Vertical Farms and the Robot Dream
After that, things proceeded smoothly.
The target company was Cheonma Bio Farm, a subsidiary of Cheonma Group—a massive corporation on par with Yukang Group. But unlike them, this place actually came to our house on a weekend. Black horn-rimmed glasses, black suit—the picture-perfect salaryman.
While Sujin sat on the terrace in the yard chatting with the man, I brewed some coffee and brought it out. Yelena, using her unclear status as an excuse, had holed up in her room and refused to come out.
"Aigoo, it's the weekend and here we are bothering you when you should be resting. Sorry about that."
"Nonsense! Not at all! We're just grateful you chose Cheonma Bio Farm!"
"Ahaha, no need to go that far."
"Well, you've probably already looked into it somewhat..."
The man pulled out a tablet PC and explained the projected profitability. The more I watched, the more amazed I was. A computer that runs just with a monitor, no main unit? Incredible.
"So, what do you think, Director?"
The man smiled brightly at Sujin.
"Hmm, looks good. Let's go ahead with the contract."
"Ahahat! Thank you! By the way, you two look so young... to already own land this size. Impressive!"
"Ahem, you think so?"
"Absolutely! Sure, young people partner with us at Cheonma Bio Farm these days, but a plot this big is a first."
"Ahahat."
Sujin let out an awkward laugh and signed the contract—not on paper, but right there on the tablet PC he'd used for the explanation.
"Then, we look forward to working with you."
"Ahaha, same here."
The man fiddled with the button on his suit, bowed politely, and left. Sujin gave him a light wave goodbye.
Only after he was gone did Sujin turn to me.
"Their terms were the best out of everyone."
"Big corporations do have their perks."
"Pffft, enough with the big corporation worship already?"
"Heh."
After signing with Cheonma Bio Farm, we were invited to their directly operated agricultural center. I was a bit worried, to be honest. Big companies are great, but contracts always require caution. Plus, with my common sense frozen in 2002, I had no clue what corporate farming even meant.
"This the place? That agricultural center or whatever."
"Yeah, according to the nav."
We got out of the car and looked around. It was nothing like I'd imagined—not even close.
[Cheonma Bio Farm Overcheon Center.]
I'd pictured vast farmlands for a big corp's ag center, but this felt more like a district packed with office buildings than fields. Neatly paved roads lined with huge skyscrapers on both sides.
Farming... here?
"Whoa, heard they built this new one recently. It's fancy, alright."
"Yeah? You like it?"
I was about to voice my doubts when I caught Sujin's reaction and hesitated.
"...Sujin, this isn't a scam, is it? Farming in a place like this?"
"Ah! You've arrived!"
"!"
This guy was no better. Just as I opened my mouth, the same man from the contract meeting with Sujin appeared to greet us.
"Thank you for coming all this way. Allow me to introduce myself properly once more. I'm Park Jun-tae, Section Chief of Produce C-Team at Cheonma Bio Farm Overcheon Center."
"Hello! I'm Park Sujin. This is my brother, Park Soo-hyeok. Remember him?"
"Hahat, of course."
"Sorry to drag you out on the weekend like this."
"No worries at all. Lots of people these days have side gigs, so weekends are busier."
Sujin exchanged small talk with Section Chief Park Jun-tae. I stood by, staring blankly around—a subtle protest. If this was a scam, I wouldn't let it slide.
"Right this way, then."
But just five minutes after following Section Chief Park Jun-tae, I realized I'd been an idiot.
"Whoa..."
The 20-story building wasn't just any building. The entire structure was farmland. Each floor and section tailored to specific growth environments, cultivating all sorts of crops. Five buildings in total—they must grow every crop under the sun.
I was floored, practically gaping, while Sujin's reaction was simple.
"Hmm, not bad."
"Exactly. In terms of scale, this is the largest center operated by Cheonma Bio Farm. Actually, it's top-tier even among other companies."
Top-tier? So other companies do this too?
What the hell happened in the last 20 years...?
I kept that thought to myself—Sujin might get embarrassed. All I could do was clamp my mouth shut and inspect every corner.
"In Building A, we use heat environment generators to artificially create subtropical climates..."
"Building B handles polar climates..."
"And finally, Building C..."
"We refine seeds from these crops and provide them to our Cheonma Bio Farm subscribers. If you have a desired variety, we even offer customization services for specific traits."
"Hmm, I see."
