The Degree
Gathering

Ray entered the basement alone. After all, even so it seems that there are also people who do activities there.

They must have the same goal of completing the task given to them.

People from various guilds entered the same place. Even Ray believed that at least there were people who came from the eastern union.

Although relations with the west were still in a status where little things caused war, it seemed that the dungeon was the only neutral place neither of them could disturb.

“From the basement, this place is quite similar to the Dungeon that is usually in the game.”

Ray had never played the game but he had read and heard such things while in the outside world.

Although he was interested in trying it but it seems that the Market does not provide such an object.

Ray looked carefully at the people who came and went. Some of them came home in ragged clothes and were covered in wounds.

There are also those who look unconscious and must be carried on a stretcher.

“They look pathetic.”

Ray sympathized a little with those people but only got there. Although Ray can provide a little help but unfortunately Ray did not know him at all.

There is no point in loving a stranger or helping him. Ray chose to ignore him and headed to where he was supposed to be.

At that time Ray was confused by the existence of many forked roads. He didn't know where to go. That's because Erina didn't tell me anything and didn't even give me a map.

“This is critical, I don't know which way to choose.”

Because he did not want to arbitrarily choose and ended up pitifully Ray chose to go out with the aim to ask him directly to Erina.

However it seemed that he was no longer in front of the basement gate. It was only natural because in the residence there was a stack of documents that he had to fight against.

“Returning there will take time.”

The distance between the basement and Erina's residence was not close.

Ray doesn't want to do it so he has to make the last choice of asking the people around him.

The reason does not make it an option in the first place because there is a possibility of fraud and false information giving.

In Open World it becomes very possible to find such a person. Even Ray wouldn't be surprised if anyone asked for a reward instead of showing him the way.

“I should be ready to issue DP that is not small.”

Ray sighed tiredly and started asking everyone one by one.

He asked the same question to six people and it was conjectured that they asked for DP instead.

Surely Ray voluntarily gave him twenty DP each, a total of 120 DP out just to inquire.

“Two people say road number two, two others answer nomo one, one answers street number seven, and one other eight. I've guessed all are fraudsters.”

There is a possibility of those who answer honestly but because the comparison is equivalent or lower Ray can not determine it.

Ray sat in the corner doing calculations about which path was right. He thought a man was approaching him.

“It looks like you are also hassles, huh?”

Ray did not try to see the person at all because he was more focused on putting things together in his memory.

“That's. Do you want to tell me the right way so I can list the union? I'll thank you if you want to do it without needing me to pay.”

“Unfortunately I also do not have any useful information. Our fate is the same.”

Ray then opened his eyes and looked at the person. Though he could have given false information to Ray but because he did not do it then it becomes another thing.

When he saw the man, Ray was surprised. Long black hair with piercing in his ears, there was a small tattoo near his eyes. A man who looks scary but also handsome. Ray is no stranger to her.

“I remember you. You're the person Erina talked about earlier. If it is not wrong your name ..”

“Retsuji Arthur. That's my name. You can call me Arthur.”

“Retsuji? Are you from Japan?”

Japanese has a different language and even ordinary people are able to know it only from the name or family.

“I'm from england. But my father was from Japan so I used his surname. You could say I'm a blaster.”

“So. My name is Ray Morgan, you can call me Ray.”

Arthur and Ray were the ones from the same task when fighting over seats. Ray never saw Arthur's ability but vice versa. Arthur had seen Ray's ability when he fought desperately at the last moment.

“Since I saw you in the previous exam, I've been quite interested in you. You are smart and also capable.”

Ray then stood up and also leaned against the wall, “Thank you. I've only ever practiced such things.”

“That means you don't use Degree at all, yes. Well, I don't care about that. For now what if we exchange information to find the path to union registration?”

Ray thinks that there is nothing wrong with doing it because their goals are in line. But for some reason Ray seemed unable to resist and had a strong desire to help him.

So this was the feeling Mein and Erina meant. I see, this guy has an unusual charisma.

Ray hated that kind of feeling enough, as if he was being bullied.

It seems dangerous if he keeps close to Arthur but for now Ray has no other options.

“Didn't you say you didn't have any information?”

“Yes, I have no information about the right path. But I also did something similar with you. I've asked a lot of people but none of them believe me to be true.”

Ray is quite amazed by people who are not affected by the charisma that Arthur has.

“So. I don't think there's any other choice. Our goals are in line so there is no harm in cooperating.”

Ray agrees not because he is submissive by the feeling of wanting to help Arthur, but Ray does so to achieve his own goals.

Arthur then reveals all the information he finds. He had asked eight people and there was no satisfactory answer like Ray.

“So number one and three have the same vote. While number two is the least.”

The rest can be ignored because from the calculation of the two between the most votes and the least will be the choice.

“At the end we can only bet, yes?” Arthur sighed with a bit of disappointment.

“Yes. If there was someone who had been here a long time, and someone we know then it would be safe.”

Ray started thinking about going back and meeting Erina but when he was about to do so someone called out to him.

“It just so happens that we meet here, Ray!”

The girl's cheerful voice echoed, Ray turned his head to find Terumi running towards him.

When Terumi arrives at her place and is about to greet Ray, she realizes Arthur's presence.

“Is he your friend, Ray?”

“No, we just met.” Ray immediately refused.

His relationship with Arthur was only limited to exchanging information. It would be strange to think of him as a friend of that.

“He's right. My name is Retsuji Arthur.”

“Retsuji? Ah, I'm Sakura Terumi. Greetings know.” As if realizing that they were from the same country, Terumi bowed for an introduction. It is common among the Japanese.