The Degree
Theft Tragedy

Ray was on the train and headed to where Terumi was. He was lucky to escape the cost of bills left by Ben and Indri.

However, Ray did not choose to run away without paying or washing dishes. He was indeed short of money to pay for it, but the two choices were not chosen.

Ray took the third option, asking others for help.

“Thank you for helping me. Otherwise, maybe I end up being beaten up or become an impromptu employee.”

“Ha ha ha, even you can also end up careless like this, huh? I don't expect you to forget to bring stuff as important as that and a credit card.”

Ray is not used to paying for his own things, before he destroys his father's facility and goes to the outside world, Ray has never gone alone. At best he would go to a certain place like a learning institute.

Even after leaving the facility, Ray didn't do much to use the money. It is not uncommon for him to travel without carrying a lot.

“I'm still a regular human being. There are many things I sometimes miss because I don't have that habit, Roid.”

The person who helped him was Roid Floch, a Russian man who also had blood from the US. Ray met him four months ago after a duel with the group at stake.

“At first I thought you were a versatile man,” said Roid. “You can beat me who is a professional and supported Degree in the ring. I think you're a monster who can do everything.”

The battle between the two was fierce, Ray was even battered by Roid because of his very capable ability in that regard. Even the pessimist Ray himself would lose initially, but in the end he won.

“I'm sure you're holding back and not relying on Degree. If you were really serious back then, there should be no way for me to do KO.”

Roid only laughed dryly because her secret had been known to Ray.

“Knowledge, yes? To be honest I underestimated you at first because you don't look like a martial artist. Therefore I decided not to use Degree but in fact it was a blunder from me.”

Roid could certainly assume the deal to acquire the group never existed, but it was unexpected that he was the man who held his word.

Ray was quite grateful that Roid underestimated him, otherwise the current Ray would be his subordinate.

There was a reason why Ray wanted to recruit Roid, it was because his name was also listed on Ryouma's giving note. Roid Floch, a man who is skilled in physical combat and arguably he is invincible in the field that he mastered with the help of his Degree.

Really, I don't know how many times Ray felt grateful because Roid did not utilize his Degree at that time so Ray is likely to win against him. Even so, he was indeed a formidable opponent. I don't know how many times Ray almost dropped by him in that fight.

“If you look again, I don't think it's a bad thing to join you. I'm happy because it seems the fuckers have been more alive since we joined.”

There are many members that Roid has, even when meeting with those Degree users, most of them are muscle brains. These are people who live with violence.

When Roid gets to know those people in the Open World and Asgardian, they're like stray dogs that would mess up if released.

But now there is a significant difference since Roid and his friends know Ray.

“People fail to have a future. I didn't do anything, maybe because Terumi and that guy had a big role taming that stray dog.”

Ray doesn't feel like he's done anything to her, everything is overcome by Terumi, Erina and the others. Thanks to that somehow they became an idol in the large group they built.

“You're right. Despite all that, I'm grateful we finished it between the two of us.”

Ray smiled thinly and snorted, “Ya. I totally agree about this.”

If only the two chose to rule the group in a rough way, then a huge battle that cost the lives would break out. I don't know how big the impact is but lucky the two can negotiate and finish in the ring.

Both of them were silent and waiting until the station, but suddenly the people inside the train became noisier because of something.

“See there!”

“What happened? Could it be fire?”

“The sauce is really black.”

“It ... isn't the direction from monas?”

Ray and Roid stared at the place that everyone was concerned about. There are many possibilities that can happen, but both have similar thoughts.

“What is possible ... for Degree users?” asked Roid with a dumbfounded face.

Ray himself is not sure about that, but there is reasonable speculation.

“I think so. There aren't many crazy people who carry out such attacks. Even if it's not a Degree user, chances are ******.”

******* is most likely to be the mastermind of the attack other than Degree users. Crime in this country is not much of a large scale considering the possession of firearms is so difficult and not even a lot of smuggling.

If it was related to firearms and others, then it was most likely a Degree user.

“What should we do? Do you want to go there?” tanta Roid calmly looked at Ray.

On the other hand Ray also looked at him and showed a smile calmly, “Do you think?”

Surely Roid understands that, the two may be different people, but have some similarities in some things including now. In the end, Roid smiled and confidently delivered:

“It's been a while since my adrenaline hasn't spurred. Let's see the mess.”

Both agreed to go that way. It takes a short time to get there considering the highway starts to close.

Ray and Roid eventually decide to scuttle the electric cyclist and give him some cash.

“You are very kind to give him money,” said Ray, wearing a face mask and riding a bicycle.

“I don't want to be a fugitive because of a theft like this. Well, you could say this is a handling step.”

Ray doesn't really care but he doesn't intend to debate Roid's decision which isn't entirely wrong because it's his money, it's his right to use it for what.

As they began to talk about the actions that would be done upon arrival, the watch on the hand rang. There is only one thing that makes it happen, namely the emergence of tasks.

