"Strange, are those soldiers? And some science expedition members, perhaps?"
The dragon, with sensory abilities beyond human comparison, detected the specific details of the group trekking through the dense forest from a great distance. A squad of heavily armed soldiers, numbering just over ten, accompanied by five civilian researchers, were making their way cautiously through the perilous Amazon. The scientists stopped intermittently to examine plants or capture images of animals, engaging in animated discussion.
"A research team escorted by so many soldiers?" Drake's face showed confusion, finding the combination before him somewhat baffling.
Around the world, countless nations dispatch exploratory parties to uncover unknown secrets, and the nearly untouched Amazon is a coveted destination for many biologists. Typically, explorers might hire local guides, but the presence of a fully armed military escort seemed completely illogical.
Observing the racially diverse group, Drake became cautious.
'Could they have discovered my presence and sent a team to investigate? It seems improbable—what luck that would require.'
With countless species yet to be discovered on Earth, Drake's relatively large size notwithstanding, his time on the planet had been brief. And he had stayed deep within the Amazon, a place few would surveil constantly, let alone spot him by chance.
It was as unlikely as surveilling the vast territory of Huaguo, randomly hitting a satellite imaging button, and discovering an extinct dinosaur through satellite photos.
'But this could be an opportunity... an opportunity to interact with modern humans from a developed nation. Perhaps there's a way...'
A glint appeared in Drake's dragon eyes, a thrill coursing through him.
Presently unable to assume human form, Drake couldn't blend into human society due to his size. And with his current power level, unless he transformed back into a demigod dragon, he stood no chance against modern technology. He might become impervious to Earth's technology in the future, but certainly not yet.
And since he'd confirmed that he possessed unique, exceptional powers on Earth, that he alone was a magical creature, he no longer needed to be so cautious. Technological as humanity might be, their fundamental misunderstanding of magic meant they couldn't decipher its mysteries, akin to attempting advanced mathematics without mastering basic arithmetic.
Without foundational knowledge of magic, its secrets remained beyond reach.
'Besides, I don't need a permanent positioning device here. According to AI, I can leave Earth for Saint Soren at any time—a perfect escape tool!'
Emboldened, Drake's courage swelled. Even if humanity launched nuclear weapons, as long as he left Earth for Saint Soren before the explosion, could the bomb really tear through space and time? If nuclear weapons were that powerful, humans would have conquered space already!
With his life assured, a variety of bold ideas flooded Drake's mind.
'Time to be bold; fortune favors the brave! Let's do this!'
...
The humid air of the Amazon was nearly unbearable, but the rigorously trained soldiers endured, their only complaint being the daily maintenance of their firearms to prevent malfunctions in such an environment.
Unaware of their mission's specifics or what they were searching for, they followed orders, advancing under their commander's lead.
In truth, even the commander lacked clarity on the mission, having been ordered to investigate the area for any special occurrences.
"Let's take a short break, everyone," Professor Johnson suggested.
As some soldiers kept watch, others rested. The accompanying students caught their breath, well aware that research in the Amazon was far from a pleasant expedition—rather, it was a potentially maddening ordeal.
The soldiers whispered amongst themselves, while the students chatted and laughed, comforted by the protection of the American soldiers.
Professor Johnson, about to refuel with some high-energy snacks, glimpsed something startling and stood up to investigate, pushing through a cluster of bushes.
"Oh, my God!"
At Professor Johnson's exclamation, the soldiers tensed, and the students stood quickly.
Crowding behind Professor Johnson, the commander asked, "What did you find, Professor?"
"Look at these footprints; they don't belong to any known creature on Earth."
An ecstatic Professor Johnson urged his thrilled students to take photos while he measured the prints.
"Incredible, absolutely incredible! Can you believe it? This creature must be over eight meters long, judging by the footprint and the tail marks. Based on the soil's compactness and the depth of these prints, I suspect this unknown being weighs at least thirty tons! An African elephant is at most eight tons. It's impossible for the Amazon to harbor such a colossal beast. Guess what comes to mind?"
The professor's voice shook with frenzied excitement.
"...Dinosaurs!!!"
His students mirrored his expression, delirious with exhilaration. Considering all the creatures that had ever existed on Earth, the only ones that could leave such footprints were the prehistoric rulers from sixty-five million years ago.
"Could it be that the Amazon still harbors dinosaurs long thought extinct?"
The students buzzed with speculation.
The composed commander considered his superiors' orders and felt these tracks might be related to the mission. "Professor, can we track this supposed dinosaur?"
He believed that even if they couldn't pursue the creature themselves, they could send helicopters to search. Such a large species, once discovered, would find hiding difficult.
As for encountering an actual dinosaur, the commander wasn't afraid. His squad was well-armed, capable of handling even the most frightening dinosaurs. To modern humanity, the erstwhile rulers of Earth, if resurrected, would end up in zoos for public viewing or dissected in research labs.
A thought struck Professor Johnson, perhaps understanding the soldiers' true purpose. If they truly discovered prehistoric creatures, his name would be immortalized as one of the discoverers.
"The soil is fresh; this creature must have passed through recently. It's too big to obscure its tracks; we should be able to catch up with it soon."
"Then let's pursue!"
At the commander's order, both soldiers and students, invigorated and forgetting their fatigue, eagerly began the chase.
Evidence of the incredible creature's existence was everywhere—the battered trees, the crushed undergrowth, the deep footprints. It couldn't be clearer.
"Commander, I don't know why, but I'm feeling a bit uneasy," a soldier said, clutching his chest, feeling his heart pound and licking his lips nervously.
"I feel it too. My blood's boiling, and I'm getting goosebumps. Be cautious, something's off," the commander responded, his combat instincts alerting him to the eerie silence and the terror that seemed to pierce their hearts. Taking a deep breath, he ordered his team to be on guard.
Before long, they heard the sound of flowing water. Emerging from the woods to a riverside clearing, they finally laid eyes on the legendary creature—there, massive and magnificent, was the dragon!