The Degree
Eliminates

“Yo, we meet again.” Ben who for some unknown reason was wearing pantomime clothes, spoke cheerfully to Ray.

Even if he didn't apply makeup, Ray could see some traces of the powder being missed. He seems to be doing something until he has to dress up.

That person as usual had a great appetite. Even from a distance, Ray could see the man eating a turkey.

Even if the person takes good care of his body. One tail remains excessive portion. There was too much protein coming into his body. Ray was quite interested to know where it all went.

“Come, Ray. There's no harm in talking for a while

Ray remembers the last time he was with this asshole at the restaurant, Ben left a wonderful gift for him - a bill of what this fucker ate.

“I want to do it but I'd better find another table. Especially for myself.” Surely Ray would have turned down a table with him.

He will never have the will to fall in the same hole.

Ben was seen scratching his head with a confused face, the person .. Does he really not remember what he did?

“What's wrong with being on the same table? Previously there was also no problem,” Ben thought a little before finding something in his head. “Are you worried that your friend knows that we are in touch? Take it easy, I'll use the jacket.”

Ray doesn't know if this guy really forgot or just played dumb. If the latter was the conclusion, then there would be no cure to treat his stupidity.

“I don't know if you really forgot or pretended. Last time we were semeja, you left a bon for me.”

Ben gaped in surprise, his mouth not closing for a few seconds before he looked down apologetically.

“Sorry! This is a bad habit I have. I have a strange habit of forgetting such things when my stomach is full. Even in the past I often eat in various restaurants without remembering to give pay”

Ray could hardly believe what this guy was saying. Rather than habit, Ray would probably consider him talented. Eat without paying or letting others pay for it. Not everyone can do it, and only annoying people can do it.

Seeing that this person regretted it, of course, doubted but Ray chose to sit with the bastard. There are things Ray needs to do.

This relates to the outcome of the deal with Virgo. Although Ray conveyed by mouth that he refused and asked for certain conditions. Virgo also vaguely said that he did not mind the condition.

Ray must create a condition where Virgo has the possibility to overcome Mona without Arthur's intervention. Even if the plan is right, Ray will be able to eliminate Arthur.

After ordering a meat sandwich Ray starts a conversation with Ben who devours turkey thighs with two big bites.

“I hate pleasantries. Our conversation some time ago, did you mean it?” asked Ray with a flat face.

Surely he only conveyed it vaguely because there was a possibility that his understanding was wrong. This guy might not be as smart as Ray thought.

“You understand what I mean. Yes, I want to cooperate with you and willing to lend a hand.”

As expected, this person admitted it without making any sign of rejection.

“What is Indri instruction?” ask Ray.

Ben nodded without hesitation. “Yes. The chairman asked me to be an accomplice to help with your plan. I wanted to convey it directly, but on my own selfishness. I purposely just left traces of the previous conversation.”

Ray ignored Ben's last sentence, he was much more interested in other things.

“Plan? What do you mean?” Ray looks confused. “Even I haven't started thinking about what to do.”

“I myself do not understand. But I have seen Indri's ability and there is no reason to doubt him.” Ben kept talking while eating his food.

Even if Ben said that, Ray wasn't very interested. In the end Indri will definitely ask for a reciprocal relationship if Ray wants to know his Degree.

“Yeah, I don't care about that.” Because Ben already knew that Ray had a certain plan, then the conversation will be easier.

“Let's start the discussion. In short, I want to eliminate at least fifty percent of the people in this place.”

...****************...

Arthur is still stuck in the Mall with Mona. Time and again he tried various reasons to escape this shopping hell but the woman was very stubborn.

“The initial plan is to pretend shopping. But who would have guessed Mona shopping is earnest.” Arthur could only sigh deeply.

It's an unlucky fate because Arthur can't change anything that's happened like this.

“Is he still long?” arthur muttered while waiting for Mona to buy her fifth ice cream.

Arthur then recalls his encounter with Ray. That person obviously had something to hide. His attitude was strange and not to mention about the things he said about Erina.

“I've been secretly visiting him. It is true that the woman shut herself up, but it did not reach such a cold stage.”

Arthur once visited him and the response he got was; ‘Go. Don't bother me. You have nothing to do with it. I want to be alone. You are just an outsider’ and various other cold responses.

“Erina should have a strong mentality. She was not a woman who would fall asleep into depression. How could I not be suspicious?”

Still getting a response from her is proof that Erina did not kill herself and is still alive, but Arthur thinks there is something else behind her strange attitude.

“I have to investigate this,” muttered Arthur. “There is a big plan that goes behind the scenes.”

Arthur is not a fool, he knows that this place has a lot of enemies roaming around. Either the ones he had faced head on or the ones that had yet to appear on the surface.

Starting from this stage everything will be more difficult, even Arthur will not be able to choose who is really a friend and not.

“Sorry to keep you waiting a long time, Arthur!” Mona comes with both ice creams in each hand.

One chocolate and the other vanilla. Mona sat down and tasted the vanilla flavor before seeing the chocolate ice cream in the other hand.

“I bought it for you!” Mona cheerfully handed the ice cream in her hands.

“Why give me the ice cream you have licked?” Arthur is certainly troubled because Mona does not give the taste of chocolate that has not been touched, but gives the vanilla that previously licked Mona.

“I'm tired of that taste. So, I chose chocolate only!”

“Huh, as you please,” Arthur gave up on debating. “Mona, from now on don't trust anyone but me.”

Mona who ate the ice cream cheerfully started tilting her head, “Including Terumi and the others?”

Arthur nodded without hesitation, “From now on things will become difficult. Open World really opened my eyes that no one can really trust.”

“What is it that you want us to pretend to shop and buy those things?” ask Mona.

During the tour of the mall they not only buy clothes, more precisely clothes only for disguise. Arthur instead orders something else that Mona doesn't understand will be used for what goods.

“Yes,” Arthur stared intently at something far away. “I'll reveal someone's Degree.”