49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gSDfcbdq6
不知是植物的適應、演化，還是植物吸收了這片大地荒廢、破舊的氣息，植物大多是紅褐、黯紫、深藍的藤蔓類植物，令這片遺跡添了額外的神祕感。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnteaEjQTZk
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilPMJo77j8
過了好一段時間，在黃昏的橙色光芒灑滿大地之時，雙層巴士開下了高架橋，在一處放眼望去都是城市遺跡的破爛站牌停下。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyidzBzRUyZ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhjInU9gKv
穿著深綠色軍用大衣搭配畫滿白色陣式的黑底白紋人造絲衣、擁有一頭黑色亂髮，戴著墨鏡的高大男子，拎著小布包，從巴士上走了下來。年老的巴士司機從駕駛座狐疑地看了他一眼，接著便掉頭離開。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzV0U45srF
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSdSeD0xfZ
男子從小布包中，拿出用葉子包裹的飯糰，一邊走一邊吃了起來。他粗糙的臉孔，跟周圍的城市遺跡融為一體，就像他本來就是這裡的一份子一般。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReub2wV1Ur
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YVdE41PlT
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlP63kvJqb
他穿著軍靴，踩在破碎、斑駁，被植物弄得凹凸不平的柏油路上，一旁已成廢墟的水泥房中，不時有野獸的紅色雙眼在黑暗中注視著他。高大男子似乎散發出一種氛圍，讓野獸們不敢輕易襲擊他。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3QoYyPUXL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRMWZxrSBL
太陽西沉，夜幕低垂。男子從口袋中拿出一副墨鏡，戴了起來，輕輕點了一下鏡框，眼鏡的鏡片切換成夜視功能。他環視了一下四周，抬頭看著不遠的前方。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1k9ghzGb1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RoIZhmH62
前方有一棟高達十層樓的長方形建築，正面看上去，寬至少兩百公尺。從一樓的大片落地窗望進去，能看到些許地亮光。男子繼續往前走，當他吃完第三顆飯糰時，他走進建築物中。建築物的一樓有著許多類似攤位的專櫃，從上頭幾乎看不清的字和地上的各種瓶瓶罐罐來看，能勉強知道這裡曾經是化妝品的販售場所。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgf6ZgBLbj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHt6cL1PuE
這裡佈滿了紅褐色植物和泥濘，陰暗的角落傳來了動物的喘息聲。在泥濘之中，有一條明顯比較乾淨的路，示意這裡有人透過這條路經常性地走動。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jRULLvCVQ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsHi0eePE9
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyyEcev8dF
男子循著這條小徑，往深處走去。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGwKXqrKb4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbxPU1Va35
建築物的中間，是一個巨大的圓柱空間，建築物的構造呈現中空的形狀。在中間的位置，有一名戴著無框眼鏡、淺黃色短髮的少女，穿著髒兮兮的工作服，白皙的臉龐沾著油汙，旁邊擺放著探照燈，蹲坐在那裏。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGC3QvzlMr
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sY075Isid
在她的位置下方，有一面巨大的圓形金屬盤，層層交疊的鐵片讓人感覺十分厚重、緊密，少女拿著一個手掌大的小型機械在金屬盤上游移，機械連接到一旁地上擺著的一個正方形、印有黃色王冠的方形小盒上，小盒投射出綠色的立體影像，顯示出許多數據。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNXX11E8al
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tTnlUDsRc
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFaLy8Fgko
在圓柱空間的最上方，是一面玻璃天頂，被稀疏的藤蔓覆蓋外層，月光透過空隙滲透進來，讓這裡較為明亮些。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq7JZu1fDe
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvezuWWbxL
「是爺爺嗎？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2ctJL26DL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWP5gZo5Qu
年約接近二十歲的少女，站了起來，手插進口袋裡，將小型機械收起來，轉過頭看向高大男子。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTwO12AVfd
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCpQ1GJPvx
「不是。」男子聳聳肩。「瑪莉？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqW81gU04b
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44kBblGflh
「沒錯。」黃髮女子乾脆地回應。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaylJe91WL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ0ZUUGbET
男子從大衣的內口袋中，拿出一封有些皺褶的羊皮信封。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZh9C8FSQv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3QuxqgblA
「妳爺爺的信。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXWteuJ9fc
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tzmae3K8y
「為什麼他沒有出現？」瑪莉冷冷地問。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgw8ABT5nF
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH7kvI6orV
男子靠近瑪莉，沉默不語地舉著拿著信封的手。瑪莉將男子的手推開，褐色的瞳孔微微濕潤。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u3080KPS6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLRRhtj5me
「不要跟我說他已經死了，我不相信……！明明就約好要在這裡見面的啊！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4se1wv1dN
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wJqweYJ9
男子面無表情地將信封丟在地上，月光將它染上乳白。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwadL5368tL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlITINNhTv
