The Degree
Emergence IV

Arthur and Virgo exchange blows without using a gun or any other type of firearm. With a knife in their hands, the two of them had a great effort to kill each other.

Virgo extends his knife towards the neck but Arthur nimbly dodges and delivers a powerful punch followed by a later kick.

“You have great ability.” Virgo said while feeling the pain in his stomach due to Arthur's powerful kick.

“Although this way I have a black belt. Why don't you use the Degree to face me? Defend yourself will not be able to face me.”

Arthur was very confident in his martial skills. He does not consider himself the strongest but people who can be equal one-on-one with him are few.

Not to mention he had another supporting factor that made him almost invincible in martial arts.

“Different from you, my Degree is of little use to me. You can make sure that I can't really use it like Ordo or Erina.”

The first generation can't do things like artificially making things like the second generation. At most the first generation was only able to affect its own body as was the physical enhancement of the Order.

“Then this will be a funeral for you.” Arthur doesn't give Virgo any more time and goes fast.

He swung his knife and tried to create a gap in order to attack Virgo. However this person is not weak, even if his martial ability is below Arthur but in Virgo reflex is a few steps above him.

“If you have to die then at least you will come with me.” Virgo clearly challenges Arthur and begins to counterattack him.

Both of them fought fiercely. Arthur begins to feel a little worried because until now he has not managed to drop a punch strong enough to beat back Virgo. In fact, Arthur begins to doubt whether Virgo really does not use his Degree when he begins to successfully give a scratch on his cheek.

On the other hand Virgo is actually using all his strength to keep up with Arthur. If it wasn't for his motor nerves and quick reflexes, Virgo wouldn't be confident he could last much longer.

The situation of the two at the moment was to wait for one of them to get exhausted as the fight was almost evenly matched.

‘I have to do something to overcome this impasse.’ Arthur wouldn't want to do anything as uncertain as a bet.

Instead of betting Arthur prefers to look for other options while he can think of.

As the two fought and looked for a gap to each other, the two blades sped up and broke the concentration of the two. Arthur and Virgo retreat at the same time.

The person who threw the knife clearly had no intention of helping Arthur or Virgo because the knife throw could hit both of them and cause severe injuries.

Arthur did not think that the throw was a mere miscalculation because the trajectory was clearly predetermined and deliberately made to be known.

“Unusual guests. I've never seen you anywhere.” Virgo said coldly, he obviously did not like his fight to be interrupted like this.

‘So this woman is not a member of Rebellion?’ Arthur can easily deduce just looking at Virgo's recitation.

The one who threw the knife earlier was the woman with glasses and dark hair. The body is very slim and as usual owned by famous models.

His tight clothes were obviously purposely used for self-protection purposes as well as exposing his well-heeled body. If the situation wasn't like this, Arthur would assume the woman wanted to tease the man with her curves.

“Choose, keep fighting and end up dead by nuclear, or retreat and evacuate. I don't care if you choose which one but it will be boring if you die.”

Her thin lips smiled, and her pretty eyes narrowed slightly. A real picture of a beautiful woman who is quiet but has a sinister nature in it.

“Hah! Who do you dare say that in front of me?” The Virgo obviously doesn't like what the woman is saying.

”I? Quite simple. I'm the one you're worried about, the leader of a small group you've been trying to end but failed at because you're less smart.”

Virgo speaks a thousand languages. He didn't even move at all as if he was completely shocked by it.

Surely Arthur did not understand what the woman meant. But one thing Arthur can be sure of is these people who are most likely to be the perpetrators who hurt Ray.

“Can you be the one who activated nuclear?” ask Arthur.

The woman glanced at Arthur before smiling faintly, “You can take it that way. I don't like to play around here anymore, especially knowing a bunch of monkeys fighting for bananas.”

Arthur was about to complain but he could not get the words out of his mouth. Even if the nukes were not activated, there would still be many people dying from the war.

Perhaps even the effects of war are much worse than this nuclear.

“What do you mean?” ask Virgo.

The woman shrugged her shoulders lazily. Her face may look innocent but it is certain that this woman has a lot of rot inside her.

“Well, two large groups merge into one, and dozens of small groups merge into one. The two remaining large groups start fighting each other and intend to grab a bonus reward in the form of an upcoming task clue.”

“Isn't this interesting? You're almost like a bunch of high school kids working together to get the answer key to a national exam. And I, as a cruel teacher destroy the key to the answer you seek with a real threat.”

The real threat he was referring to was a nuclear that would explode in a few minutes. It was inevitable that this woman intended not to let anyone have her and to let the gift be buried with the Open World.

“Are you not interested in the gift at all?”

“Of course, but what's the point of that? I don't need it in anything. Although it is profitable to get it but there is never a guarantee I can use it well. Secret wouldn't be as good as it gives an easy clue.”

With the premise that Secret will make Clue a very complicated puzzle as happened in the fifth task.

Arthur did not think that the woman was wrong but he did not judge right either. Everything about Secret and this trial is still gray so nothing can be said to be true or false.

“Now, what are your answers? Time won't sit by and wait for us to talk. Do you die here, or die somewhere else. Choose your place to die.” The woman spread out her hands as if the two options were in each hand.

Neither Virgo nor Arthur immediately answered him because there might be a trap prepared.