The Degree
Eric's Offer

“Can I borrow some of your help?”

“What help?” ask Ray. “I'm not sure I can solve the problem of lovers.”

Ray will not understand the internal problems between the relationship between two people. Even if he understood, the best option was not to interfere into unfavorable affairs.

“I told you she's not my girlfriend. She's my sister.”

Ray was surprised to hear that, “He's your brother, Eric? Your age doesn't look much different.”

Eric smiled wryly. He himself realized that his age was not far adrift with his sister. It is common that people mistake them for lovers instead of brothers.

“Yes, although we are not really bound by blood relations.”

They have different mothers. Eric lost his mother in childbirth while his younger brother lost his father when he was a child. Somehow, his father Eric and the mother of his sister met until finally making a commitment.

Eric and his brother were only one year apart. Although not siblings, their relationship is as close as a sibling in general.

“What can we help you with?” ask Terumi.

Eric began to explain the situation in detail. The problem between the two is tomorrow. Eric's younger brother intends to go alone and no longer wants to be under Eric's protection.

Since entering this place and when having a Degree, his sister began to act arbitrarily and felt strong to fight alone.

Eric would not let that happen. In his initial five tasks, Eric replaced his younger brother to dirty his hands by killing people.

“Chelsea— my sister still does not understand how terrible this place is. I've always kept him from seeing the rottenness of this place. Especially at Open World.”

Eric seems to be sorry for something he can't take back. Ray knows what caused it. From the beginning, all this happened because of his own fault.

“Honestly I said. You are quite stupid.” Ray did not hesitate to convey his sentence, “Don't let him see how terrible this place is a big mistake.”

“You should have assumed that all these trials will not end quickly or only a few stages,” Terumi said, along with describing the fatal mistake made by Eric.

Eric seemed to be struck by those words. He was clearly aware of the mistake that led him to this kind of situation.

“Yes. I know it. But have you ever thought of letting your dear sister know of horrible things like murder and betrayal?”

Terumi and Leo are certainly quiet, they probably know the feelings Eric meant. Just Ray is different. He did not understand such a complicated relationship at all.

Ray is more realistic. Rather than not letting him see the cruel reality of this place, it was better to make him see it. Let him know that this place is not what he had in mind.

“Whatever it is. You want us to do what?” ask Leo, switch the conversation, “I remind you that we can't help you make up.”

Leo. Although Terumi may not agree with it, she chooses silence. In this place they could not be truly benevolent people.

There is no guarantee that all of this may have been designed. If you have to express your opinion whether Ray will help or not. He himself has not yet determined.

“Take it easy. I also do not intend to have too much debt,” Eric certainly aware that his position with Ray and others is an enemy who is in a truce. “My sister, she's planning on catching the killer lately.”

Terumi and Leo were shocked. All this time no one was foolish enough to declare directly to catch him. The reason is simple because the killer died the bodies of his victims horribly.

Even if it was profitable cleaning it at this stage, still it was not an easy job.

“Why would he want to catch a madman like that?” ask Ray.

Eric explains that his brother wants to prove that he is more than capable of facing difficulties alone. By capturing this killer, Eric's younger brother will use the results to get out of his hands.

Of course Eric was against it strongly because the perpetrator of this murder itself was not clear who the person was. Even his tracks are completely unknown. It is impossible to find or arrest such a person.

“My brother won't be able to fight this madman either. Di is confident with his martial arts, but he forgets that in this place he is not the only one special.”

“Everyone has Degree.” Leo knew what Eric meant.

“Degree makes weak people very strong. Talent no longer useful here.” Even Terumi herself understood. He is one of many such people.

“If so, do you intend to ask for our help to catch this killer?” ask Ray.

If so, Ray must consider his request carefully. On the one hand he knows the mastermind of this murder and should not be involved any further. But on the other hand Ray was curious why the man had committed murder.

“No.”

Ray slightly widened his eyes. He didn't think Eric would ask for that.

“I told you that I don't want to make too big a debt,” Eric said. “What I want from you is not to go to the room and wait outside the block where you live.”

It was a strange request but a second later Ray understood his point. Eric's intentions may be vague but it's an effective way. Very effective.

‘This guy is sharp and smart. I don't know from what generation he is but Eric is a valuable person to be a partner,’ thought Ray.

