The Degree
Open World

Ray walks through the same people as if he just arrived at a place called Open World.

The term he had heard in the third assignment before but he never understood what it meant.

Now having reached and seen it directly Ray immediately understood it. I don't know how many times he's seen Ray never ceases to be amazed.

“Is this in the middle of the ocean or somewhere untouched?”

On his way, Ray decided to ask. Erina slightly slowed her pace while wanting to walk side by side with Ray.

While his servant Mein is leading the way somewhere.

“As it stands. I've been in this place for over two years and there's no sign of any planes passing by or communication with the outside world. This place is apparently very hidden because there has never been an incident of outsiders coming to visit.”

In short, only the people who had received the invitation and followed him were in that place. His secrecy was so guarded that the effect was frightening.

“Although there seems to be quite a number of people here.”

Ray looked around with interest. No matter where he looks, there will always be things that make him interested so he will never get tired of staring here and there.

The part that attracted Ray's interest were the people who made stalls and traded. From food to weapons.

There is even a house that seems to be a villa to stay.

“These people have been here just like me, there even seems to be one longer than me.”

Ray stared in surprise, “Don't you ever say that you are the first generation?”

Erina looked back at him and grabbed Ray's chin gently, “Fufu, your face is so sweet when surprised. I really want to have you right now.”

Ray immediately brushed off his hand indifferently, “You did not answer my question.”

“There is no need to rush, after all the tasks will not just appear like before.” Erina closed her lips with her folding fan.

“It seems that the people who are longer here even than me are the subjects of the Degree trial who have failed. They are forced to accept a rudimentary Degree so that they can be said that they are currently disabled humans. Take a good look.”

Ray quietly obeyed him and noticed the satay merchant nearby.

At first glance, nothing seemed strange to him. But if you pay more attention to each sword satay skin it has small thorns that come out.

The thorn will not be able to be seen from far away or if not observed carefully.

Ray observed other traders. Some of his skin became scales, melted even some look to have no bones so need someone else to take care of him.

There are many strange things that common sense cannot accept to happen. Now Ray understands Erina's intentions.

“They are the ones who are the subjects of an experiment against the rudimentary Serum D.”

“That's right,” Erina does not deny Ray's conclusion, “My generation and you have had the perfect Serum D thanks to them. Even so Secret needs data about the Degree because Serum D was successfully refined.”

It is possible that the Degree could be flawed even though the Serum D has been perfect. That's why Secret is doing another test.

“I don't know much difference between first and second generation. But I can confirm that the first generation was not able to make anything artificially. We only have the ability of things that can be done.”

Just as Jack is able to realize the hammer, Diana with scissors and Jane with a pencil. They are able to create objects that are closely related to the Degree and make it happen mysteriously.

“So it means your Degree is like that too, yes.”

“Do the people who received the disabled serum not try to complete the task? Perhaps by completing the task they can get out of this place or get a better serum.”

The thought is natural but if none of the people try it then the reason must be a certain obstacle.

“I've asked the same thing. However it seems that one person will only receive one Serum D. This organization once tried injecting Serum D twice to the same person.”

“What happened after?” Ray was quite interested in the person who received the serum twice.

From the looks of the results obtained is not a good thing.

“People who received the injection twice died miserably. I don't need to explain it but the result is definitely not a good thing to tell.”

I don't know what happened but Ray doesn't want to make it clear. As long as he already knows the fact that someone cannot receive an injection twice then that is enough.

Ray has concerns about people receiving injections twice and inheriting two degrees.

“Then where are we going?” ray asked because he didn't know about Open World at all.

Erina smiled mysteriously which made Ray suspicious about her intentions.

With the exchange she had been making all this time it was quite clear that Erina was a person worthy of vigilance.

“We will go to my residence. It is not good to talk about many things on the way. This conversation will be long because I know you want to know a lot about Open World.”

He understood Ray well. Maybe Erina had guessed that Ray wouldn't do much in a place she didn't know about.

“So, kah.”

“Yes, I will entertain with hospitality, even I am willing to give myself up if you want.” Erina clasped Ray's right hand into her arms.

“It makes me suspicious. Let go of my hand, you make me sultry.”

“That's good because the night will be very cold. What if we play all night?”

“I will reject it for now.”

“That means you will receive it someday?”

“Entahlah. There's a lot of uncertain futures that I'm hoping for.”

“Omong-say about that, I'm curious to say that coming to this place won't bore you. Are you out there feeling bored?”

“You don't need to know. But if you have to explain my life is not like people in general. There were many things that had happened until I arrived at the point where everything was saturated.”

Erina was silent and speechless. Not out of surprise but thinking about the meaning of his words.

“It looks like you've been through things. I have also witnessed various painful things in this life to the point that life is a place filled with pain.”

For some reason Ray agreed with him.

“Yes. This life was a punishment for Adam and Eve. Surely it will contain painful things to feel.”

...[***]...

Arc 1 — Tutorials ... Done it.