Happy Ranch's Milk Cows - 1
The Superior Race—the Arken—cherished and loved humanity. But it wasn't because humans were particularly adorable. Before the Great Purification, humanity had waged war against the Arken. The Arken simply couldn't abandon a species on the brink of extinction, thanks to their humanitarian nature. And once humanity surrendered, offering up all human rights to the Arken, they had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility as masters.
However, humans weren't receiving any special treatment. Sure, they were the most advanced intelligent species on Earth. But considering the vast gap between the Arken race and humanity, there was no real reason for the Arken to value humans any more precious than chimpanzees.
The Arken loved all life on Earth, every intelligent being. Naturally, they couldn't tolerate one creature devouring another. Cows, pigs, chickens, ducks—all forms of animal slaughter for food were banned. Humanity entered the grand vegan era.
But the Arken weren't so rigid. They too had once killed other life forms in the distant past to sustain themselves, and they knew forcing a vegan diet on humans was unrealistic. So, they generously introduced advanced technology. They mass-produced artificial meat that tasted just like beef, pork, chicken, or duck. Robots and androids were deployed across Earth to build massive food factories. Regulations on meat consumption were nominal at best, but capitalism swiftly pushed "real meat from slaughtered animals" out of the market.
With the Arken providing top-grade meat at practically free prices in unlimited quantities, only the most extravagant billionaires would bother eating meat from killed animals. The beasts freed from slaughterhouses were relocated to vast artificial islands created by the Arken, called "Sanctuaries," where they lived out happy lives.
Eggs and milk didn't change much either. The old ways—cramming countless animals into tiny cages to extract eggs or milk—were forbidden by the Arken. A few principled farmers bought up vast lands to let chickens lay eggs in nests, collecting them bit by bit and selling at premium prices, but that was rare. Animal husbandry was essentially obliterated.
Agriculture fared no better. The Arken didn't claim rights over wheat or rice, but modern farming inevitably destroyed the environment and killed insects and animals with pesticides. The Superior Race deployed their technology to create towering vertical farms, and genetically modified grains and fruits—far superior in taste and yield—overtook the world. Humanity escaped the specter of famine.
Some even analyzed that modern humans could afford to pour resources into "sex slave training"—an utterly unproductive endeavor—thanks to the overwhelming productivity enabled by the Arken.
In the end, professions like rancher simply didn't exist in this world.
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"…Haa."
A woman with lavender hair and massive breasts sighed deeply at her monitor. Yu Gayeon. Pharmacologist. Biologist. Owner of Sweet Ranch.
She stared at the endless pile of debts, letting out heavy sighs.
"This is bad. I won't last two more months."
The investors had grown tired of waiting and mostly bailed. The advertising budget was drained. And there was no revenue coming in from the business yet.
If not for her academic achievements and the reputation they'd built, she wouldn't have secured the funding to last this long. It was that fantastical, that foolish a business plan.
The phone rang. Yu Gayeon steeled herself against the mounting pressure squeezing her head like a vise and prepared her act. The caller was probably one of the investors who'd put money into her venture. She had a duty to show them what they wanted to see.
For investors seeking reassurance, she had to play the young, confident entrepreneur: "Yes! It'll work! Just trust me and follow my lead!"
For those showing doubt, she had to grovel: "I'm sorry. I'll do my best. I'll work even harder." Soothing their frustrations.
That was her obligation. Anyone who dragged others' money into their dream had to do it.
"Hm?"
Luckily, it was someone she didn't need to perform for.
"Yes, Mom."
"Aigoo, my Gayeon. How have you been?"
Warmth flooded her.
"Oh, you know, same as always. What's up?"
"Do I need a reason to call? I just missed my daughter."
Yu Gayeon bit her lip hard.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to be a better daughter."
She'd received nothing but unconditional love. Her mother wasn't wealthy, but she'd supported Yu Gayeon without reservation. And she still hadn't repaid that kindness.
"It's okay, it's okay. Even if it doesn't work out, it doesn't matter. How proud I am of my girl."
"…."
"This deacon I met at church was shocked when I told him my daughter is Dr. Yu Gayeon. He kept begging, asking if you could maybe join their company's lab someday."
"I'm sorry."
"No, Mom knows how you feel! I told him absolutely not, so don't worry!"