The info overload went in one ear and out the other. Stuff about supplying 10% of Korea's food, preparing export routes, backed by an overseas parent company so no distribution worries.
"These are the standard crops grown at our Cheonma Bio Farm Overcheon Center."
Standard crops. The center had five buildings total, from what I'd seen.
"What about the other two?"
"Ah, sharp eyes. Still have D and E. E is the shipping warehouse... and D is our otherworld crop research building."
His expression turned serious at the mention of otherworld crops.
"Truth be told, we inspected the otherworld crops you sold, Director."
"Mm."
"They were fresh as if just harvested—our research team can't match that quality."
"Wouldn't expect less."
Of course. We only sold the ones freshly picked.
"We wouldn't dream of asking for your know-how, of course. Unless through formal tech transfer via contract."
"Ahem."
Sujin smacked her lips, looking regretful. She'd mentioned they offered a hefty sum, and she hated passing it up.
"Instead, all future otherworld crops you acquire must be traded exclusively through Cheonma Bio Farm."
"Right, that's the deal."
"Yes. In exchange, we promise full free access to all Cheonma Bio Farm services."
Pretty sweet terms. Free use of everything we'd just toured. Probably why they invited us here today—seeing is believing.
"Well, then..."
Lunchtime now. As I was about to bring up food, a mechanical whirring sound caught my ear.
Clank! Clank!
Looking around, humanoid figures were bustling about the center.
"...What's that?"
"Ah, the prototype of our new 'Do-cheol' model."
Holy crap, robots.
"Previous models could only handle simple commands, but Do-cheol has built-in AI, so it can take complex orders like dealing with a person. Semi-permanent use with just an energy source."
"Oh."
Having seen similar things in my otherworld days, I perked up.
"You can command it like a person?"
"Yes, like giving life to a new being."
Park Jun-tae smiled.
"The details are proprietary, of course."
I was about to pry when he cut me off.
Hoo.
"If you'd like, we can loan you a Do-cheol prototype. It's not available to regular subscribers yet, but for you two, I can get approval."
"Really?"
My eyes widened. I hadn't even licked my lips in longing yet. No idea how useful Do-cheol was, but hey, robots are a guy thing, right?
Ro-bot...!
We had golem-like things in the otherworld, but demons and golems were polar opposites—I could only drool from afar. Here I was, a grown man, calming my inner child.
But if I could play with one now...
"Managing crops must be tough for just two people. It's quite handy as a farmhand."
"Well, we're not exactly short on hands..."
"......"
I want it. At least it didn't seem to transform—that was a relief. A transforming robot and I'd be rolling on the floor begging.
"Shall we take one?"
Sujin whispered, reading my mind. With eyes on us, I nodded subtly.
"Ahem. Mind if we try one out?"
"Of course. One moment..."
Park Jun-tae pulled out his phone, made a call, then excused himself.
I noted it was a different phone from before, but brushed it off. Not the time.
Robot!
A man in his forties acting like this—what a sight. But as they say, men are boys at heart. Any lingering scam suspicions from two hours ago? Poof, gone.
Confirming no one around, Section Chief Park Jun-tae cautiously held the phone to his ear.
"Park Jun-tae speaking."
"Have they arrived safely? Our new clients?"
A sultry feminine voice oozed from the phone. Park Jun-tae, visibly tense, began his report.
"Yes. But only Flame Knight Park Sujin and her brother showed up."
"...Marcoova. What about that woman?"
"For now, she seems to be staying at their home."
"Hmm."
"From what they said, she's helping with their work in exchange for room and board. As a farmhand."
"Hahat. Her, as a farmhand?"
The woman chuckled softly at the unexpected info. It checked out—they'd casually mentioned extra help at home.
"Yes. When I suggested Do-cheol as a hand, they said they weren't short-staffed."
"Hahat. Must be true. Hilarious."
She laughed briefly, then fell silent, thoughtful.
"What about the extra person?"
"I checked. He's Park Sujin's brother, alright. Records show he was reported missing, recently updated."
"...Strange. Awakener, maybe?"
"Haven't confirmed that yet. But they liked Do-cheol, so we're loaning one—with a bug installed..."
"Eh, whatever. No need for that hassle. Just stand by."
"Stand by...?"
"I already baited the hook."
"Ah, yes. Understood, Director Jin."
"Good."
Click. Their conversation ended abruptly.