The Degree
Second Resistance III

“Basic coward! Can you do this?!” Steve took a heavy step and headed towards Ray.

Steve intended to reach for his neck but Ray nimbly and firmly deflected Steve's hand.

“I can manage the poison as I please. Even now I can kill you with him.”

“Then do it! I don't care if I have to lose my life as long as I can beat you!”

“You may not but what about your friends? You don't care what happens to them?”

Steve looked at Edward and the others. Especially Nadia who looks so anxious while holding her injured neck.

Is correct. If I choose to die here then they will be sad. Far from anything I don't want them to suffer more than this. Think Steve.

“I don't care if you want to keep going. Anyway I'll keep standing till the end.”

Ray doesn't care if he has to lose one or two of Edward's lives but for the current situation he doesn't want it.

If it has to disappear at least it happens when all this is done. Everything would be a disaster if Steve chose to die right now.

“Cih! You're the biggest loser I've ever met!” Steve gave up and cursed while spitting.

Loser, coward, sneaky to lowly. Whatever nickname Ray will receive will not change his goal of standing at the top.

“Jadi ... will we do it now?” Edward tried to melt the atmosphere by clapping his hands and diverting the situation.

“More wasted time will be more likely we are wasted into the abyss. As I said before, I will take the most dangerous place that is the sixth person.”

But unwillingly, he had to do it. There are some things that might happen if Ray takes a position outside the sixth person.

Discussions between Edward and his colleagues began without letting Ray join.

It felt quite sad because it was like a person who was ignored among the crowd of people.

It was enough for a few minutes for them to finish the discussion. It's been decided that Steve will be the first man, followed by the girls and Ray at the end.

“Remember that our turnaround time is only three seconds. When five of you have reached the cube, move quickly or everything will fall.”

This is the biggest bet of Ray's life. It is possible that Edward and his group intentionally slowed down so that Ray ran out of footing or pushed at the last moment.

“Be careful, Steve!”

Staring at the cube in front of him Steve was slightly restrained for some time before venturing out to jump.

His first move was good and he arrived at the first cube safely. The originally blue cubes turned green when stepped on.

Even so he still had to make the next jump which became a crucial stage.

“Jane, whatever happens stay calm. If you act recklessly not only yourself but Steve will also be in trouble.” Edward held Jane's shoulder with a worried look.

Jane nodded and smiled awkwardly, “Ya. I will definitely do it as best I can. Pray for me.”

Finishing the exchange between her and Edward, Jane took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

He opened his eyes and looked at Steve then nodded with confidence.

Steve jumped into the second cube. The first cube begins to lose its green color and will be replaced with red.

But when the time is almost up Jane jumps and returns to return the color to green.

“That's true .. it takes three seconds for it to change color.” Edward muttered as he stared at the petrified silent Ray.

“I succeeded!” Jane looks happy as if she has made a great achievement in her life.

“Don't be happy first, there are still many jumps you have to take.”

Ray did not want them to be lulled by the small jump. If you have to, do it when you get through it.

Ray discovers that everyone is busy through their own obstacles.

The odd thing is the fact that no one has taken the cube obstacle apart from Ray and Edward's group.

—Someone managed to occupy the seat. (4/6)—

Their clocks were ringing at the same time. Ray was slightly stunned and looked at the chair at the end of the spacious room.

A man wearing a mask sat panting. His body and clothes were covered with blood.

His appearance was enough to explain that he had killed at least a few people to reach the chair.

But the timing is not right. Not good for Edward and the others.

With two seats remaining would cause Edward and the others to be even more hasty.

No one knows what will happen if all the seats are fully filled.

“What should we do? If it continues like this we will be eliminated ..” Diana closed her mouth in disbelief and looked at Edward.

“Do not panic or rush. Panic won't change anything, therefore we'd better hurry.”

Hearing Edward's words made things calm again.

It seems that Ray doesn't have to worry about them making a stupid move.

Diana's turn to jump. Steve jumps to cube three, Jane two and Diana cube one.

They did well so there was no mistake.

As expected of a group that has been around since before they got the Degree.

The time has come for Edward and Jack, both of whom have no doubt because they are so capable.

Five cubes were already filled and the most alarming part arrived.

Ray never felt that tense in his lifetime.

Although not the first time Ray had to be faced with a life and death situation, it still feels terrible.

Adrenalin spurred and in rare occasions Ray showed a smile.

He has a strange habit where when feeling tense and pounding his lips will form a smile accompanied by an amused heart.

“Why are you smiling?” Edward looks worried because Ray may have a sinister plan.

“No. It's just my habit of being nervous or in situations where my life might disappear. Pleasant leafan for this amused heart.”

“I don't know if I should take it masochistically or you love adrenaline like this. Well, a little bit I understand.”

Edward was a martial expert even without a Degree. Those who often face the fight will be boosted adrenaline if faced with strong opponents that allow defeat.

“Will I warn. Carelessness, accidentally slowing down on the way will cause dangerous hindquarters. These are just words, if you do then I will not hesitate to drag anyone in front of me to hell.”

If Steve or the others had intentionally slowed down for Ray to fall. Then when the time comes Ray will attract whoever is in front of him.

“Although you are only bluffing but seeing your attitude that has no qualms makes your words dangerous.” Edward breathed a rough sigh.

Had Steve or his other friend done the act then Edward would have been the one to be dragged by Ray.

“It looks like you already guessed that I would be the fifth person. My friends wouldn't do anything stupid if it could make me fall.” For the first time Edward actually shows his hatred for Ray.

It was indeed a fact that the core of the small group was Edward.