Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Terrifying Giants on the Horizon
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Blue skies with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily.
Beneath them stretched a vast, open plain.
The cats glared at the breathtaking vista—as if they wanted to devour it whole.
Kyaoong!
Kraaow!
[That thing's terrifying!]
[I've never seen one that big before!]
Gray and Shadow had started off startled, then switched to defensive snarls. Now they were growling with full-on aggression.
That was when it happened.
Moooo~.
A deep, resounding howl echoed across the wide plain.
Grrrrr... Oong!
Grrrr... Eek!
The cats' eyes flashed like lasers as they growled fiercely.
Meanwhile,
Sapsari's eyes sparkled as he joined in.
Kaoooong~.
[Hehe, as expected from Big Brothers' friends. So cool!]
Sapsari stamped his paws excitedly.
Even the usually unflappable Sapsari was worked up, so Go Gi-jin glanced in the rearview mirror with a grin.
"Big Brother, those guys got all excited seein' the ranch, huh? Sapsari's dyin' to go runnin' out there right now..."
Go Gi-jin chuckled heartily before continuing.
"Heh, y'all like it that much? Hold your horses~. I'll take ya down to that pasture. Go run wild all ya want~."
*You're seriously enjoying those sounds?* Lee Jun wanted to say, but since half of it was true, he just brushed it off.
"Well... tch!"
Then he turned his gaze to the ranch.
This was probably the one Go Gi-jin managed.
Looking at the wide-open pasture made his own chest feel wide open too.
*No wonder he kept circling back—he wanted to show me this place.*
Go Gi-jin had insisted on driving at the start, saying someone who knew the roads had to take the wheel.
"After seein' nothin' but cramped buildings fore and aft, this is real nice."
"Heh heh, told ya? Just lookin' at it makes ya smile without even tryin'."
"Looks like it."
Lee Jun nodded, then added,
"Thanks."
For bringing him here, for coming back around to show him this amazing sight, for genuinely worrying about him and looking out for him.
That one short word held all his gratitude.
"Heh heh, what'd I even do?"
Go Gi-jin chuckled and eased off the gas a bit.
It was his way of letting Lee Jun soak in the view a little longer.
The cats, who had been snarling nonstop, were still plastered to the windows, meowing away.
[The neck looks tough. Better start with the legs.]
[Yeah. Go for the tail?]
[Good idea. Climb the tail and hit the back.]
[Got it!]
Lee Jun overheard their chatter and burst out laughing.
*They were snarling in shock at the cows a minute ago, and now they're already used to 'em? Well, they've met all sorts of critters by now, so makes sense.*
Remembering how the cats had gotten along with seals, turtles, and sea lions, Lee Jun turned around and asked,
"You guys are already plannin' to play with them?"
The two cats leaped up at his words.
[What're you talkin' about? Play with those guys?!]
[Big Brother, those things are dangerous!]
"Dangerous?"
[Yeah! Their howls are huge. Gotta be super strong. Scary as hell!]
[One step and we're cat heaven-bound. Those are monsters!]
Lee Jun was surprised by what they said.
*They can tell from a distance that those cows are huge and powerful?*
Lee Jun tilted his head slightly.
*Aren't cats near-sighted? I learned their vision's weak up close... Wait, can they judge size by smell?*
While Lee Jun pondered their words, Sapsari looked utterly confused.
[Th-those cool Big Brothers are dangerous? They aren't Big Brothers' friends?]
[No friends!]
[That's right. Not friends!]
"Why not friends?"
[Too big! Dangerous!]
[One stomp and we're done. Even if they bite and toss us, we're toast.]
"Hmm... Dangerous 'cause they're so big?"
[Exactly. Big Brother, you be careful too! Big means hurts!]
Gray shuddered, recalling the time he'd been hit by a car.
[Super strong. Dangerous!]
Shadow tensed up, thinking back to when the thug trio had bitten and flung him around.
Sapsari stared at the distant cows with a sad face while eyeing the cats.
[I thought they were awesome-lookin' Big Brothers! Their barks were cool too!]