「他說，如果妳出現在這裡，我一定要把信交給妳。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMu6oFEW8o
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVyspLFaUw
「明晚？」瑪莉乾笑了幾聲。「我還想說為什麼要約這個時間點，原來爺爺是想配合節日啊。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq7A25S6NJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6cQhYFBVl
瑪莉撿起那封信，收進上衣口袋裡。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNBlX5tbRO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqCDGP1wnH
「你跟爺爺是朋友嗎？」瑪莉看著高大男子說著。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWh3oeQvvU
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVGnZ1QzVl
「酒友。」男子說著，朝四處看了看，拿了一張不太乾淨的破舊的椅子，坐了下來。「對了，他說，要妳明天待在這裡。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPAWKjJOIC
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXaB49prOD
「這裡？」瑪莉挑眉。「不可能，這個百貨公司遺跡明天下午就要拆掉了。這附近的遺跡要重整成開發區，明早拆除大隊就會抵達了……我也是拆除團隊的工程師之一，今天來探查哪裡特別堅固、需要特別注意。就像這個一看就知道和遺跡時代不符合的構造。」瑪莉指著一樓中間的金屬圓盤構造。「雖然不知道是誰弄得，不過，我想，要毀掉這個應該滿簡單的。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQVdHXNVVL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8KiJ5E4VS
「是嗎？真可惜，這裡沒有了，就收不到老人家送來的驚喜了。」男子從背包中拿出乾糧餅乾，開始啃了起來。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbBY90Z2Q2
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3DfWmLe8N
「……他來見我，才是最好的禮物。」瑪莉低著頭，表情有些寞落地說著，將方形小盒撿起，關閉投射影像。「本來還期待能吃到他那難吃的鬆餅……期待那種跟政府作對的科學家能來這裡，是我自己太天真吧。對了，你是誰？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm7qPlgSyP
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf265F3CV1d
「噬錢。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4whYfUfqt4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpRNTMEd6z
「我知道，我是說名字。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOiQKgoPZm
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMngLKXQcM
「伊森。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFCqvc01Aw
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HsgPnORXy
「那，伊森，你可以走了，你的委託已經結束了。」瑪莉揮了揮手，提著工具箱，準備離開。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiS1kAD2nm
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNfEr9xfEJ
「還沒有。」伊森一邊咬著餅乾一邊說道，將墨鏡給摘下，露出毫無精神的灰色瞳孔。「我還沒讓妳明天晚上來到這裡。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn78rAp4br
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpDlSv3cbI
「我不是說這裡要拆掉了嗎？」瑪莉皺著眉頭，不耐煩地說著。「如果他沒有平安來到這裡，什麼禮物都沒有意義……而且，我早就跟他說過了，我最討厭聖誕節了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYZMGjdtxF
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0dNDUAfA2
「聖誕節？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlowkBWCj8n
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ262EsIQvcd
「你不知道嗎？那是幾百年前曾經盛行過的全球性節日，在這個節日，每個人都要跟家庭團聚，並互送禮物。不過，說穿了就是商業行為下的操弄和文化入侵罷了，不知道爺爺為什麼特別喜歡這個虛偽的節日。」瑪莉的神情在月光下特別添了一絲冰冷。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuhomrceS3
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqFf5VDQ6B
伊森露出了不明所以的淺笑，輕笑了幾聲，將剩下的乾糧餅乾全部塞進嘴裡，咬幾下便吞了下去。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wVRtUIpnj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrRICfQ3jo
「聽起來真不錯。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVv5d4hUh2
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU09akPTmc
「哪裡不錯？就是這種消費主義和商業至上才讓古文明滅絕的這麼快，也都是他們才讓現在的世界依然掌握在企業、財團手中！」瑪莉不屑地用厭惡的語氣說道。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWShp6yBm5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjGuC5X0zB
「那種事，怎麼樣都無所謂。虛偽也好，真實也罷，每個人都需要找藉口好做些平常不方便做的事。」伊森聳聳肩，帶著淺笑看著瑪莉。「你的爺爺，也不過只是這樣而已。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9Gso5gcCZ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHThhDf05xB
「無聊的詭辯……！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf48QcabAJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfopbBQTJuQ
瑪莉大步邁向出口，徒留伊森一個人待在原地。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjJlBDWSut
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiboFUXWFYu
伊森目送瑪莉離開後，面無表情地從背包中拿出黑色的小球體，開始用白色包裝紙包起來，默默地在只有月光照射的廢棄百貨公司一樓包裹出一顆又一顆的黑色小球。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFSIz4xiDb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvC8Pmmogw
＊49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEd98bnFVH
