The Degree
Next Steps

Endruid whose movement is rigid like a robot starts crying again, “Why ... what I did .. error .. until sending the killer ... for me. ..”

Not daring to touch it, Ray made sure the Endruid looked straight into his eyes.

“Name your boss or people he is in close contact with. I swear I'll kill them for you.”

The endruid felt confident in those words. In the end, what kind of person was able to say would kill so lightly and his gaze was, almost as cold as the wind of death.

But the problem is, can he deliver it? Coupled with the second generation, there were around more than fifteen thousand people in this place.

It will be difficult to find a certain person from many others.

In addition, the Endruid itself does not know for sure who the boss is. He had never seen a face even in his form, even that person used a device to change his voice while talking over the radio.

There were only a few people that Endruid knew were close to his boss.

“Alexis Sanchez ..., Sonata Seirama ... Ryouma ..., Hisat .. su ...” The endruid breathed his last at that very moment.

Ray doesn't believe he was killed at crucial times. Although he failed to get the identity of the mastermind but at least he accepted the commensurate thing that is the people who have close relations with the mastermind of this rebellion.

“Ray!” Terumi who was carrying ice pelastics and towels came in a hurry, maybe she saw this incident from a distance, “What just happened? The man ... what are you—”

“I didn't kill him. But the person who controls him sends assassins for him.”

He knew what Terumi wanted to say and before the misunderstanding became troublesome then it was wiser to solve it from the beginning.

“Why ... people can be so cruel?” Terumi looked sad and concerned about it, “Are they not friends? Friends should not hurt each other. Let alone kill.”

Ray looked at Terumi in silence. If what he meant by such a cruel person then Ray would be in that category.

Terumi still does not understand that in this place trusting someone in a short time is very taboo.

“Your sincere and holy heart does not deserve here, Terumi. For now let's care about the things we still have and caring for that person is one of them.”

Terumi was stunned as if surprised. He immediately nodded and rushed to compress Arthur's burn.

Not to forget, he also applied the ointment before wrapping his wound with a bandage.

“For now everything will be fine. However he will not be aware in the near future.”

Arthur showed no sign of waking up until the conclusion was drawn. Ray began to think of the steps he should have taken starting from this point.

With her kindness Terumi would not agree if Arthur died badly wounded alone.

Then the only thing they could do was to part ways or wait together.

But I can't stay still. There's a chance Erina might be in danger. Her thought.

Not that his feelings changed, there were certain things that made him unable to lose Erina.

Although Ray would be happy if his shackles were released but there are some things that should not be separated from his hands at this time.

“What should we do, Ray?” Terumi was worried because Ray never said anything. “We can't leave him alone here.”

“Urgh ..”

A groan sounded from Arthur. The man opened his eyes and found Terumi as well as Ray with him.

Seeing that both of them were calm enough for Arthur to understand that the situation was already fine.

“You better not move first.” Terumi gave her warning.

“Tak problems. This is not the time to rest,” Arthur holds his head in pain, his face wrinkled miserably from being attacked by pain, “I'm sure you guys have interrogated one of those people. I don't care what happens but please share the information you get.”

Arthur must have realized that the people who attacked him had been killed, even those who were previously just unconscious now would not wake up forever.

I was reluctant to share the things I met with them but it seems that the fight ahead will be difficult. There is no harm in sharing information, let's consider this an investment. Thought Ray.

With the presence of certain groups that move behind the scenes will make new opponents. Tasks are not the only obstacles to be faced, but now there is an existence to watch out for.

There is an uncertain future waiting. If he is not sure if he is able to face it himself, the answer is clear.

I need a partner.

“Sure I will share it. This may be something you need to know .. that not only one person but there is one group that has been playing behind the scenes.”

“One group?” tanya Terumi while tilting her head.

Arthur leaned slowly against a nearby wall and looked seriously at Ray, “Tell me the details.”

Shortly before Ray begins his story he is shocked by the presence of an extra person. There was no need for him to be vigilant since that person was quite familiar.

“Can I join your conversation?” he said as his breath bloomed from running for long periods of time, sweat also seemed to drip from his golden brown hair.

“Leo? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you rest because of the cold?” Terumi was surprised by his appearance.

“Sorry. I lied to you. There are some things I need to investigate. Before that we better listen to Ray.”'s story

Let's forget for a moment about what Leo did and investigate. For now it is better to focus on the thing that is in front of them at the moment.

...[***]...

In the western part where destruction and intense fighting took place.

Lots of gunfights, brawls, attacks between degrees and murders everywhere.

The screams of despair, lamentation, sorrow, fear, resignation, surrender to death. All these things happened at one time, almost exactly like the condition of the people who were victims of war.

“This is how it looks.” A short human in full black army clothes looked from left to right from the top of the four-story house. After all, even so this place was the highest in the city.

A scene where cities are destroyed and burned. A scene where people kill and die.

“This is how it feels.” That person raised his head to the sky as if flying because he had eaten a fancy meal.

“And, this is how it smells.” He took a deep breath even though from behind his mask did not allow him to inhale anything.

His voice was like a robot because he used a voice-changing tool provided by Market.

“This chaos is only the beginning of a dark future that awaits us.”

“You must be crazy, someday will arrive where you die pathetic!” The voice of the woman who sounded angry but weak from pain and almost lost consciousness.

The one who seemed to be enjoying the destruction turned around and walked past his four companions.

He walked towards the woman who spoke before, the woman who sucks for him.

“You said strong but look at this miserable condition. Your clothes were ragged and almost naked. If I were cruel, I would make men fuck you out in the open but unfortunately that's impossible. Want anyway your Degree is so troublesome that such things cannot be done.”

He lifted the woman's face by holding her lips. The woman furrowed angrily and wanted to beat him up yet what power. Hands and feet were chained so it was impossible to do so.

“Ah, look at this pitiful face. Where's the smug face you used to show, Erina Queen?”

The woman who had been defeated and beaten up was Erina. The absolute leader of the western Open World. Chairman of the guild, Redwest, Erina Queen.