Sapsari let out a tiny *Krrrooow!* as he spoke.
"Big Brother, why're they actin' up all sudden-like? They don't wanna go to the ranch or somethin'? Should we swing by before headin' home?"
"They're sayin' those cows are dangerous animals."
"Huh? How'd you know that?"
"They say one's strong enough to crush ya if it steps on you. Might bite and throw ya too."
"Hahaha! Our babies really are geniuses, geniuses."
The cats, who had been listening intently to Lee Jun's translation, hissed when Go Gi-jin laughed.
[Even Strong Big Brother might lose!]
[Yeah. Those things are way bigger than him.]
Lee Jun relayed it, and Go Gi-jin's laughter only grew.
"Big Brother, they really never seen cows before? How'd they know all that without meetin' 'em?"
"You guys ever seen cows before?"
[Nope!]
[Never!]
The cats declared proudly.
"Wanna go check 'em out then?"
Kyaooong!
Hiss!
The cats bared their teeth in snarls.
Lee Jun gave them a grin before asking Go Gi-jin,
"Is that pasture free-range?"
"Yep, free-range it is."
"Like Daegwalleong—grazin' straight from May to October?"
"That's right."
"Makes sense. They'll head into the barns soon, huh?"
"Probably. Daegwalleong pulls 'em in by October, but here it can stretch a bit later."
"Looks great. Hope more places like this pop up."
"Wouldn't that be nice? Lettin' 'em roam free boosts their immunity for sure. Saw a paper sayin' white blood cells go up 20%."
"20%? Impressive."
Lee Jun's eyes widened—his large animal knowledge topped out at undergrad basics.
"Yep. And breedin' rates jump about 15% too."
"Makes sense—they get exercise, tons of sun, and fresh pasture grass all spring and summer instead of hay. Environment and feed are key, huh."
"You got it. Big Brother, you ain't never seen 'em let out from the barns into the pasture, right?"
"Nope."
"Winter in tight barns, then bolting out to the fields—it's a real spectacle. Oh, I'll show ya soon. Got it recorded."
As Go Gi-jin spoke, Lee Jun recalled the Our Yard dogs' first joyful dash from the shelter.
*Bet they're even happier.*
"Dunno if that fella's doin' alright. The juniors say he is, though."
"Taesan?"
Go Gi-jin loved showing off photos of the Border Collie Taesan to Lee Jun and Jang So-ra whenever he got the chance.
"Yeah, Taesan. That rascal likes me somethin' fierce. Bet he's stickin' his head out waitin' for me right now."
Go Gi-jin beamed at the mention of Taesan.
"Miss him, huh?"
"Heh heh, you know it. Real bad. Oh, he'll have a blast with that rascal and Sapsari."
Go Gi-jin pulled over, parked by the road, and called the ranch for permission to visit.
Soon after, as Lee Jun's group arrived at the ranch, a dark dust cloud rolled toward them from afar.
It was the Border Collie Taesan that Go Gi-jin had mentioned.
The closer he got, the more his striking looks came into view.
A black streak ran down the center of his forehead like a perfect part, flowing to both ears, with white fur widening out to form a snowy muzzle.
Right in the middle: a shiny black nose like a tire.
*Just like Kongdori's nose.*
Lee Jun felt an instant fondness for Taesan's Kongdori-like nose.
Sapsari did too.
[Hehe, that cool Big Brother's nose is just like Kongdori Super Big Brother's nose!]
"You rascal!"
Lee Jun petted Sapsari as he watched Taesan charge over.
The white fur on his face extended down his neck and front legs, with white on the hind legs too. His glossy black back fur fluttered as he ran.
"Taesan~!"
Go Gi-jin bolted toward him too, scooping up Taesan mid-stride.
"Uherherher, Taesan, you rascal, been good?"
Woof woof woof!
[Krrroo! Big Brother, I missed you!]
Hugged tight by Go Gi-jin, Taesan rubbed his head against Go Gi-jin's chest, pouring out his longing with his whole body.