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEDu6aS7Hm
「我勘查過了，資料已經用『冠盒』傳送過去，基本設備就可以了，防治野獸的驅逐劑也噴灑過了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9VReILHqj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyF3ZUomRA
在一處廢棄水泥建築的頂樓，瑪莉點燃附近的枯萎植物，弄了一個小火堆出來，在這片漆黑的遺跡之中顯得格外明亮。瑪莉正對著方形小盒，也就是冠盒，與別人通話。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU2g1dFS5X
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl6TOSTLJI
『辛苦了，妳對新區域的發展非常有貢獻，我會呈報上去的。』冠盒那頭傳來男性的聲音，接著『嚓』一聲，通話被切斷。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMCfF6A9Zr
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zh6B9PML7
瑪莉裹著褐色的毛毯，擦拭著眼鏡，若有所思地看著竄動不已的火堆。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWX6TLbvRL
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9EcnepCRT
真是傻瓜。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOgJRu0oLX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUwCGxoejT
瑪莉心想，拿出從伊森那裏收到的信封。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhdaUAi82X
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPDHMhCcQK
到底有什麼事物，能比家人重要？重要到不惜離開我們，甚至連好不容易約定好的日子都不能來見面？49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1MvPiaqG7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69mpiPCdXU
瑪莉拆開了信封。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlFqZuV5Um
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8RyPwNw1a
當她看到端正到讓人懷疑是用打字印出來的筆跡時，她彷彿看到了，自己孩提時最喜歡的那名留著白色絡腮鬍、總是帶著高傲笑容的爺爺，正坐在火堆的對面，用不可一世的笑容看著她。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD16qtWUCVd
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFf46vmzPT
『親愛的瑪莉，放心，我還沒死。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74q1fiHACn
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnDAGTeVJi
當她看到這句話，本來揪緊的心，慢慢開始放鬆。瑪莉自己也不明白，為什麼自己的眼睛有些酸澀。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEZr4MKQLl
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnxXZIByXr
『最近有個大研究還沒搞定，政府軍的傢伙又抓的嚴，無法到處跑。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rdfh42bp9
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgouJOglon
信封裡只有一張信紙，寫的話並不多。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDAciN7ZGK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYpjwALYIN
『還記得，妳說過妳最討厭聖誕節嗎？我可是故意挑這個日子把禮物放在那裏的。雖然我不在妳的身邊，但請收下我為妳打造的機關吧。這個氣候，很適合吃鬆餅。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgmGO68OjF
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3slbCpte9
瑪莉總覺得，爺爺就在眼前，帶著討人厭的嘲謔性笑容，手拿著平底鍋，用火堆煎著他最擅長的鬆餅。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5MKrcm8kg
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnROsFz9b3Q
『也許，妳看不起爺爺選的道路。不過，我永遠都不會質疑妳選的道路，不管妳做了些什麼，妳永遠都是我的驕傲。永遠。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J833iSzT5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGGOD5LGht
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAexWSWkQS
瑪莉心中的爺爺，彷彿輕輕拍了拍她的肩膀，接著，帶著一如往常的笑容，轉身離去。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNWroOXXLY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCCn3Y1e2B
爺爺……！49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPep32hfUz6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5FrrrRFQ
瑪莉緊緊抓著信紙，忍住不讓流淚流下，回憶清楚而明顯地刺痛她的心。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFoDhXtfzY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AB2agl45Q
※49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbOoVPReav
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDfRlNo88g
留著白色絡腮鬍、戴著無框眼鏡的年邁男子，正低頭看著手上的資料。稍微年輕一些些的瑪莉，站在他的檜木書桌前，怒瞪著他。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yevsCZlqz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRsOPsnpEL
「爺爺，你搞什麼？為什麼要發表那種東西？你會被政府的人盯上的！」瑪莉咬牙切齒地指著年邁男子吼道。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ikkEHuana
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTugiGmRHBS
「瑪莉，如果要堅持自己喜歡的事物，是不可能不和人作對的。」年邁的男子推了一下眼鏡，平靜的說著。「我會遠離你們，不讓你們受牽連的。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9PXAv3s1A
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiduLtZ8yz
「那根本不是重點啊！」瑪莉咬著嘴唇。「我不要爺爺離開！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasn4pLLGgZ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQIm0FaQVD