— May participate in this task and may not.—

—Participants will get a certain number of Degrees. Amount will be accumulated after emergency duty ends.—

—Go to monas and participate in the ongoing monas gold theft tragedy.—

—There are no consequences from us about this task but it does not include from outside our zone.—

—Participants who successfully muffle and prevent clutter will be given a special gift.—

—Participants who managed to survive and steal gold monas will be given a special gift.—

—Gifts shared with people participating.—

The notice was certainly shocking because the incident was in the location where Ray was headed.

“This is a big criminal .. as expected, Degree users are the masterminds of all this,” said Ray.

“Yes, I wonder what kind of madman did it,” Roid furrowed her brows unhappily. “Isn't this the same as declaring war against the country?”

Gold at the top of the monas has a long history with it and is also a tribute to the warriors in the time of defending independence.

The monument is arguably very valuable for the country and also the identity of the city of Jakarta. A precious treasure of the state, anyone who dares to steal it is the same as a declaration of war against the state.

“Despite that I was wondering why Secret made such an ambiguous rule,”, Ray said as he read the message. “This task seems to support the prevention of stealing gold, but also supports the theft successfully.”

Secret made it clear that they had three choices to make. The first option is to be absent without participating in it, while the other two options are to help the theft or stop it.

“This is so confusing,” Roid scratched his head in annoyance. “What will we do, Ray?” ask Roid.

Ray thoughtlessly and immediately made a clear statement. “We've been to the location, it's not logical for me personally to spin around and not participate.”

“Well, you have a point. After all, sooner or later the great battle of the Degree users should be doomed. In that case, to whom will we side?”

That was the case, Ray still had a clear debate in his mind about which side he would support.

To steal or not, Secret will eventually give them a gift that is not known what it is.

But one thing is clear here. If they help the heist succeed, at least Ray is sure to get a share of the gold itself or from the sale.

Even so no matter whether you support or not, both will have their own risks. Ray cannot make his decision. In addition, Ray also threw away the option of not participating because he did not want to regret if the gift offered by Secret something profitable.

“Well, I'm not sure I can make his decision now,” Ray said.

It made Roid dumbfounded and a little upset, “What? So we go for no apparent reason will support or not?”

“That's. I plan on taking action after seeing the situation. Depending on how the situation is, we might support the theft.”

Roid understood that they could not take sides before knowing the situation on the ground. Suppose they immediately choose to support theft but it is unexpected that the state is far superior, then they are suicide. Of course, that also applies to the opposite.

“You have a point, but somehow I have a strong belief there will be many who support theft. Humans are still human, they will leave good for treasure.”

Lying if Roid says he is not interested in the gold, if to be honest, for him to support the theft is more profitable than trying to stop it.

With those who are required to maintain the confidentiality of the Degree, then they will not be able to appear just like that when helping the government stop the theft.

In addition, there is no guarantee that the government will accept the help of foreigners like them. It would be hard to give a hand to stop the theft.

“I'm not sure about that. From my point of view it is likely that the two balanced parties— does not. It is possible that the country side is more benefited.”

Other than the strong armaments and military support, thefts were carried out within the country, there was no way they would be able to release these criminals easily.

Theft itself is impossible because there is no way for them to get out alive. Even so, it was a pity that these thieves were Degree users. Which is impossible can be impossible.

“What makes you so sure if the country is superior to the thieves who are also Degree users?” roid asked because he still didn't take Ray's intentions.

Among the many people Ray knew, there was only one person who had a strong idealism to help him the crowd. A man who really doesn't fit in with Secret's environment, a man who probably has an overwhelming hatred for Ray right now.

“You however in a big situation like this, the hero will always be present to solve it and protect many people's lives in his own way.”

“You mean?” Roid began to understand what Ray was trying to convey. Among Degree users, only one person is close to the word ‘Hero’.

“Yes, however I am very confident, our main protagonist will side with the country and prevent this theft. He is Retsuji Arthur.”

Ray does not know Arthur deeply, but it is easy to understand his character who has strong idealism and extraordinary help. The man with the absurd Degree who made him have the maximum luck also plots the armor of bad destiny.

“I've heard of him, even I saw his feud with you. He's the bastard who shot a girl dead and ran away. But even if he helps and is on the side of the country, I'm not sure his Degree is really powerful to affect everything.”

If the Degree can really do that, then Secret can be said to be a god who creates a tool to fight the predetermined human destiny.

“Everything must be different from when we were in Asgardian. I don't know what that bastard did these past six months, keep in mind that he's not a person to ignore.”

Half an hour's drive for them to get to the scene, although they have not yet reached the center of the chaos but there are gunfights everywhere.

Ray can also find military police on standby in various places while evacuating many people. Among the people who were evacuated, some used the same clock as Ray. It is very clear that Degree users have infiltrated civilians. It's just that taj knows what their position is. Support, oppose, or not both.

“It seems difficult for us to go in and see the source of his mess. Evacuations have been carried out and the police are clearly emptying the area a few kilometers ahead,”, Roid said while observing the situation. “What should we do?”

Ray looked around and thought about a few things until he came up with an idea.

“We will infiltrate, I have a plan, come here.”

Ray started to whisper his plan, Roid of course listened carefully. Although he felt that the plan was quite rough but there was no other choice.