Catherine vaguely remembered that when her mother was still alive, she often told her stories about places beyond Star Plum Town.
That had often made her think her mother was a traveler, as though she had journeyed to every corner of the world.
It was only when she grew up that she realized the person who had brought her mother those stories was actually a bastard who had abandoned his wife and child.
But as a seasoned adventurer, he had indeed met all kinds of people, and his stories had also forced Catherine to admit that some of his opinions were remarkably perceptive—
"The adventurer's world is like a pond. Of course, you can see those noble, upright 'swans' on the surface. Their presence always makes you admire them and dream of becoming like them.
"But they're only conspicuous enough to make you overlook all the nameless 'little fish' hiding in the water, the slippery 'loaches' slithering through the mud, and the 'fleas' that can only hop around in dark corners..."
If the [Meat Worm] just now counted as a "flea," then merely looking at him was enough to inspire irritation and disgust.
His companions, on the other hand, were like loaches.
They crawled through the muddy ground, waiting for an opportunity to strike and never passing up a chance to profit.
"Go to hell! Have you no shame at all? No wonder you're all on the same team—you really do piss in the same pot!"
But not everyone could stomach such underhanded behavior.
There were always a few drunken adventurers who couldn't help pounding the table and saying what they really thought.
"Shut up!"
One of the "loaches" bellowed, trying to drown out the adventurers' indignation.
"I won't shut up! What are you gonna do about it—"
Thud!
A