「……人不可能永遠陪伴對方的。生來死去，都是孤單的。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUiKCdaHkv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhF3hulsap
年邁男子這句冰冷的話，讓瑪莉啞口無言，低著頭，眼神飄忽不定，看起來十分害怕無助。年邁男子將眼鏡摘下，伸手，摸了摸瑪莉的頭。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAbeMBQRuf
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ztttQI5oo
「瑪莉，妳還記得妳小時候，我們常去玩的那個百貨公司遺跡嗎？」年邁男子換了一個較為平靜的語氣。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44KuAyaOru
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRgSBmVVSB
「啊？」對於突如其來的話題轉換，瑪莉有些反應不過來。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL2dQGGkX5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7odY9Wxnd
「總有一天，我會跟妳約在那裏見面的。在那之前，好好活著吧。」年邁男子從座位上站起，摘下自己的眼鏡，放在桌上，手上拿著一個大公事包。「我要走了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH9DOfbtVU
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0JM9s8gSU
「嗚！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKMAfjrpML
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqAUiCmyHD
瑪莉僵在原地，沒有移動。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZAVpSVERU
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoJjEELxys
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNSUidTgsv
「記住，瑪莉，當有藉口的時候，不要害怕做自己真正想做的事。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29xguh3fY4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOY09OAUXT
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf91kO5yDTe
※49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2DVSFA4pb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkocKmhgeH0
「……！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNhbuX2Brn
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzloj5Nqxt
瑪莉看著手上，屬於自己，同時也屬於爺爺的眼鏡。當她想起爺爺的這句話同時，也想起了伊森所說的話。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5nramLk07
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArGpJVbvkt
『虛偽也好，真實也罷，每個人都需要找藉口好做些平常不方便做的事。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h2CSeoRHa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIBHW8vTai
瑪莉猛然站起，將毯子甩開，顫抖地看著自己的雙手。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuxeR2WUWj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5BqhRCTM4
我真的想破壞這裡嗎……？聖誕節那種討人厭的商業氣息，跟把這裡再破壞、再發展的傢伙們有什麼不同呢？我善於探索的這雙手，就是為了這種事所生嗎？49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt650R37yI
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ3qxfbkfA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY1LkvKWxW
＊49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e1o123WeS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY4ZsrfkNe
隔天，剛正中午的時間，太陽微微向西邊偏，陽光正十分刺眼。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNOWzCW3Iv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjilJRXR6PB
在百貨公司的門口，伊森盤腿坐在地上，大口大口地咀嚼著簡單的鮪魚三明治，搭配用不鏽鋼保溫瓶保存的熱可可。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgKH7aj6jK
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxEJgdHAPR
不遠處已經傳來了機械運作、爆炸，以及房屋倒塌的崩塌聲響，能看見白色的灰塵和斷裂的藤蔓在飄散在空中。伊森不為所動，依然待在原地。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHYPdLnYEt
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs8Ed8go26
在這時，滿頭大汗、一臉驚慌失措的瑪莉，狂奔向伊森所在的位置。對於瑪莉的來到，伊森完全不訝異，也沒做多餘的表情，只是默默地站了起來。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo3pgyVw30
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvQcmUVPs8
「有事嗎？探勘者小姐？」伊森面無表情地問。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ021znQaTf7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliLfux27Bm
「你、你既然是一名噬錢，」瑪莉上氣不接下氣地說著。「那、那就幫我，保護這間百貨公司！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mBb7pkcqY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqpYKnnWX2
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIc2RBorCP
「為什麼？妳不是拆除團隊的一份子嗎？」伊森微微偏著頭問。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pgJmv6lVp
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxap8LZI9mW
「因、因為……」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBB3kkhZh9
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfU1f1UqM1
『有藉口的時候』、『都需要找藉口』這兩句話在瑪莉腦海裡打轉。我想要，再和爺爺有所聯繫，不管多微小，我都要把握！49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbnzKXr8rT
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNnMQmiq2t
「……爺爺可是要送我禮物耶！」瑪莉露出倔強的笑容，故作耍賴的樣子。「今天可是聖誕節唷，如果收不到禮物，也太過份了吧！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNciw7mr1t
