The presence of the humans weighed on James's mind even more than the threat of the American lion. Fortunately, as days bled into a week, he found no further traces of the Upright Apes within or near the family's territory. It seemed they held a healthy respect or fear—of Mom and Dad.
Grey wolves, Xenosmilus, cougars, giant hyenas, dire wolves, Miracinonyx, Titanis birds, American lions, and the Terrible Upright Apes... I've seen almost every major predator North America has to offer. Wait, I'm still missing two.
James reflected on his journey, feeling like a seasoned veteran of the Pleistocene. The missing duo were the heavyweights of the continent: the Giant Short-faced Bear and the Grizzly. However, with winter still clinging to the land, those two titans were likely still dreaming in some remote cave.
Better to let them sleep.
Time blurred, and another month vanished in the blink of an eye.
Since the final blizzard, the temperatures had begun a slow, steady climb. The air softened, carrying the faint, earthy scent of renewal. Winter was finally loosening its grip.
One morning, the first breath of spring drifted into the cave. James stirred, waking to the familiar stone walls. Near the entrance, Mom and Dad were already upright, stretching their massive frames and yawning wide enough to show off their sabers.
James followed suit, performing a bone-cracking stretch before looking back at Zack and Zoe. They were still out cold, sprawled in random location.
"ROAR—"
James used his voice to convey a wake-up call, the sound bouncing off the cave walls .
"Wuh-ROAR~~"
Startled from their deep slumber, Zack and Zoe jerked upright, their fur exploding outward in a defensive bristling. Their eyes darted around in a panic, memories of the grey wolf attack from their youth clearly seared into their subconscious.
James couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. It was always entertaining to mess with those two dimwits. Once Zack and Zoe realized it was just their brother's prank, the tension vanished, replaced by sheer annoyance. Zack, in particular, was nursing a serious case of morning grumps.
"ROAR!!"
Filled with frustration, Zack bellowed back at James as if demanding an explanation.
"Little punk. Have I not taught you a lesson in a while? Is your hide itching for a scrap?"
James narrowed his eyes. He lifted a heavy paw and delivered a sharp pop to the top of Zack's head—a firm reminder of the sibling hierarchy.
Zack immediately folded. He retreated to Mom's side, rubbing his head vigorously against her chest. The sight of a sub-adult Smilodon acting like a nursing cub made James mutter to himself.
"Seriously? You're this big and you're still tattling to Mom?"
Mom and Dad ignored the drama. They seemed to be in a sudden hurry. They brushed Zack aside and trotted out of the cave with a sense of urgency. Curious and unwilling to be left behind, Zack trotted after them.
A few moments later, James watched Zack come sprinting back toward the cave, his face is a look of absolute disgust.
This idiot. He actually tried to sniff Mom and Dad while they were clearing their winter bowels? Did he want a taste?
James shook his head, officially done with his brother's stupidity. During the deep freeze, animals were lethargic, often sleeping for days at a time. The resulting winter waste accumulated into something foul and fermented. For James, one accidental whiff was enough to last a lifetime.
Ignoring Zack's dramatic gagging, James summoned his status panel.
---
[Host]: James
[Species]: Smilodon fatalis (Male)
[Age]: 1 Year
[Strength]: 65 (+)
[Agility]: 60 (+)
[Physique]: 62 (+)
[Gene Points]: 20
[Integrated Genes]: Flat-headed Peccary, Clouded Leopard, Giant Hyena, Shark
[Reinforced Parts]: Skin Hardness (Lv1), Tail (Lv1)
[Added Abilities]: Bite Force (Lv1), Tooth Regeneration (Lv1)
---
Lately, James hadn't set any specific goals for new genes. Instead, he had been dumping his points into his raw physical stats. Though his development had slowed slightly as he moved into the sub-adult phase, it was still explosive.
In just one month, his weight had surged by nearly 5 kilograms, bringing him to a total of 135 kilograms. This wasn't winter fat; it was dense, functional muscle.
He had already surpassed half the size of a fully grown Smilodon fatalis, a milestone usually reserved for two-year-olds. At this rate, James estimated he would reach full physical maturity in less than a year. Reaching a three-year-old's development before he even hit age two was an terrifying physiological advantage.
Compared to him, Zack and Zoe were being left further and further behind.
Spring had arrived, and with it, the air became thick with the scent of hormones. It was the season of mating.
"MOOO~~"
In a nearby mountain forest, two massive bull Elk were locked in a standoff. They eyed each other with murderous intent, competing for the right to breed.
They lowered their heads, pawing the earth before charging. Their massive antlers collided in a violent, bone-on-bone impact. In the pursuit of a mate, these usually docile herbivores transformed into aggressive brawlers. Every lunge and strike was delivered with desperate, reckless force, kicking up clouds of dust.
The CRACK-CRACK of clashing antlers echoed through the woods from noon until dusk.
However, the two bulls met a fate they hadn't anticipated. During one particularly violent collision, their complex, multi-tined antlers became hopelessly entangled.
The two elk were trapped in a grim stalemate. Necks strained and heads bowed, they pushed and pulled in a futile dance, unable to break free from the skeletal lock.
At that moment, a Giant Short-faced Bear, newly awakened from its winter slumber and rooting through the soil for tubers, caught sight of the struggling pair.
For a starving bear, this was a gift from the gods.
The Short-faced bear didn't hesitate. It thundered toward the trapped elk, its fur rippling in the wind. Its massive frame carried a terrifying momentum—a living engine of destruction. It moved like an ancient calamity, radiating a raw, savage aura of hunger and death.