Rising Temperature

Gilan remained seated on the swing in the apartment courtyard for a while longer before heading back upstairs to his room.

Feeling sticky all over, he took a cold shower and changed into clean clothes.

He had just emerged from the washroom, drying his damp hair, when he heard a faint vibration coming from the pocket of the coat hanging on the rack.

The Alchemy Hotline.

Gilan raised an eyebrow.

He set down the towel, walked over, took out the hotline, and answered it. With a click, Lady Crow's mature, pleasant voice came through the receiver:

"Good evening, Mr. Gilan."

"Good evening, ma'am."

Holding the hotline receiver in one hand, Gilan stood by the window, his perfectly sculpted upper body bare as the cool evening breeze washed over him.

His long gradient hair draped over his shoulders and swayed in the wind, giving him a languid air.

"Has there been a result regarding the cooperation we discussed before?" he asked softly.

"Yes." Lady Crow smiled. "Following discussion at the Screening Roundtable, we have agreed to your proposal. From now on, both sides will share clues regarding the True Film Reel Curtain Call and search together for its fragments."

"If we manage to assemble it, we will share its usage rights."

"That is good news." Gilan smiled, then shifted the subject. "But since this is a partnership, we should establish the rules first... If the film reel is completed, which side gets priority of use?"

"Hmm..."

Lady Crow pondered for several seconds on the other end of the line.

"Mr. Gilan, how about this... To demonstrate our sincerity, we are willing to sell you the Tier 6 secret transmission of Set Design, but we would receive priority usage rights."

"Tell me the price first."

Gilan said blandly.

"Only two Sal Cards."