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkZiyas2Yt
伊森露出淺笑，向前走，與瑪莉擦身而過。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl7tYXJPlX
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDJ9HDxrmg
「這委託，我接了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2b6Xg18WJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TZfoQDEev
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H1e5y2Lje
「那個，」瑪莉轉過頭看著伊森的背影。「報酬……？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCebOfGTBa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI6pbzVovJ
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdQMdPLuOx
「已經收過了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfypUkFUimq
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1WXv67KZ8
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RC8w4fyP8
伊森背對著瑪莉揮了揮手，表情則有些像是不太高興，又像是在自嘲。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbARHH3bq5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sFwog6N0G
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIrWmcdGNH
「那老頭的鬆餅，實在有夠難吃的。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66irWSXAfR
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiwEaBY2Jn
＊49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF40LdsZv1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqUcdROGba
伊森站在距離百貨公司門口大約一百公尺的地方。在他的面前，各種拆除用機具排列成一排，正以超乎想像的效率開始拆除遺跡。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms3oL8Tgws
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ginaG3tp4
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPgiZOCDh7
伊森上衣的陣式，發出淡藍色的強烈光芒。一陣電氣從他身上散發而出，就像一陣漣漪一般，以他為中心往四周擴散。這一瞬間，所有碰觸到電器的機具，舉凡怪手、破壞球、破碎機全都停止運作，無法進行工作。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c97UglxLM
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l189pHHgB
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveV0Fe1muF
所有的工人們跳下機具。他們身上穿著防身用的工作服，頭戴鋼盔，各個身材魁武壯碩，手持各種不同的工具－十字搞、鐵鏟、炸藥、電鋸、巨捶等等。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeIL5iA2d7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAKbJxlUwj
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwkjL6TLpe
其中一名看起來較有威嚴的男性工人站了出來，粗曠的臉上帶著嚴肅的神情。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE8Zo0VNbA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfMqtn3Hvo
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTidwW3cwJ
「為什麼阻擋我們的工作？」他問道。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfLwI5K0Lv
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J6uZ5EKxE
「我接受了委託，我不會讓你們進到我的身後。」伊森用拇指往後指了指廢棄百貨公司。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaYTXIGf1q
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nfm7ywCIB
「……兄弟們，拿槍。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MdT878epb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1FuroWux2
「呃？」其中一名工人不安地靠了過去。「可是，工頭，我們沒有拿到對人射擊的許可。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRUGOEnSmf
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WPlEqAi5w
「我許可。」被稱為工頭的男子冷冷地說著。「你們沒跟噬錢交手過？他們根本不能當成是人！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3TTaXCA0n
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE9KdYERaq
伊森上衣的陣式，開始閃爍銀色和紫色的光芒。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWE88kx62e
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1dlqlz3Az
工人們拿起各種樣式的長槍，在距離伊森兩百公尺左右的地方，舉著槍口，對準伊森。明明沒人下達指示，卻像大家早就約好似地，一齊發射。各種口徑的子彈和電漿彈從宛如爆炸的槍鳴聲中射出。而在他們發射之前，伊森搶先零點幾秒，將凝聚銀色和紫色光芒的左右手放置在地面上。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wXTnn5WPW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOozacMfWh2
一面石牆從地上猛然竄出，佈滿蜘蛛網狀的紫色線條，所有的彈藥被這面高達兩尺、寬五尺的石牆抵擋住。石牆沒有受到猛烈的破壞，爆炸型彈藥也沒有如期爆炸，在碰到紫色線條的那剎那，彈藥就像是按下了遙控器的『停止鍵』似的，卡在石牆上。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k4MnTAoom
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZcDcAgs7a
紫色線條在石牆後匯集成一條線，捲成繩結的樣子。紫色繩結周遭的空氣看起來有些扭曲，看得出來十分炙熱。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnen7AJKSE
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelpPNBvMba
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKPkELpAfB
「你們攻擊的動能……或者該說，『決心』，我就收下了。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEddaajENJz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyTubji9Bd
