Watching a Movie

"Well, there wasn't much going on at home yesterday, so I came over early."

Miss Seagull nodded slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear to reveal a delicate, translucent earlobe adorned with a sterling silver cross earring.

She was a devout believer of the Dawn Era, or rather, her entire family was.

"By the way, the apartment was quite quiet when I arrived yesterday. Did you all just get here today?"

Miss Seagull walked forward and asked, keeping her expression neutral.

Mr. Oystercatcher let out a hearty laugh. "That's right. The clinic was swamped yesterday; I was pulling teeth for several patients in a row. Sigh, people these days are just too fond of sweets..."

Miss Seagull scrutinized him for a moment.

She knew Mr. Oystercatcher's temperament well. The man was incapable of lying and was incredibly boisterous—to put it kindly, he was straightforward; to put it bluntly, he was a simpleton. He could essentially be ruled out as the person from last night.

Miss Seagull quickly swept her gaze over the others.

Miss Sparrow had gone to the dining room and was chatting and laughing with Old Jerry. She knew Miss Sparrow rarely stayed overnight at the apartment, and based on the woman's earlier question, it was clear she had only arrived this morning.

As for Old Jerry, that was even less likely; he usually went to bed by eight or nine in the evening and never entered the storage room without permission.

"My apologies." Mr. Stork took off his hat, but the moment he began to speak, Miss Seagull's eyes sharpened.

The handsome older gentleman was startled by the short-haired woman's gaze and quickly explained with a wry smile, "I went to visit a friend yesterday and stayed the night away. I didn't know you had arrived, Miss Seagull. It was truly a poor reception on my part."

Miss Seagull froze, realizing she had misunderstood.

She took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"So that's how it is... It's fine. Being at the apartment is more comfortable than being at home anyway."

As she spoke, her gaze locked onto the blond young man. He met her eyes, his expression flickering with a hint of surprise, which only confirmed her suspicions.

It was you!

A wave of indescribable shame and anger surged within Miss Seagull. She felt as if she had been stripped bare and exposed, wishing she could dig a hole and crawl into it right then and there.

"Mr. Snowy Owl, how did you sleep last night, your first time staying at the apartment?"

She clenched her small hands, gritting her teeth as she asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Seagull. I slept quite well..." Gilan nodded and smiled. "The environment here is much better than my previous residence. It's been a long time since I've had such a good night's sleep."

Internally, however, he felt only cold indifference.

This woman is hostile toward me... If she intends to harm me, I should just kill her.

Miss Seagull looked at the handsome, smiling face of the blond youth, and her inner shame and fury intensified.

He must be laughing at me inside!

Great God Omer, I beg you, take me away now!

This world is too bitter!

"Y-you..." Miss Seagull opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Instead, her fair face flushed a deep red.

Fortunately, Miss Sparrow eased her embarrassment at that moment.

"Wow! I didn't expect you to be such a gentleman, Mr. Snowy Owl, preparing a gift for me too!"

The playful young woman walked over quickly, hands behind her back, a sweet, mischievous smile on her face.

Everyone present was taken aback.

Gilan's gaze drifted past Miss Sparrow to see Old Jerry in the kitchen, wiping his apron with his hands and offering a smile that seemed to say, Don't mention it.

Mr. Stork and Mr. Oystercatcher exchanged a glance, offering approving smiles.

Seeing this, Gilan realized it was a misunderstanding.

Remembering that Miss Sparrow had also helped him, he sighed inwardly and simply nodded.

He went upstairs to retrieve the flower basket and handed it to Miss Sparrow.

"Thank you for your care, Miss Sparrow. You've helped me quite a bit."

"These flowers are beautiful, I love them!" Miss Sparrow took off her straw hat, cradled the basket, and took a sniff, her eyes curving into crescents. "Thank you, Mr. Snowy Owl!"

*

*

*

After the small interlude in the living room, the members of the Record Society gathered in the storage room.

Gilan and the others took their seats. Mr. Stork donned a pair of white rubber gloves and carefully placed a reel of black film onto the projector.

"The films played by the 'True Film Reel' can only be glimpsed by those with sufficient 'Gnosis,' allowing them to experience the events firsthand... 'Gnosis' is the perception of the soul. Everyone is born with a different level, but all of you here are gifted individuals capable of peering into its mysteries."

Mr. Stork turned around, wearing a rare, serious expression.

Perhaps because of the addition of their new member, Gilan, he was being exceptionally detailed and earnest.

"However, there are many precautions for 'viewing' that I ask you all to keep in mind. First, if we are injured or die within the movie world, our physical bodies in reality will suffer negative reactions—ranging from headaches and lethargy to comas, paralysis, or even actual death... So remember, safety first."

Mr. Oystercatcher and the others nodded solemnly; they were well aware of this.

Gilan had also witnessed the wretched state of those death-row inmates, so he nodded as well to show his understanding.

"Second, during the 'viewing' process, it is impossible to exit the movie world at will. Therefore, Old Jerry will be responsible for guarding the scene this time. If he notices anything amiss, he will be able to wake us up in time."

As Mr. Stork spoke, Old Jerry, who looked like a butler, stood in the corner of the utility room and nodded at the group. The members of the Record Society all responded with grateful smiles.

Gilan, however, felt a jolt in his heart.

Cannot exit midway? Then I...

He quickly realized that the reason he could exit the movie world at any time was precisely because of the Iridescence... and to him, this was a powerful trump card!

"Third, although we can bring weapons and items into the movie world, there are restrictions, and the limits for each movie are different... According to my deductions, it should be related to weight. Generally, you cannot bring anything exceeding 10 pounds into a movie."

Mr. Stork said in a low voice.

"Before 'viewing,' please check your personal belongings once more. Do not take this lightly."

"Understood, Mr. Stork." Everyone nodded.

Gilan took the Colt Snubnose Revolver from his holster, clicked it open to reveal the cylinder, and saw six gleaming 9mm cartridges resting quietly inside.

He patted the inner pocket of his trench coat, where two speed loaders filled with ammunition sat securely.

Gilan turned to look at the others.

Mr. Stork's waist was bulging, likely concealing a pistol. He also wore a pair of black leather gloves and carried his ever-present cane... No, to be precise, he had swapped his usual walnut and gold cane for a Steel-Core Engraved Cane, the handle of which was an all-metal stork with a sharp beak.

That must be one of his defensive weapons as well, Gilan thought to himself.

Mr. Oystercatcher carried two Borchardts and a pair of brass knuckles. Noticing Gilan's gaze, he returned a hearty smile.

Those two guns... they wouldn't happen to be the ones I entrusted him to sell, would they?

Gilan was slightly taken aback.

Miss Seagull carried a small bag, though it was unclear what was inside. When Gilan looked over, she glared back at him.

As for Miss Sparrow, her item was the most unique: a light-weight compound bow with a grey and red pattern, which must have been quite expensive.

Gilan guessed that it was likely a weapon Miss Sparrow had specially commissioned.

"Alright, is everyone ready?"

Mr. Stork asked, and everyone nodded in succession.

"Then, the 'viewing' of Black Lake begins now..."