Having just developed his new ability, Bruce hadn't yet mastered the technique of transformation and couldn't voluntarily change form like he demonstrated in the "Avengers 1" storyline.
As for passive transformation, it required meeting the conditions of either 'anger' or 'life being threatened.'
So...
At this moment, he was consumed by fear without feeling any anger, let alone rage.
Unfortunately, the T-Rex hadn't launched a direct attack, so the 'life being threatened' condition wasn't triggered either.
With no signs of transforming into the Hulk, Bruce Banner trembled like chaff in the wind, watching helplessly as the massive T-Rex approached him.
'Hiss, hiss~.'
Lowering its enormous head, Big White curiously moved closer to Bruce, sniffing his scent.
Having eaten its fill just half an hour ago, Big White wasn't inclined to attack other creatures.
Plus, Bruce Banner was human, sharing many similarities with its master.
In short, Big White was merely curious about Bruce sudden appearance and had no intention of harming him.
"Don't eat me, don't eat me, God bless."
Smelling the fetid breath from Big White nostrils, Bruce grew increasingly terrified, unconsciously mumbling prayers.
The furniture in the wooden cabin had all been brought in by Shi Xiaolei from the real world, and the bedding Bruce was using had also been slept in by him before.
Though thoroughly cleaned, it had inevitably absorbed some of Shi Xiaolei scent over time—thanks to the bed sheet wrapped around him, Bruce Banner not only passed Big White inspection but even gained a preliminary level of trust from the dinosaur.
"..."
Several seconds later, Bruce opened his eyes.
The enormous T-Rex remained before him, though not as close as before.
Confirming he hadn't been bitten and that the creature didn't seem poised to attack, Bruce finally stopped holding his breath and exhaled deeply.
"That scared me to death. I thought I was done for."
Surviving the immediate danger didn't mean the crisis was completely over.
Worried that Big White might suddenly change its mind and attack, Bruce forced his trembling limbs to stand up from the ground.
But just as he was trying to sneak away, Big White suddenly swished its tail and turned its gaze back toward him.
Like a student caught daydreaming by a teacher, Bruce immediately froze in place.
'Gurgle.'
Though his body had been enhanced by the Hulk abilities, he'd still been unconscious for four days.
His stomach was completely empty. He hadn't noticed it earlier due to fear, but now, as his stomach growled loudly, Bruce suddenly felt intense hunger.
His limbs grew weaker while being watched by the massive T-Rex.
'Perhaps before I find something to eat, I'll become its meal instead.'
Assessing his situation, the small hope that had just risen in Bruce's heart instantly vanished, and his mood plummeted.
Big White had no idea what the little human was thinking.
Standing close enough to hear Bruce stomach rumbling, Big White suddenly remembered its master past actions—in the game, when a character suffered from hunger, there would be a 'gurgling' sound effect.
Whenever this happened, Shi Xiaolei would control the game character to take prepared food from the inventory and eat it.
For Big White, who had accompanied Shi Xiaolei for a long time, this sound triggered a clear memory, even creating a conditioned response.
So Big White moved.
It waded into the river and unhesitatingly attacked several saber-toothed salmon swimming by.
While Bruce might have struggled to handle these level-100+ saber-toothed salmon, for Big White—a max-level native creature—killing these fish was effortless.
With just one bite, it killed the salmon.
Then, holding their carcasses in its mouth, Big White stood up, shook its head, and tossed them onto the shore in front of Bruce.
"Huh?"
Never expecting such a development, surprise overcame fear.
Looking at the saber-toothed salmon at his feet, then up at the T-Rex standing in the water, Bruce jaw dropped.
"Roar~!"
As if responding to Bruce unspoken question, Big White opened its mouth and roared.
"Are these really for me?"
With a mix of disbelief, Bruce kept his eyes on Big White while slowly crouching down to pick up one of the saber-toothed salmon.
Big White showed no signs of aggression.
Instead, it lowered its head again, repeating its earlier actions, and tossed a few more fish onto the shore.
Finally confirming this reality, Bruce mood brightened considerably.
Not being eaten by the T-Rex but instead receiving gifts from it—this fantastical and wondrous turn of events dispelled half of Bruce fear, and along with it, greatly improved his perception of Big White.
'Perhaps I could try to build a relationship with it?'
This thought suddenly popped into his mind, and the more Bruce considered it, the more necessary it seemed.
'If a T-Rex exists here, this definitely isn't Earth. Hmm, I don't know what other dangers might lurk around, but having a bodyguard would be quite helpful for whatever comes next...'
On one hand, he wanted to ingratiate himself with Big White to avoid being attacked; on the other hand, he hoped to win its favor and recruit it as his bodyguard.
Having been carried in unconscious by Shi Xiaolei, Bruce had no idea where he was, much less that Big White already had an owner.
From Bruce perspective, having such thoughts wasn't particularly strange.
Thinking and acting, Bruce gathered the saber-toothed salmon Big White had tossed ashore and piled them together.
Then, to find tools for making a fire, he climbed back through the window into the wooden cabin.
Sure enough, he found a knife and lighter that Shi Xiaolei had brought in.
Fighting the hunger in his stomach, Bruce spent nearly half an hour building a bonfire on the beach outside the cabin and placed several wooden skewers with fish meat around the flames.
Seeing this, Big White unconsciously drooled—not long ago, Shi Xiaolei had brought Kanna and 2B here for a barbecue.
Although the cooking process differed from the game, and the grilled meat and fish weren't as uniform as in the game, the seasoned grilled food tasted much better than the game versions.
Having had the fortune to taste it once, Big White had deeply memorized that flavor and formed a strong impression of this cooking method.
Believing that Bruce would make equally delicious grilled fish, Big White excitedly came ashore and lay down on the sand about two meters from the bonfire, full of anticipation.
Its massive head watched the dancing flames while unconsciously making purring sounds in its throat, with drool flowing between its teeth.
Seeing Big White reaction, Bruce became increasingly convinced his idea was correct, and his movements grew more nimble.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist?you can read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)