I was a Show Cow Now I'm a Vtuber!?

Chapter 1: The Champion Show Cow

"This way, Sweetie."

The farmer's familiar voice was soft, steady, and warm, the kind of voice that Sweetie trusted with all her heart. He always said her name gently, as though it were a word too delicate to speak too loudly. She followed him into the large barn, her silver bell chiming faintly with each step. Inside, a few of her barn mates were already waiting, their contented mooing filling the cozy space.

Sweetie was special—she knew that. She was the only one with a pretty silver cowbell, a treasure that the farmer had tied around her neck when she had won her first show. A pink bow adorned the end of her tail, swishing gently as she walked, a mark of her status. Sweetie wasn't just a cow. She was a three-time champion. For her, this barn was more than shelter; it was the winner's circle, where only the best of the best could stay.

The farmer smiled at her, patting her side affectionately. Sweetie mooed back, her soft voice filled with warmth. She wasn't just mooing—she was trying to say thank you. If only he could understand her.

After the farmer left, Sweetie moved toward the wall, her hooves clopping softly against the polished floor. Her eyes scanned the rows of framed photographs that hung proudly along the barn's longest wall. Each photo featured a cow, ears forward and eyes shining, their names etched in gold plaques beneath their images.

She paused at an empty spot, tilting her head. "One day, that'll be me," she thought, imagining her own photo hanging there alongside the others. Sweetie had earned her place among them—she was sure of it.

The next morning, Sweetie's silver bell chimed brightly as the farmer opened her stall. "Come on, Sweetie," he said, leading her out into the cool morning air. The dew on the grass sparkled like tiny diamonds, and Sweetie's heart swelled with happiness as the familiar sights and sounds of the farm surrounded her.

She followed him to the special grazing patch where the grass was always greener, sweeter, and softer. Sweetie's ears perked up in recognition. Showtime grass, she thought with a flick of her tail. It was the farmer's way of letting her know the big fair was coming up. Sweetie couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. She was ready to shine again.

"Well, if I've been given permission..." she mused, lowering her head to graze. The grass was irresistible, its sweetness filling her senses with delight. She nibbled happily, savoring each bite.

But as the minutes passed, her curiosity got the better of her. The riverbank wasn't far from the grazing patch, and the sound of the rushing water called to her. Sweetie knew the farmer always warned her to stay away, but the temptation was too great. Just one little peek, she thought, edging closer to the bank.

The ground beneath her hooves grew softer, and wetter, but Sweetie was too distracted to notice. She leaned forward, her reflection rippling in the cool water, and gave a curious moo.

Suddenly, the earth gave way beneath her.

Sweetie's hooves scrambled for purchase, but the soft mud offered no support. "Moooo!" she cried as she slipped into the river, the icy water rushing over her.

"Sweetie!" the farmer's voice rang out, but it was too late. The current was swift, pulling her away from the shore. Her bell chimed frantically as she fought to keep her head above the water. She called out again, hoping the farmer could somehow reach her, but his voice grew fainter as the river swept her farther and farther away.

Sweetie's strength began to fade. The current pulled her under, and darkness enveloped her. Her last thought was of the barn, the farmer's gentle voice, and the empty spot on the wall where her photo would never hang.

When Sweetie finally regained consciousness, she opened her eyes to an unfamiliar sky. It was a soft lavender, streaked with golden hues that didn't belong to any sunrise she'd ever known. The air smelled sweet, like wildflowers and freshly tilled soil, and the ground beneath her wasn't the slick river mud she had expected but soft, lush grass.

Sweetie tried to stand, her legs trembling beneath her. She looked around, her heart pounding. Where am I? she thought.

Then, something strange happened.

"System opening..."

A translucent blue screen flickered into existence in front of her, hovering midair. Sweetie stared at it, her ears flicking nervously. The glow of the screen cast an eerie light over the grass at her hooves.

"Updating transfer..." The smooth, cheerful voice filled her mind, clear and direct. "System Sweetie Farms updated. Welcome to your new life, Sweetie!"

New life? Sweetie blinked, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of the words. Around her, the vast fields stretched endlessly, dotted with occasional patches of wildflowers. The gentle hum of the breeze and the rustle of the tall grass were the only sounds.

The screen pulsed again, displaying more text:

New Life Update: Task Assigned.

Task? Sweetie tilted her head, confused. The words shimmered as they appeared:

Objective 1: Explore your surroundings.

Her silver bell chimed faintly, as if reacting to the screen. Sweetie frowned. "Explore?" she said aloud. "Explore what? Where am I supposed to go?"

Before she could think further, another message appeared:

Warning: Task must be completed within 24 hours. Failure to comply will result in consequence.

A chill ran down Sweetie's spine. Consequence? The thought made her uneasy, but she knew she had no choice. Whatever this place was, she had to figure it out—and quickly.

Sweetie took a cautious step forward, her hooves sinking into the soft grass. She glanced around, the vast emptiness of the field both beautiful and unnerving. "Alright, Sweetie," she muttered to herself. "Let's get this over with."

As she began to walk, her bell chiming softly, Sweetie couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was watching her.

After some time, Sweetie noticed something in the distance—a structure, half-hidden by overgrown grass and tall, twisted trees. Curious, she quickened her pace, her hooves kicking up the dirt as she approached. The shape became clearer: a barn. But it was old. Cracked wooden beams and a sagging roof, its once red paint peeling away in long strips, had turned an eerie shade of brown-gray. The barn looked like it hadn't been touched in years, maybe longer.

Sweetie paused at the edge of the overgrown yard, her eyes scanning the broken-down structure. A farm...? But it wasn't like hers. Her farm had been well-kept, vibrant, with the scent of fresh hay and the comforting sounds of other animals. This place felt... wrong. It was as if time had passed it by entirely.

A deep, unsettling feeling settled over her as she stepped closer. Her hoof kicked a small rock, sending it tumbling into the long grass. The silence seemed to deepen, stretching the moment out longer than it should have been. Sweetie hesitated, then took another step.

The barn's doors creaked as they swung open, barely hanging on their rusted hinges. She peered inside. The interior was dark, dust hanging in the air like a veil. Old hay bales lay scattered, some crushed under the weight of time, others still mostly intact. A few rusty farming tools were left behind, some half-buried in the dirt. A faint, musty smell filled the air, making Sweetie wrinkle her nose.

But what really caught her eye was the faint glimmer of something shining near the back wall of the barn. Sweetie's instincts tugged at her—there was something important in there, something worth investigating.

As she stepped further inside, her hooves disturbed the dust on the floor. The sound echoed eerily, filling the barn with a hollow emptiness. The air felt heavy, as though the place itself was holding its breath.

Suddenly, a low, distant hum filled the air. The screen in front of Sweetie flickered to life again, its blue glow casting a cold light across the barn.

Objective Update: Continue exploring.