The Degree
New Round

Ray had been asleep for nearly six hours and when he woke up the puzzle that became the test was still there. There is no time limit to answer.

Even so Ray remembered very well the words of Secret that if anyone deliberately restrained himself for a very long time then he would automatically be eliminated.

”It looks like if hold not up to one day there will be no problem.”

Ray believed that. If he held back just to rest then there was no problem at all.

After all, even though the Degree is extraordinary, its ability does not make humans until they no longer need sleep.

There is no such miracle in this world unless man has come to the stage of replacing the body with a machine.

“My condition is not exactly healthy but it is much better than before.”

The wounds he had would not heal in a short time despite the possibility of the Degree helping his body recover faster.

With DP remaining Ray buys some stuff like an extra bullet and a knife. For this time also Ray was on guard and bought a bulletproof vest.

It is likely that it is not just him who uses a gun.

“Now let's answer the puzzle.”

The answer is pretty easy. Near but never met, when met will be first and last. The key sentence of the puzzle is in the sentence "Life".

The greatest fear man has of something he has never met but will surely find is only one answer.

“The answer is ... death.”

Man is always close to death but never meets him. If man meets his death then it is the end.

Sooner or later all men will meet their own death. Whether it was tragic or not, no one knew it.

Ray is an agnostic, he does not believe in a higher existence than humans before there is any proof of his existence.

Even so Ray put a little confidence that there will be another life after death. Whether it was heaven or hell, it might even be reborn into a completely new person.

—Fourth task successfully completed.—

—Next you will be sent to task to five.—

—Please fill in your identity to create Name Card.—

—His confidentiality we will keep. There is no way anyone gets personal data except through you directly.—

—We won't reveal it. Fill in your real self data.—

Ray was surprised because there was another term he just found out. It seemed that the fifth task was a truly special place.

“The problem is not in his Name Card, but Degree ..”

In addition to name, height, age and origin. Ray is also required to notify the Degree he has.

Although maybe Secret will not say anything or will experience data leakage but from the message given someone will be able to see his Degree through this Name Card.

“It does not matter if it is in the form of digital data, but it will be difficult if the Name Card is physical.”

In digital form Ray has several ways to protect it but if it is physical there will be a big risk of loss.

“What can I do .. I have to answer it.”

Ray filled his data casually but when it was time to write down the Degree he had, Ray hesitated for a few minutes until he finally gave up and sighed.

“It appears that this trial has not really started.”

The fact that Secret just decided to get participants to open his Degree is strong evidence.

All the obstacles that Ray has passed to date are just the beginning or can be called warming up.

A very cliche situation where when he reached the light there would be an amazing sight that he would encounter.

Ray doesn't have much to expect about him but at least he's a little bit hopeful about that.

—Name Card has been completed. Protect your data as best you can.—

The clock is ringing again. Ray took the time to stop and check it out.

Fortunately the Name Card in question is in the form of a digital that will appear through the clock like a hologram.

Ray's concerns about his Degree identity being revealed seem unnecessary.

Even so Secret has vaguely said that others could see it should Ray allow it.

“Antara me who deliberately showed it, or others who secretly access it when I was unconscious. It could also be that someone forcibly opened it. Only such means are possible.”

Ray did not need to remind himself of how worried the existence of the Name Card was because this time he could not brag about the Degree like before.

“I have to think of a better way to use someone later.”

Let's think about it later after Ray sees what he'll meet up ahead there.

Returning to continue his journey, Ray's vision blurred even more because of the bright light in front of him.

Ray began to feel a warmth that he longed for, a warm wind pierced his skin and a scent that he hadn't breathed in through his nose.

His vision was still blurred for a minute until it was time for Ray to open his eyes.

The first thing he saw was the sky. The extremely beautiful blue sky stretched wide.

The second thing he saw was fresh green trees and grass accompanied by people who seemed to come at the same time as him.

“This ... outside world?”

Ray turned his head behind him where there was a door made of concrete, the door he had passed through earlier.

It was exactly as he had suspected that Ray was underground before. But for now the surprising part was the outside world.

“What do they make digital engineering about the outside world? No, the wind and the smell are so real. The grass and soil are also original.”

Ray uprooted the grass and smelled the scent of his soil to ensure its authenticity.

His mind was unable to process some things about Secret. They are truly organizations that act in unpredictable ways.

“You came earlier than I thought.”

The voice of the woman Ray knew pierced through his ears.

So this is what I mean to see you again on the fifth assignment, huh?

Ray had become one hundred percent convinced that his place was now genuine.

“Although so you seem to have been waiting for me.”

“That's. You are my main destination but I also want to meet other beginners.”

“So, huh?”

“Yes. You must still not understand the situation at this time. Come with me and I will explain it to you in detail. I've been wanting to say this to you for a long time ..”

Erina spread out her left hand as her right hand held the clay fan and covered her smiling lips.

“Welcome to Open World.”