Yu Gayeon was a genius. Her accomplishments in biology and pharmacology were overwhelming. Scholars worldwide were still building on her papers, sparking new discussions.
"Still, as your mom… since you're so smart and amazing, I wish you'd mate with a Superior Race member, give birth to a granddaughter as pretty and clever as you."
Yu Gayeon had no words.
For most women, being embraced by the Superior Race was no easy feat. You'd have to devote your entire life for maybe a single chance. It wasn't something you could choose. Even CEOs of massive corporations or heiresses would abandon everything for one embrace from Rishian.
But not Yu Gayeon. She wasn't someone who couldn't have sex with the Superior Race—she was one of the rare few who hadn't.
If she truly wanted it, the path was clear: abandon this ranch with no financial or academic returns and dive back into research. In three years, she'd shake the world.
She'd be recognized as a "human female with slightly less inferior intelligence." Qualified to enter Rishian's bedroom.
Then embrace him. That was the right, efficient, rational way to have sex.
But Yu Gayeon didn't.
"I'm sorry. Because of my dream…."
"I know, I know. You're a genius, so you'll succeed for sure."
Yu Gayeon wasn't a fool. She could tell her mother didn't truly believe her. And who could blame her? The ranch hadn't turned a profit in years, and bankruptcy loomed.
Her mother had simply given up. For her daughter's sake, for her dream. The chance to become the "mother of a daughter bred by the Superior Race," the "grandmother of a Superior Race-blooded granddaughter." That honorable position, forsaken.
Yu Gayeon knew her mother loved her. And her mother knew Yu Gayeon loved her back. If she spoke her true heart—"Why not quit that and become Rishian-nim's ordinary fleshlight?"—Yu Gayeon would have no choice but to give up.
She knew, but held back. Out of respect for her daughter's dream. That was love.
"I'm sorry…."
Yu Gayeon cried.
"It's okay, my girl! Cheer up! I love you!"
"S-sure, I'll hang up. I love you too."
She didn't want to show her tears. After ending the call, Yu Gayeon thought:
Should I give up?
She was a genius. Naturally, she'd crossed paths with many others. People with intellect far superior to the average, convinced they could use it for humanity and the Superior Race. And most had eventually admitted they were ordinary.
The genius who'd finished college at ten and published papers at eleven became a doctor upon realizing her limits. She made a fortune, but to her, topping medical school was proof of failure, not success.
Yu Gayeon might have to accept the same: that she lacked the intellect to prove her excellence by achieving her dream.
"I wanted to make milk."
Sweet, nutty, delicious milk brimming with her mother's love. She wanted to create something even better. Offer it to the Superior Race. See Rishian-nim smile as he drank the milk she'd made.
That single-minded goal had driven her. Studying biology, pharmacology—all for better milk.
Simply adding flavors to existing milk might seem efficient, but it could never reach her desired taste. The cows themselves had to change.
So she'd run countless experiments. In the past, that would've required brutal animal testing to develop and administer drugs. But now, humanity had the great Arken as mentors. They hadn't tested these drugs for milk production, but they could instantly confirm if they were safe or harmful.
Thus, she'd given her all. For tastier milk.
"Not yet…."
Her resolve still wavered, but she wasn't ready to quit entirely. She wanted to struggle more. Even if she ended up in another line of work, she didn't want to spend her life regretting, What if I'd held on just a bit longer there?
She straightened her clothes and headed to the ranch. More precisely, the milking room.
After the Arken took control, most ranches vanished. Not just for slaughter, but for milk production too. The Arken's benevolence forbade imprisoning cows in barn cells and forcibly extracting milk.
To create her ideal milk, genetic modification and drug administration were inevitable, so she couldn't run a pasture where cows roamed freely and were milked occasionally.
The solution was simple. Abusing beasts was a crime. Their desires weren't complex or grand, and they lacked the patience to endure brief cruelty or restraint for some greater purpose.
But humans? No problem.
"Haa…."
Yu Gayeon entered the milking room. Countless women with enormous, exposed breasts were strapped into restraints. Milking machines drew fresh, delicious milk from them.
Her dream, hope, and efforts crystallized before her eyes.
Gazing at the scene, Yu Gayeon hardened her heart once more. She couldn't give up yet.