The Degree
Assignments

“Don't joke! There's no way we want to be trapped here forever!”

“If you knew like this I would never follow him!”

People started to get angry and curse, various reactions could be found. Starting from anger, sadness even calm people like Ray also exist.

Man is cursed to be free. Freedom is something that really describes people. Containing people in one place will not make them satisfied in any aspect.

“We never said that you can't get out of here. There's a way out. It only applies to those who complete the task.”

Everyone was silent again at Secret's words. It is natural that in addition to not accepting the fact they will be caged like birds, there is a strong urge to show off the Degree to the outside world.

They certainly did not think that before Serum D was announced, people who had a Degree would be considered strange and most likely hunted for research materials. When discovering something unusual, humans have no qualms about harming nature or acting inhumane.

“What kind of task?”

“Various kinds. We will deliver your duties through the hours you have used. For the record, the clock can not be released in any way, even if a nuclear hit it the clock will survive.”

A clock with amerta properties, that's another really great invention. Somehow they might find the hardest metal in the world.

“The task we provide is a form of research and to search for the data we want. Whoever completes all the tasks then whatever wish they want will be granted.”

A large gate opened, a long hallway with dim lights illuminated it. Inside were many metal doors run by machines.

“For the first task, you can see in the respective hours.”

Following the instructions given, Ray finds a message that reads:

—Participant number 56. Go to door 99 with the same number of people as you.—

People with the same number of participants, right? It means I'm going to be in a group with someone. Her thought.

Everyone has the same command with different participant numbers and doors. Ray then tries to confirm his number with people he knows.

“My number is 234, door is 344. What about you guys?”

“I'm the same as Leo, it looks like we're going to pair up. What about you, Ray?” Terumi looks troubled and a little hopeful when she sees Ray.

“Looks like we're going to split up, my number is 56 and the door to 99.”

It was quite disappointing to be parting ways with people he knew but Ray was not so bothered about it.

Secret then asked to hurry to finish the first task that had just been instructed.

“There is no time limit for the task. However we will give you a warning, if you guys are too slow to finish, the more difficult the other tasks that will come later.”

They cannot linger in completing available tasks if they do not want their difficulties to increase.

“Then, we parted ways. May we meet again at another chance.” Leo and Terumi went the other way and waved their hands.

“Please take good care of yourself, Ray.” Terumi seemed to have an over-concern.

“Yes. See you.” Ray had no intention of wasting his time and headed for the door where he was directed.

There were already three people standing at door 99, she was a woman and one man. Ray did not know how to open the conversation and just kept a little silence, so the intention.

“Are you in the same room? Introduce, I'm Tyson, my Degree Door Opener.” The man with hair covering his one eye opened the conversation.

“I Misa, Degree-ku Terang.” The woman with blond hair whose left hand held Tyson tightly introduced herself.

Ray waited for the other woman to introduce herself but her face was apathetic and completely distanced herself. His eyes were so sharp that they could hurt and his short hair was well deserved. Noticing Ray's gaze, the woman gave a rude snort reluctantly.

“I Justina.”

“I Ray, greetings know.”

Another disturbing part is that the lovers do not hesitate even to reveal their Degree. There is no harm but Ray will not reveal his because the purpose of the task and Secret itself is still gray.

Together entering the door that turned out to be an elevator, they were immediately taken away somewhere. Ray couldn't be sure if they were down or up, left or right. The elevator was moving too smoothly so it was hard to guess.

Before long the elevator stopped, their clock displayed another mission notification.

—Road to the exit and break the password. Beware, the enemy is everywhere.—

The four of them had the same command. Then the elevator doors opened and what they found was a long, very dark hallway.

“It's darker than night. We will not know what will wait if it forces to walk.”

“Ray true. Misa, can you use your Degree?” Tyson agreed and asked Misa gently.

“Will I try.” Misa reached out her right hand and closed her eyes, her face looked troubled and once she opened her eyes—

“—Degree — Light!”

A bright light emerged from his palm, Misa looked happy because she managed to do it, Tyson did too. Only Ray and Justina reacted flatly.

Whether with Justina, Ray was honestly surprised that it would be that easy to use the Degree, only this time he saw the use of the Degree.

“Let's go.” Misa said cheerfully and passionately led the way.

Following behind him, before long they found a branching road blocked by a wall of red and blue light. The street is also red and blue in each door. The wall gave rise to the inscription that only two people were allowed to enter one street.

“We have to be broken up again, huh? But it seems that depending on which path we choose, the task will be different.” Tyson began to make his assumptions.

Ray secretly agreed. There it is written that the end goal is the same place, different is most likely what they will get from the chosen path.

“What if this is. Ray and I will take the red road, while Misa and Justina will take the other one.”

The cliche moment where the red road always has a dangerous meaning and the logical step is to send two men to overcome it. But that's only if they're in the movie.

“You're stupid, huh? What if we women received something heavy? Without you guys, we might be in danger. Much more precise pairing each other.” Justina for the first time expressed her opinion.

Of course, Ray prefers it, and also the couple is clear. Tyson will go with Misa because the two are lovers.

“Then in exchange, Misa and I will take the red road. You two be careful, yes.”

“Bye!” Misa waved her hand happily.

Ray and Justina fell into silence. They were both awkward types of people, it was not hard to imagine their journey would find silence.

“Please cooperate ..” Reid tried to make conversation but Justina nonchalantly walked onto the blue road.

Ray could only sigh and follow him behind. So far there was no awkwardness until Ray found something out of place, he sped up his pace and pulled Justina's shoulder.

“Do not touch me-!” Justina cursed but Ray cut her off before Justina became angry.

“Look at the road ahead there, there is something odd.”

Suppressing her anger with a displeased face, Justina stared at the thing Ray meant but found nothing, “What do you mean?”

“See in wall corner. So far there is nothing like it, if my assumptions are true it emits invisible light. It is not certain what happens if we touch it but it is better not to risk.”

As the two of them remained silent for about a minute, their watches rang at the same time. A task notification appears in the same format.

—Avoid deadly laser if do not want to cut. Two people one step one movement, more will be sanctioned.—

“What does it mean?” Justina did not really understand the command given.