“Waiting outside the block? What's the point for you?” terumi asked, scratching her non-itchy head.

“If we wait outside the block, suppose the killer is in the block where you live. Inevitably you will go to see him because you do not want to be a suspect.”

For example, in the long hallway of block A. Ray stands at the only entrance and exit of the block and ignores the murder and even screams from inside the block. If that happens, people from A who hear will go out to look for the perpetrators of the murder.

Terumi looked surprised, she felt it was a sneaky way to ask for help.

Even so there should be no worries because they have not answered will help.

Eric just smiled as his plan was revealed. It's just that what makes Ray surprised is that this man was not worried at all about his offer being rejected.

“I'll pay you with information. It's about your friend a man named Arthur.”

Ray slightly raised an eyebrow hearing the unexpected name. Whether Eric ever made contact with him or not, Eric is unlikely to offer anything worthless.

“What happened to Arthur? terumi asked, tilting her head.

“I knew him before arriving at this place. We are from the same place.”

Eric reveals unexpected information. It's not surprising that there are people from the same place. But what Eric said next was the most surprising part.

“This is an interesting story. I'm sure you guys want to listen to him,” Eric smiled bitterly as he continued his sentence. “It's about how he killed his own family.”

A story about the past Arthur had. Ray and the others may not be interested in what Eric has to say. Even if the others could ignore him, Ray did not. He cannot miss this opportunity.

In any case, the Degree is also formed from the past and life stories that someone has.

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

“Basic people sucks. Why does he keep banning this and that? I'm not a kid!” A woman walked to the floor in annoyance while cursing.

“I can protect myself, My Degree is also not weak but why does he keep me?!”

This woman was Eric's sister who had previously fought with him. Chelsea name. He was fed up with Eric continuing to ban him and his freedom was snatched away.

Chelsea then went to the cinema and watched a random movie to improve her mood. He chose a special seat at the back. The reason is simple, it's because Chelsea hate it if there's anyone behind it. That makes it very uncomfortable.

The movie was about to start and people started occupying their seats. Chelsea were initially quite surprised as there were quite a number of people watching this movie.

“Either they want to change the mood like me or this is indeed a popular movie.”

Chelsea don't know if it's a popular movie. Perhaps also because today is the last to rest, they make the most of it.

The film begins, from the storyline it seems this is not the first sequel. Chelsea watched it for a quarter of the story. Even if he hasn't guided the first and other sequels, the story is fun and still understandable.

“This is a fantasy story, huh. Sleeping Prince, maybe this is inspired by the sleeping princess,” murmured Chelsea.

“This is an interesting story. The lazy prince unexpectedly carried a great destiny. Especially when he refused the help of an outer god named Rigel's.”

A man beside her replied. Chelsea did not look at him because he did not care even though he was interested in having a small conversation about this film.

“Outdoor god?” ask Chelsea.

“Yes. It seems that the author incorporated characters from other stories he made into his story.”

“So.”

Chelsea finished the conversation. He did not want to talk too much because the film he watched was quite interesting. In fact, Chelsea thought of wanting to watch or at least read his novel from the start.

In the middle of the story enters an interesting part where the world the main character lives in falls into chaos. That was when the origin of the ability of the main character was revealed grandly.

Then it arrives at the end of the story, when the main character disappears to avenge what he has. Until finally after a few years, he went back to see his girl.

“What an amazing story. I'm falling in love with this.” The man returned to express his pleasure. This time, Chelsea agreed.

He did not know the story yet but he was like everyone, crying about the end of the story.

“Yes. I want to know this story from the beginning.” Chelsea wiped her tears.

“Unfortunately that's impossible. This may be the last story we can witness.”

For the first time Chelsea looked directly at the man. He found a handsome man with black hair. Chelsea knew this guy even before coming to this place.

He did not recognize her voice even though it was familiar. Probably because I enjoyed the movie too much.

“What are you doing here?” ask Chelsea.

“Same as you, I came to watch this.” The man answered him indifferently.

Chelsea suspected that it might not be the real intention but this guy knew the story they had just witnessed so it didn't sound like a lie.

“I have an offer for you, Chelsea. Are you interested in joining me?”

Chelsea was suspicious but he was also interested because of what he said.

“What do you want from me, Arthur?”