伊森淺淺一笑，從口袋拉出一條白色的引線，用紫色繩結點燃。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe56RbtHyho
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYI2613SMn
「嗚哇！」「地、地面……！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tEKyiFoAp
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w4XsZ00vK
柏油路、廢墟中，開始發生一連串的爆炸，火藥的煙硝味和爆炸產生的碎片四處飛散，工人們陷入了慌亂。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP5SjP0J4c
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEYyxodqhj
「陷阱？別慌張，我們重整態勢！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJV5fxkRip
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVWIK4v6wu
工頭從腰帶抽出工作用的鐵槌，準備朝伊森的方向往前踏出一步。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROICKcPesr
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3dmrKcR6t
而伊森，已經站在他的面前，低頭看著他。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7TdZtcKPs
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPI27eiO8b
工頭抬頭看著伊森，一時之間動彈不得，彷彿被掠食者給盯上，全身每個細胞都在尖叫著逃跑，然後恐懼卻讓他的腳有如嵌入地板。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaYISzShAS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIDhztO0Ba
「女孩準備拆禮物的時候，別這麼煞風景。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYolIzWiP8F
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxmThf6gAG
伊森聳聳肩，上衣的陣式轉換成黃色的光芒，並凝聚在手上。伊森一手掐住工頭的脖子，用力將他丟出去。工頭撞倒了好幾名工人，暈死過去。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UJ3NpUBWp
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2J496Z9oI
旁邊的工人們拿著電鋸、鏟子、十字縞，一齊揮向伊森的頭。伊森手上的黃色光芒，轉移到身上的深綠色軍用大衣上，以軍用大衣的袖子接下他們的攻擊。接著，看著比他高大、壯碩的電鋸手，一腳踹向對方的腹部，力道之大讓電鋸手無法站穩。伊森趁機將電鋸從他的手裡敲落，將電鋸搶奪過來，並往後一蹬拉開距離，把電鋸停止運轉。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68f7qs6rlx
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIhu7Ya4F2
伊森身上又換成了銀色的光芒，銀色光芒凝聚在手上，碰觸在電鋸的刀鋒上，用力一拉，長達兩公尺的金屬長槍藉由銀色光芒鍛造而出，陽光灑落在槍口上，反射出耀眼的光澤。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAC40MfHb1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLozByNXYj
數名工人從四面八方圍了上來，想要一口氣擺平伊森。伊森的上衣陣式快速變化成各種顏色的光芒。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFj2IUCrPz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3ItpcdxOx
如閃電般迅雷不及掩耳的長槍一瞬間掃倒了伊森周遭所有的工人，伊森撒出無數黑色種子，種子一落地，迅速長出藤蔓將工人綁在地面，連臉頰都緊貼著地面。在旁邊工人被撂倒之後，旁邊的工人舉起槍，近距離朝伊森射擊。而在射擊之前，伊森的長槍已經貫穿了他的槍管。伊森大幅度旋轉長槍，一陣圓形的真空刃四散，不偏不倚地毀掉附近工人手持的武器。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xFhTE9COc
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P4Keni4nm
「那句話是怎麼說的？」伊森甩了一下脖子，發出關節扭動的喀喀聲。「聖誕快樂。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IvtOrYf98
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnCo58UM15
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70QC2MMNUY
＊49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9flf6DQHO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLVf419F8v
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq414xxR3tj
夕陽西下，大衣多處破洞、臉上有些許血痕、手背有大片瘀青的伊森，站在百貨公司的門口，面無表情地看著有些驚慌的瑪莉。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mTXlY15aP
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9pi3ryZl
「你的傷……」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U2vRTmYfr
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8mcI9q9YB
「不要緊。委託完成了，我走了。」伊森聳聳肩，有些搖晃地走向當時下車的站牌。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgizetoxIel
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuuYvXXRsT
「等等，你不陪我看看爺爺的禮物嗎？」瑪莉有些困惑地問。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpJyMhjR6t
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DEvu2k3Vy
伊森背對著她揮揮手。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmqjLvpLRi
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGLjfCzHzd
「算了吧，我可不想打擾爺爺跟孫女寶貴的時間。」伊森平靜的說著。「這麼不知趣，會讓酒變得苦澀。」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LYlLQJoiA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ3kp1Py93
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡragLGlM4WS
伊森漸行漸遠。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDpywKuNTS
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z1ZoOuVob
瑪莉對著伊森，行了一個軍禮，接著走進百貨公司中。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar1FvkKB4g
