Chapter 48: Inhuman Monsters.

Struggling to find words to pass his meaning across, he said, "The refined metal bits are valuable because it takes a lot of effort to produce them."

"I mean, if anyone can use any piece of stone as money, no one will value the stones because they are everywhere and easy to get. At least, no one will exchange their hard-earned sheep for some roadside stone."

"Secondly, the bits of metal are valuable because they are in high demand. They can be used to forge various equipment and weapons."

"Plus, Apostles need them for food. So a lot of people need them and are willing to trade things they don’t need for them."

"That’s how money works," he finished, nodding in satisfaction.

"I see. In that case, money won’t be easy to find," the worm said in growing realization.

Alexander groaned inwardly. Then began explaining how to get money and use it to start a farm.

The idea to raise livestock was a spur-of-the-moment thing he did to prove his superior intelligence over the worm’s. But as he explained the advantages of having a farm, he liked the idea more and more.

While the worm and man were having a heart-to-heart, Barnabas finished eating. He’d cleaned his tray of every source of meat. Now he was relaxing by chewing bones. He was behaving like a dog with nice bones.

The green Big Boss saw this and shook his head. Then they stood up and left the table. They walked out of the second floor without saying anything, even though it was clear that they had some opinion about the current situation.

But while the Big Boss could restrain himself and keep his opinions to himself, the Small Bosses weren’t so mature. Without the presence of the Big Boss pressuring them into silence, they let loose.

"Look at the freaks," someone said, eliciting laughter from the Small Bosses around them.

"What kind of abomination are you?" someone asked Barnabas.

Without holding back, Barnabas said, "I am in a bad mood right now and in no mood for whatever this is. If you want to fight, just say so."

"I just ate, but I’m sure I can fit an Apostle in my stomach," he said, patting his stomach.

"What a freak. Talking about eating someone else nonchalantly. You’re truly an Abomination," a red-skinned Small Boss said.

Then the Small Boss sneered and addressed Alexander’s table, saying, "You hear me. You’re all abominations that shouldn’t exist."

Irritated, Robert paused his meal to say, "I am an abomination like you. It is called being a titan."

"You’re freaks too. In fact, we look alike," he said, pointing at his four eyes and pointing at the other person’s face.

"But you eat human flesh," the Small Boss insisted.

"So do you," Robert retorted, frowning. "You eat other titans if your kind to grow stronger, and you eat higher-evolved titans to evolve yourself."

"What’s so different about what we eat compared to what you eat?"

Barnabas also said, "Plus, you eat rocks. At least we eat meat. So we’re the normal ones here."

"The difference between us is that if we lose control, we won’t try to eat everyone in sight," another Small Boss replied, joining in.

But Robert snorted and said, "Tomato, tomato. If you lose control, you will still eat your companions. So you’re a cannibal too."

"The only difference between us is that we have a wider acceptable dietary palate. It is like a kettle calling a pot black."

Both sides couldn’t agree and began arguing. The matter grew passionate, and they raised their voices, calling each other names.

One said, "You’re a bunch of bloodthirsty dogs."

The other said, "Oh yeah? You’re a bunch of dirt eaters."

Robert and Barnabas were very passionate about their argument. Even though Leila was tugging at Robert’s shirt and urging him to calm down, he refused to calm down.

He did try to calm down. But just as he decided to let go of the matter, someone would say something inciting like, "I bet you think about eating humans more than fucking them."

This was true. He did think about eating more than sex. In fact, ever since he became a titan, he had never considered having sex.

All of his sex drive had been converted into constant hunger. Whenever he looked at the opposite sex, their identity as food was always the first thing that came to mind. Next came how to catch them. After that was how to eat them once he caught them.

So this Small Boss hadn’t falsely accused him. The part Robert had a problem with was that every titan was like this. The problem wasn’t particular to flesh titans, and Robert didn’t like it being framed that way.

As someone who was unwilling to be cheated, he couldn’t stand being blamed for something he couldn’t control, and he especially didn’t want someone else in his shoes berating him for it.

Barnabas was also looking for an avenue to vent his frustration. So the back-and-forth didn’t die down. Instead, it continued, eating up the moment.

To be fair, not every Small Boss had a problem with them, and not everyone was calling them freaks. Of the 23 Small Bosses, only 15 argued and called them names. And of the 15, only 3 really had a problem with flesh titans.

The other 12 only joined the argument to have fun. They went along with the group in talking down to the new guys for fun and nothing particularly malicious. But for some reason, those three had a bone to pick.

When the matter escalated to the brink of violence, one of the three stepped forward to confront the flesh titans. But instead of threatening the most vocal ones, the black-skinned boss decided to hit the flesh titan that had been silent all along.

The Small Boss came over to him and slammed the table with his fist as he said, "Hey, freak. Will you stop being a beast for a moment and listen to what I have to say?"