description: A master of lightning techniques, walking the path of balance between all things.
Effect 1: Lightning Mark
Attacks imbued with lightning apply a stack. At three stacks, the target is stunned.
Effect 2: Lightning Shuriken
Throws a lightning-infused projectile, applying a stack.
Effect 3: Surge Blade
Every fifth attack is enhanced by lightning. Can trigger additional strikes on marked enemies.
Effect 4: Thunder Cloak
Transforms into lightning, increasing speed and damaging enemies along the path.
Effect 5: Storm Domain
Summons a storm that continuously strikes nearby enemies while boosting defense.
As the information flowed into his mind, Jason's eyes lit up.
After more than a month, he finally pulled another SR.
Fantasy Cards did not follow rigid game numbers, but the mechanics remained largely intact.
Sure, Character Cards had equipment limits.
But that was not the point.
The point was…
He could finally control lightning.
He casually absorbed the Power Punch card, stored the Senzu Bean, and finished the rest of his hot pot in a few quick bites.
After cleaning up, he changed into sportswear and headed out.
His movements were smooth, efficient, and filled with barely contained excitement.
Leaving the apartment, Jason jogged out of the city center, passing through the outskirts that had not yet fully decayed into abandoned zones, and made his way toward the mountains beyond.
In this world, due to the low population, areas outside the cities were almost completely devoid of human presence.