The Degree
Hard Choice

“So in short you are worried about my Degree beyond anything?”

Arthur nodded without a doubt, “What kind of fool would not be wary of a Degree that could even control me like a puppet?”

Hearing Arthur's words made Erina smile faintly. In negotiations the two parties must be equal so that a deal can be established. Arthur holds Erina's secrets about her Degree and vice versa, Erina has a Degree that is even able to control Arthur at will.

Although the requirements are not easy but who knows that Arthur will make a blunder in the future. Moreover, Erina's strength would be more than enough to complicate Arthur in some ways.

“Huh, okay. I agree to this deal, that in the future if there is a situation that you foresee it I will remain neutral.”

Seeing Erina agree without resisting at all made Arthur sigh in relief. He had thought that he would be rejected considering Erina could do another way to silence Arthur about her Degree.

If this woman doesn't try to threaten me then our position is the same. Neither me nor Erina wanted to be enemies of each other. Her thought.

Arthur certainly realized that he was very famous to the point that people were reluctant to him even though he had never been seen using his Degree.

Despite knowing that, Arthur did not become big head and made enmity everywhere. He uses this position to his advantage and purpose.

“Then it is so good.” said Arthur while making preparations to leave the camp, “I will help with preparations to go and see how things are going. No problem, right?”

Erina nodded without even rejecting a thing. He realized that there was nothing else worth talking about. In addition Erina wanted to see Ray's current condition.

...****************...

Mona is giving Ray treatment. After cleaning the wound and sewing it he immediately bandaged the wound. Fortunately nothing fatal but for some time Ray's right hand will be difficult to move because of the injury.

“I didn't expect that you could get hurt this badly. I thought you weren't a normal person like Arthur.” Mona has an astonished face that seems misplaced considering Ray's situation is not something to be surprised by.

“If you suspect Degree of this case, then we are all not normal people.”

A normal human would not have strange abilities, fast healing and long life.

Ray looked back at his injuries, he did not expect that the outcome of his fight would be this severe.

I never expected that making direct contact with them would be foolish even if we worked together before. Her thought.

Ray remembered that the man had given his warning. Even though they are in the same group does not mean they are familiar. This is a small group that has a different vision but one goal is to complete the fifth task.

“Ray.” Someone entered the tent in a hurry.

Ray found Terumi panting and sweating there, the woman clearly running after finishing the discussion with Erina.

Camping both are quite far away so it is not surprising that it takes time for Terumi to arrive.

“You okay?” Ray asked because he was worried about Terumi.

The question made Terumi angry because she was not happy with Ray who seemed mediocre.

“All right? I should have said that! What are you doing alone to get hurt like that? You know I'm by your side and why not ask for my help?!” In one breath Terumi expressed her frustration at Ray.

Terumi clenched tightly both of her fists and walked with heavy footsteps. His face was wrinkled and his eyes looked teary.

Ray was a little surprised why Terumi was so far away just because of these injuries. Ray doesn't think that his attitude is a lie because it's impossible for someone to act that smart.

“Mona, can?” Ray makes eye contact to ask Mona to leave them both.

Mona initially thought a little before her eyebrows rose and her mouth formed a big O before smiling mischievously and stabbing Ray's waist.

Before leaving Mona whisper, “Don't get pregnant.” and run fast leaving the campground.

Suppose he did not run like that Ray had the desire to pinch the girl to teach her a lesson. After all, it was impossible for someone to get pregnant just from talking. Even with all the pain in his body Ray doesn't have that kind of hormone right now.

“I won't accept reason to forget!” Terumi said with a stomping tone.

Ray let out a long sigh,“Not that I forgot or thought you were weak. Your degree is definitely stronger and useful than mine. It's just that I don't want to involve you among the things I do personally.”

Seeing Terumi's still-disgruntled face made Ray troubled because he couldn't make a good excuse for now.

If that is the case, then let's do both.