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSIcFO4T0G
在天色變暗之後，瑪莉一直待在百貨公司的一樓，等待會發生什麼事。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNAojRdApb
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgRTXp6COa
就在她懷疑什麼事情都不會發生時，應當廢棄的百貨公司，所有還能用的燈泡突然全部亮起。在中間的圓柱空間上方，原本應該是冷氣出氣孔的地方，不可思議地開始飄出雪花。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nq3SagxnT
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtSLHHJ37x
在百貨公司一樓廣場正中間的金屬圓盤，緩緩打開。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eP18TzpS5
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kLSt2JPjz
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZonLvofx
一顆高達數十公尺的巨大聖誕樹，緩緩升起。細看的話，會發現他是栽種在升降台的土壤上，情況良好地像是有人固定時間去修剪似的。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShWaY2j9k8
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveXitenXxJ
上頭沒有什麼裝飾品，代替銀球、金球、彩帶等裝飾品的是，瑪莉與她爺爺的照片、她爺爺自信笑容的照片、全家福、各式各樣他們家人間才懂得的紀念品。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1JnDAqTtl
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgS9O4gDGU
而在樹的中間段，有一個用金色寫成文字的裝飾品，謝著：『Merry ， be merry 』。下頭還掛著年邁男子笑得開懷的照片。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IEBJjj7P9
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5DbI76kia
在樹的下方，有一個稍嫌破舊的禮物盒。瑪莉顫抖地伸出手，拆開。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NDD1942vr
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Ipb43yeS
裏頭放著，一副旁邊有小小黑色按鈕的黑框眼鏡，以及一張字條。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIIRB1UO6H
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS3bi2hnDf
『妳這傻瓜，一定還戴著我的眼鏡。捨棄我，走得更遠吧。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOZrsDO8QA
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuky1GdUIRy
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BoCByc8u2
瑪莉摀住嘴巴，眼淚奪眶而出，跪坐下來，看著那顆只屬於自己的高大聖誕樹，任由雪花飄落在自己身上。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sdYLJy9N7
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmRFcvB5uO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYggZ0imEm
「爺爺……」瑪莉摘下眼鏡，試圖去擦拭那止不住的淚水，呈現一種一邊大哭一邊大笑的怪樣子。「Merry Christmas！」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEYuUTqaXC
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VhM7rUaua
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzBcZv7e0f
＊49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmV81zRLWe
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLuiDVCzah
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC84f3GmZW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5KYJQgq5D
坐上客運的伊森，用手撐著下巴，透過車窗看向城市遺跡。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JHPmbnljW
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4prW9BiNtU
他淺淺一笑，在客運上，從口袋中拿出刻有淡藍色王冠的冠盒，輕輕點了一下。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUz4APd6k1
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXSIG9NYig
過了一會兒，通訊接通。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqNVK21Aph
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87jnC05cW6
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthWxTMBoJc
『伊森？真稀奇。』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigE2vs4HFh
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImfnxPz5BY
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3mLdv03q7
聲音經過變聲處理，聽不出來對面是男是女，也完全無法得知對方的身份。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZnTEc1rAa
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC6ivvPJ8f
「晚一點，我想找人一起喝酒，老地方，如何？」49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ833YEEczQB
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo9owvVGse
『真稀奇，今晚吹什麼風？』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0dmCUkmwO
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7lbZwu3no
「聖誕節嘛。」伊森帶著淺淺的笑意說著。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JUYV43Wzw
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFOWpRnPaa
通訊那頭停頓了一下，接著發出嘲笑的笑聲。49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1SiUgzt2w
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcQjgO5kpR
『聖誕節？只是見面的藉口吧！』49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQDQrmvXeG
49Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqSi2DtQhQ
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