Amidst the shattered ruins, a massive crater had been blasted open. Inside lay the colossal corpse of a mammoth, torn to pieces and charred beyond recognition, the air thick with the acrid smell of burnt flesh.
Even the thick-skinned mammoth couldn't withstand Swampfire's ferocious assault.
"Roar!"
The Spinosaurus, eyes glowing blood-red, burst out of the fiery ring and lunged straight at Swampfire. The mammoth's demise had filled it with dread. Rather than wait to be roasted alive inside the flames, it chose to fight back—desperation driving it to gamble everything for survival.
Facing the oncoming beast, Swampfire released a thick surge of swamp gas that quickly spread across the nearby vines.
Sssssss!
In the next instant, the vines shot upward like plants growing at hyper speed, stretching dozens of meters high before twisting together into a massive green hand.
Before the Spinosaurus could react, the vines swarmed over it, wrapping its entire body into a huge bundle. No matter how violently it struggled, it couldn't move an inch.
[Ding~ Triggered Alien Hacker Mission]
[Kill the Spinosaurus]
[Random Enhancement Effect Obtainable]
"Rest in the Fire!"
Swampfire raised his hand and unleashed a torrent of crimson flames that swallowed the Spinosaurus whole.
Already badly wounded, the creature couldn't break free from the tightening vines. Within moments, the raging fire reduced it to ashes, leaving behind only a blackened skeleton still radiating faint heat amid the ruins.
The air went completely still.
The crowd stood frozen, mouths hanging open, eyes fixed on the tall, lean figure standing in the smoke.
After a long silence, someone finally shouted, "Hero! The fire-breathing hero saved us!"
"Hero!"
"Hero!"
...
The others snapped out of their daze and joined in, raising their arms and cheering with all their might. Excitement and relief spread through the crowd like wildfire.
[Ding~ Successfully defeated the Raging Spinosaurus]
[Increased Omnitrix transformation duration: 2 minutes]
[Omnitrix initial transformation time: 10 minutes, now upgraded to 12 minutes]
[Note: The Omnitrix possesses a protective function. Certain specific reasons may cause the duration to extend or shorten.]
A sequence of System notifications echoed in Lucian's mind.
Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Not a bad enhancement."
At this rate, reaching unlimited transformation time didn't seem impossible.
As Swampfire pondered the thought, the surrounding crowd surged forward like a tide, quickly surrounding him.
"Hero!"
"Alien, you're so manly! Can I get your contact info?" a green-eyed woman with dyed white hair called out.
"He should give it to me! I'm a famous model in Washington. Alien hottie, dinner's on me tonight—then we can get to know each other better..." a tall blonde woman said, pushing out her chest proudly.
"No, all of you back off! Don't you dare defile our hero! He's our guardian deity—he doesn't have time for you!"
"Exactly! You'll just slow down our alien big bro's fire-breathing!"
"Hey, alien bro! Drinks are on me tonight—we're not going home till we're wasted!"
...
Countless men scolded the women flirting with Swampfire, each one eager to befriend such a powerful alien and earn themselves an advantage.
Ben and the others were squeezed tight within the crowd, unable to get anywhere near Swampfire. They could only watch helplessly as he was surrounded by admirers, their faces filled with exasperation.
"My cousin!" Gwen shouted, but no one paid her any attention.
Grandpa Max shook his head with a wry smile. "That's your cousin's charm for you. Let's just wait for him outside."
"Oh, man…" Ben groaned, rubbing his forehead.
In the midst of the chaotic crowd, Swampfire shook his head. These people were completely out of control—some wanted photos, others begged for autographs, and a few even tried to flirt. Even the faint stench of swamp gas coming from his body couldn't drive them away.
Swatting aside a woman's wandering hand, Swampfire unleashed a burst of overwhelming energy, forcing everyone around him to step back. Then, placing both palms downward, he released a powerful jet of flame that propelled him into the air.
Like a rocket taking off, he blasted free from the mob and sped away into the distance.
Seeing this, Grandpa Max quickly started up the Rustbucket and took off after him with Ben and Gwen in tow...
...
At the Verities Award Ceremony, a man in a suit stood proudly on stage, holding a magnificent golden trophy.
"Dr. Kelly, congratulations on winning this year's Verities Award!" he announced, handing the trophy toward a middle-aged man.
Before Dr. Kelly could accept it, the ground began to shake violently.
At the same time, a dark shadow fell across the glass doors. The massive outline loomed larger by the second, with two crimson lights gleaming through the darkness—eyes belonging to some enormous creature.
The crowd turned pale. Panic spread like wildfire as people screamed and fled in every direction.
Crash!
A monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex, its blood-red eyes brimming with murderous intent, smashed through the glass doors and charged straight at Dr. Kelly.
"Ah!"
Dr. Kelly stumbled backward, trying to run, but another foot suddenly tripped him.
The Verities Award flew from his hands. Dr. Animo leaped from the T. rex's back with astonishing speed, diving forward to grab the golden trophy.
Thud! He hit the floor hard, landing flat on his back, but he clutched the award tightly to his chest.
"My Verities Award!" he cried, holding it like treasure.
"Who... who are you?" Dr. Kelly stammered, eyes wide with terror as he stared at the deranged scientist before him.
"I am the world's most brilliant genius—Dr. Animo!" Animo declared, lifting the trophy high above his head. "And this Verities Award belongs to me! No one deserves it more than I do!"
"That's... mine," Dr. Kelly said weakly, trembling.
Dr. Animo's eyes were bloodshot. He jabbed a finger at Kelly and shouted, "Quick! Eat this babbling fool!"
At his command, the Tyrannosaurus let out a guttural growl and lunged forward. Dr. Kelly went pale as death. Somehow, fueled by raw terror, he scrambled to his feet and bolted.
But the T. rex was faster. Its jaws clamped down on his coat, lifting him high into the air before opening wide to swallow him whole.
"Ahhh!" Kelly's scream tore through the air.
Was this really how he would die? After finally earning the Verities Award, to be devoured by a dinosaur—it was too cruel, too absurd. He couldn't accept it!
Whoosh!
A streak of green shot across the hall. Flames flared from its palms as Swampfire moved faster than lightning, snatching Dr. Kelly out of the air just before the T. rex's jaws could close.
"ROAR!"
The dinosaur bit down on nothing and erupted in rage, its blood-red eyes blazing as it let out a deafening roar toward the intruder...