“I won't lie to you. I do this because I can move freely and without worrying about anything. But if my actions worry you then please forgive me.”

Terumi lowered her head, her shoulders began to tremble. He obviously doesn't accept apologies like that. Terumi clearly hates Ray who seems not to know his feelings that are very clear for anyone to realize.

Although knowing Ray's past is so painful but that does not mean Ray is insensitive enough to not understand Terumi's feelings. Even people who suffered in the past must still have hearts.

“I never asked you to apologize! I'm just–”

A gentle caress reached for her hair, and the hand began to carry her to a soft, warm and fragrant crib. Her ears felt a stereo heartbeat. His face was buried in the large and stocky body of a man.

Terumi was quite surprised because Ray took the initiative to give her a gentle hug. He couldn't see Ray's face, and he didn't dare to see it. How could Terumi feel so happy about this hug even though she should be grieving over Ray's injuries?

His little heart even wished for Ray to get hurt often if it meant Terumi getting a hug.

“You fool!” Thanks to that hug too the tears that were being held frozen began to flow melted away, soaking into Ray's dirty shirt and having a splash of blood.

“Yes. It was my fault for not thinking about you. Next time I won't act recklessly and without notice.”

It seems true that the book, action is able to explain it more. With this action I can avoid answering those troublesome questions. Her thought.

Ray also plans to do it to Erina in case she behaves the same way as Terumi. But Ray also wonders if a hug will make him dodge if the question comes from a man?

What was Leo or Arthur's reaction when I hugged them like this? Maybe I'll get hit.

Putting all these things aside Ray let Terumi cry in his arms for some time. As soon as he finished crying Erina came at the right time.

The goal is in line with Terumi is to see the condition. For some reason the two seemed hostile when asking in turn.

The rest is not important because the two are more throwing sentences to each other than asking Ray's condition. Ray wants to escape from this situation immediately but what power because there is no opportunity.

...****************...

Elsewhere Leo gathered all the troops in one place. Initially he wanted to use the party hall but since almost half of it was burning and the forest was also burning then Leo moved it elsewhere.

He could not use a loudspeaker because there was a possibility the enemy could hear it. Normal yelling will reduce the risk.

“I'm sure you've all been notified that this place will be destroyed soon. Initially we already knew how to complete the fifth task but because of Rebellion attack this was delayed.”

Leo also said that the discovery of nuclear is true. All this time they had kept it as secret as best they could but unexpectedly there was another group activating it.

“This group is not Redwest, Blueeast or Rebellion. Even though bastard Sebastian knows the location, it is impossible that he can move that fast and activate it.”

Leo has also confirmed from the severely injured Ray that the existence of this mysterious group is real.

People were also shocked to learn Ray was seriously injured. Especially the girls who feel angry in some places because there are people who hurt Ray. Not only girls, but men are angry about it.

Anyway Ray is a popular figure among men and women. Although impressed cuek Ray is a person who is capable and respected enough.

“I won't have much fun. Thanks to the previous intruder attacks there were many injured and even dead. Plus this sudden task appears and demands us evacuate.”

With the pursuit of Rebellion they would be hard to escape. Rebellion himself might not take a step back because they've moved so far. In addition, Virgo will not be able to let go of the main prize of the bonus task just like that.

“Our only option is to escape while fighting the pursuing enemy. But the difficulty is not just there. Even if we get to the Shelter doesn't mean we'll be safe. Rebellion will definitely catch up to Shelter!”

Leo said that the first difficulty they face is a wounded person.

“We decided to let you guys choose it ourselves. Are you going to leave the wounded or bring some people you know. No one's a problem! Friend, lover, brother or sister. It is your right to choose it.”

Everyone knows what kind of burden they will receive if they bring all the injured people they carry. But they also understand how much of a mental burden they are when they leave injured people.

“I know this is a cruel thing to do but their death will be tomorrow for us. It's your decision whether to bring it all, or to bring in people you know. Everyone has the right to choose.”