"Yeah, yeah. Missed ya too."
Go Gi-jin's big hands roamed over Taesan's head, back, neck—everywhere.
Lee Jun chuckled at the sight.
"Looks just like Manager Jang cuddlin' Shadow."
They matched so perfectly.
Go Gi-jin and Taesan stayed like that for a good while.
Finally, having vented his joy, Taesan took the huge bully stick from Go Gi-jin and bounced around.
[Whoa! It's huge. Smells so good!]
Seeing that, Sapsari grabbed his own stick and trotted over.
Plop! He dropped it in front of Taesan.
[Eat it!]
[F-for me?]
[Yep. Strong Big Brother's friend is my friend.]
Right? Sapsari shot Go Gi-jin a look that said as much.
"Kherher, Taesan, give these folks the grand tour of the ranch."
Taesan tilted his head curiously, so Lee Jun explained.
"Your favorite Big Brother wants you to show 'em around your home."
Taesan's eyes widened at Lee Jun.
Then Sapsari piped up.
[He's our Benevolent Big Brother. He talks to us!]
Krrrooong!
Eyes like saucers, Taesan reacted like any other animal before vanishing into the distance with Sapsari.
But the cats stayed hunkered on Lee Jun's shoulders, not budging.
"Sheesh, what're y'all doin' still sittin' there? Go play."
The cats dug their toes in and hunkered down tighter.
Lee Jun petted them as he said,
"They're scared of the cows."
Nods nods!
The cats nodded furiously, and Go Gi-jin grinned.
"Well, they are big. Fair enough. But these ones are gentle. Play great with the little ones."
"Little ones?"
"The ranch owner's a cat lover. Ah, ya saw—he was thrilled with y'all."
"Yeah, he was."
The ranch owner had welcomed Lee Jun's group warmly.
Especially with Gray and Shadow, he'd gushed about how cute and cool they were nonstop.
Even asked to take fan photos, claiming to be their fan.
"Plenty of cats livin' here too."
"Prime spot for it."
"Yep. Great place. Owner stocks feed for 'em, builds good shelters for winter."
"Nice guy."
"Anyway, cats are everywhere ya look. But never heard of one gettin' hurt by the cows."
"Really?"
Lee Jun told the cats, who perked up with curiosity.
[Big Brother, for real? Those giants ain't scary?]
"Yeah. They're good kids."
The cats trusted Lee Jun implicitly.
[Then we'll check it out.]
[Me too.]
The cats headed for the herd.
"Still, be careful. Even if they're nice like you said, they're strong. Especially those back hooves—get kicked and you're done."
[We'll be careful.]
[Got it. But you stay behind us, Big Brother.]
[Yeah! If they attack, we'll block 'em.]
The cats gave him determined looks.
Too adorable—Lee Jun nodded along with their resolve.
"Alright, thanks."
Suppressing a laugh, he followed behind.
From the cows' perspective, Gray and Shadow were intruders, nice or not.
But Lee Jun's worries proved unfounded—the cats bonded with the cows in no time.
Swish, swish, swish.
Gray rode a cow's back, waving his front paws.
Thud, thump thump, thump thump thump.
Shadow hopped on too, drumming the cow's back with his paws.
"Mommy, what're those fellas doin' right now!"
Go Gi-jin turned to Lee Jun.
"Big Brother, they chasin' flies off the cows or somethin'?"
That was when—
The cows carrying Gray and Shadow half-closed their eyes and let out long moos.
Moooooh!
Lee Jun smiled warmly at the cows as he answered.
"That's what they say."
"Mommy! Ain't that somethin'. How'd they hit it off so fast? Saw the spark with the seals, but still..."
"They're all good-natured."
Answering Go Gi-jin, Lee Jun watched Sapsari and Taesan chase something in the distance.
*Looks like they're herdin'...?*
As Lee Jun tilted his head at the panting dogs racing over, Sapsari barked loudly.
[Uh... Benevolent Big Brother! Big trouble!]
[A c-calf fell down!]
