"So this is what hunting feels like…"
James looked down at the dead opossum under his paw.
"I won't lie… that felt pretty good."
This was the Second time he had successfully hunted something by himself. The prey was small, but it was still a real hunt. For a beginner like him, that was enough.
Just then the system notification appeared.
[Ding! Host independently hunted a North American opossum. Gene Points +5]
So the system counted this as a full kill reward. Last time when he helped kill the young gray wolf, the reward had been smaller because it was only an assist.
This time the prey was entirely his.
Zack and Zoe had originally run away when the opossum sprayed that terrible smell, but now they cautiously came back when they saw the animal lying still.
They stared at the corpse with wide eyes.
James glanced at them and lifted his head proudly.
"See that? Learn from your big brother."
Then he grabbed the opossum and walked to the side.
He pinned the body down with one paw and began tearing into the meat.
Fresh meat tasted much better than he expected. Blood and flesh filled his mouth as he chewed happily.
"Not bad… it's tastier maybe because its the result of my hardwork."
Meanwhile Zack and Zoe sat nearby watching him eat.
Both of them were drooling, but neither dared to move closer.
James had already established his authority among the cubs. If they tried to steal food from him, they would definitely get a beating.
James noticed the two cubs staring at him and smirked slightly.
"Good. Respect your leader."
After eating until he was satisfied, he stepped away and left the remaining meat behind.
The moment he moved, Zack rushed forward immediately and grabbed the leftovers.
However Zoe was not willing to let him eat everything alone.
She jumped onto Zack and knocked him sideways.
The two cubs began rolling on the ground while fighting over the meat.
James watched the scene for a moment and shook his head.
"These two are hopeless."
He decided not to interfere and simply walked toward Mom and Dad.
The hunting lesson ended successfully that day.
Mom and Dad did not stay outside for long. After the training was finished, they quickly began leading the cubs back toward their cave.
Mom seemed very satisfied with James' performance.
She rubbed her head against his several times while walking.
Zack tried to do the same thing, but Dad simply turned his body and ignored him completely.
James chuckled .
"Looks like someone isn't the favorite child."
However, while the family was walking through the forest, something suddenly changed.
A loud roar echoed across the mountains.
"ROAR—!"
The sound was powerful enough to shake the ground slightly.
James immediately lifted his head and looked toward the direction of the roar.
Mom and Dad also stopped moving.
Both of them stared into the distance and released warning sounds.
"Rrr—!"
The unknown roar sounded again.
And again.
Each time it sounded closer than before.
At first it seemed similar to the voices of Mom and Dad, but after listening carefully, the difference became obvious.
James felt his muscles tighten.
"What's going on…?"
Predators often fought over territory. Saber-toothed tigers were no exception.
Sometimes adult tigers would even hunt the cubs of other tigers to eliminate future competition.
That thought made James nervous.
Soon the owner of the roar appeared.
A tiger-like predator stepped out from the forest.
Its body looked very similar to a saber-toothed tiger, but there was a clear difference.
Its fangs were shorter and thicker.
This was a scimitar-toothed cat, Homotherium.
During the Pleistocene period in North America, three types of saber-toothed cats existed. Later scientists would nickname them the "Three Musketeers of America."
There were the classic saber-toothed tiger, the heterodont saber-toothed tiger, and another species known for serrated teeth.
The homotherium species had shorter but stronger fangs. Instead of long blade-like teeth, theirs looked more like thick daggers.
Even though their weapons were different, both species occupied the same ecological role.
And predators sharing the same hunting niche were natural enemies.
Sooner or later they would fight.
The homotherium tiger walked through the forest slowly, scanning its surroundings.
Then it suddenly stopped.
Its nose twitched.
It had caught the scent of something.
Mom and Dad.
Mom immediately gave a warning call to the cubs.
"Rrr—!"
Zack and Zoe quickly moved behind their parents.
James did the same thing.
Right now was definitely not the time to act brave.
Soon the other tiger stepped out from the trees and appeared directly in front of Mom and Dad.
Its eyes locked onto them.
Mom and Dad lowered their bodies.
"ROAR!"
Both sides roared at the same time.
The forest suddenly became tense.
The intruding tiger lowered its body and raised its short tail.
The fight was about to start.
In the next moment Dad attacked first.
He leaped forward and swung his massive paw straight toward the intruder's face.
The other tiger tried to dodge, but Dad was too fast.
The heavy paw struck its face directly.
The impact forced the intruder backward.
Bloody claw marks appeared instantly across its cheek.
Mom did not waste the opportunity.
She pushed off the ground and rushed forward, joining the fight.
The two adult predators immediately clashed with the intruder.
Roars filled the air as the three massive cats fought, kicking up dust across the ground.
James watched the battle from behind.
"Two against one… Mom and Dad have the advantage."
But then a sudden thought appeared in his mind.
Something felt wrong.
Why would the intruder challenge two adult tigers alone?
James suddenly turned his head.
Movement appeared in the bushes behind him.
Another tiger slowly stepped forward.
James' eyes widened.
"Oh… you've got to be kidding me."
There was a second homotherium tiger.
(A/n :- Want me to continue using homotherium tiger or scimitar tiger
Tell me which name you prefer)