53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZmuMljFxv
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fnoiSoNGM
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI97HW5MKf
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbNFQafVfl
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5Qdg9QL08
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UDOLb7HyC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzz1R8OIkr
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUbjTGZBUn
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EpmNpBVku
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoCsURZIbI
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SU1W5PguU
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvNvERYpEE
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDVmKmFgDj
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWllzi3T63
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pA0F6XM0K
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR1AG9gRUz
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsswqo4xK6h
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV28KHVUte
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf1Cl4bVu0
男子循著這條小徑，往深處走去。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYKbQAaayx
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWzTa3iInx
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp4kYsZ8xX
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEWmlXNKxP
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfBE8VCAU3
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iinDCC457
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX47FUu0AC1
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55s5zRNErL
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMvHGLNqEJ
「是爺爺嗎？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY6tGwD3OH
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KIFgH9QUD
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk7Po9lYZ1
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZsjHE4LRa
「不是。」男子聳聳肩。「瑪莉？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhoXt5jiqw
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYUrts8JUx
「沒錯。」黃髮女子乾脆地回應。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlxfg9Gdvz
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OzFRK3fAX
男子從大衣的內口袋中，拿出一封有些皺褶的羊皮信封。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARUbNh45qI
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB5TfU8lAY
「妳爺爺的信。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LfIA5aWsl
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC3zJGmnia
「為什麼他沒有出現？」瑪莉冷冷地問。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhqh5l1N3n
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJgI5wGsid
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6weQJ1z8Qf
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAB3nDTaLD
「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！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrddV12etR
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSrPVTeVUQ
男子面無表情地將信封丟在地上，月光將它染上乳白。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pKyqPXkhE
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp32oh0kf0
「他說，如果妳出現在這裡，我一定要把信交給妳。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS1PsdMwgF
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVHWkE10c8
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIlgftZJ6W
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSm67Qs87h
瑪莉撿起那封信，收進上衣口袋裡。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEbWpzUJLL
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqyl6M6UOH
「你跟爺爺是朋友嗎？」瑪莉看著高大男子說著。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdk1HmNhBP
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjG0ivCO0k
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyX8aPbhkM
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZTdTz9XYd
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQO5x2Sh9p
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCNdfvYLnD
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDF1kIGgr4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5tFsCqwSS
「……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？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hCgJ9RmgC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qRRsbfaIq
「噬錢。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqGlDfnQC4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfnYLI3uyD
「我知道，我是說名字。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsoVy6avLw
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYouo3HBsl6
「伊森。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Co9HbJh9
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdBriTm0dc
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEpuVOTAg5
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5uvMs6DYM
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRS3JicC2K
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgcKWUwHM5
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaHEUOhAT9
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHF0rI0MDp
「聖誕節？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaJ1pj63lq
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7YM2Oob5
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbv1XrrihW
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqFrs4dFLO
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvPawp2Qtu
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWJK7FnS82
「聽起來真不錯。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCZIRHADS0
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBnt0ORETh
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiH3uLQJ4V
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuob1r4vOoj
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYoab9J3Xt
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuJqrP2GKx
「無聊的詭辯……！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ0Hn41sAw
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBRTQwy8H1
瑪莉大步邁向出口，徒留伊森一個人待在原地。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1VPquqniR
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ4ca8uRZe
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVydUYQLaY
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VUxm10hbR
＊53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE0zMFfImW
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuFon0IIBF
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5QLWJocwN
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTlI4quZ9w
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyj5gGddzn
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjPGBkNVWU
『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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgpyvdAIcm
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yd1UJLbE1
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVKIUsWkfF
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9pBKMN3CJ
真是傻瓜。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItyR1uhs7D
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AzMhBOtcv
瑪莉心想，拿出從伊森那裏收到的信封。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlucwqrDrk
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yjg2GDYBK
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？53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZk9SnJ6Ex
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3KX6bSDsg
瑪莉拆開了信封。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydB8xifpax
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTn0ljcyX3
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUPib2QmVs
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i4I78eQ8E
『親愛的瑪莉，放心，我還沒死。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjxldQNkDz
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqVsL4nNPU
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC99KeosVxt
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBoyu4cK2
『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。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJolgGW09H
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyLo69zKYH
信封裡只有一張信紙，寫的話並不多。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA1bJGIPkp
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a8Ywee9oF
『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。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlag2ZcpQOv
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaQhBAsrOa
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxmFAb6JHP
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNVOtwlpFK
『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。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxCSLujHJx
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CbcoV7ob4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOviu8axMmA
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqPSUlrasi
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX842iUhCm
爺爺……！53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71L14ifULH
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Td0ZBen3a
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMCS4KuMbM
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymrn8PbHsA
※53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FSYrDcZwS
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV3Wp7lp5F
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnrTLhjZqX
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdAEIDFW81
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFpIA2mh8z
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHYVx7WTY5
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4A46AYq6e
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr394Qk1G8
「那根本不是重點啊！」瑪莉咬著嘴唇。「我不要爺爺離開！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMblC0p6kZ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xS7RE95Oq
「……人不可能永遠陪伴對方的。生來死去，都是孤單的。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITnZoQHPby
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8nQ6EMwPc
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXjMkgHr2u
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6g0DRspLc
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKSN99NEEZ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIe6wUt1Jl
「啊？」對於突如其來的話題轉換，瑪莉有些反應不過來。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXGBa04zEo
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmGMbgBkTb
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQYo0rmPaU
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObp4rsw1Wq
「嗚！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJDnU9yNUR
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBi9xSXchx
瑪莉僵在原地，沒有移動。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrnmyG4uY4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtgQUu8jVD
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sz7KgNCuF
「記住，瑪莉，當有藉口的時候，不要害怕做自己真正想做的事。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9hOH6Lle8
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINmFTczEBy
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0A7kCLn7V
※53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lXBOxY8TC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWpFOT7IVR
「……！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQXAeKAc8s
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxqx7EGeyc
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbR6KXPuLa
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOvmq4twuc
『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。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLwgReguL6
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4DC4Pcsgk
瑪莉猛然站起，將毯子甩開，顫抖地看著自己的雙手。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWlj5yLbv9
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsSjGgI6Xc
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？53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpO28KsE5m
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevnIcigPTi
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlpkPFTH8H
＊53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJLoKMQ1Sv
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHCa5FeZsm
隔天，剛正中午的時間，太陽微微向西邊偏，陽光正十分刺眼。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQErSlDwTeR
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TsiyurtmG
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZojZlJh6F
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CSjyHB2L4
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69YbO6SQyl
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW42GshXTil
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgxE5wuWum
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSFCHkwSo2
「有事嗎？探勘者小姐？」伊森面無表情地問。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilvw20Oxnk
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN1m947zZD
「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！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3VRYK2n47
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFtoC4Xf5C
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYaMvuW54K
「為什麼？妳不是拆除團隊的一份子嗎？」伊森微微偏著頭問。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsXw5UNRuK
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrhE1c4Ytf
「因、因為……」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yb9kIwOoZ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fGUjR9wTR
『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！53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM21E7dNxKe
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFIw7374HD
「……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！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMDXT4BXfL
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUALBLgAfE
伊森露出淺笑，向前走，與瑪莉擦身而過。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr8P2sEE4d
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5pb84BfZm
「這委託，我接了。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28nOewR2bd
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AXJ2kkkrI
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9HSltV6co
「那個，」瑪莉轉過頭看著伊森的背影。「報酬……？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fnq3gkcTY
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqZ9HKsFEt
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKvMQ5tCt4
「已經收過了。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJieK0ASxVr
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuhls43Wkd
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwidNpVwAs
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ1pMQCEqx
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBedQhidIup
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTJgxEpPHW
「那老頭的鬆餅，實在有夠難吃的。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf13l5OO5I1
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQwKuEWPXn
＊53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQDhuPT1Yb
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtPuSQiXVw
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfnsMp43Hd
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t5fw2Cxks
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl59Nnc6pu
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxz4JlDdo3
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ8UbhXQ6j
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6jJtJQ1fk
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJMq8sg5OE
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiQleyWHoQ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWOjoAY02j
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklKXvBc4kh
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAVQXU5xEj
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bU3bwoqJt
「為什麼阻擋我們的工作？」他問道。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPnhKmK6nE
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuKMrnQYxQ
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XjtKUCMkM
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRT6eQQFN0
「……兄弟們，拿槍。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPXW1TRrVp
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIlPK8vjFH
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCyqaDcSDo
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWMRA9IYnc
「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！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBWys17F63
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTXtYUCpjX
伊森上衣的陣式，開始閃爍銀色和紫色的光芒。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgePnvmWhra
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDhF1jMA2d
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO3XQkwhKj
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AH9g83EhT
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE9KWOtgHD
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLinLjHRR3p
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb160PYjS4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRKI3h0MtK
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0m7cC44uM
「你們攻擊的動能……或者該說，『決心』，我就收下了。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAE00392uJ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbN8aZQrel
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqTI5sbnOr
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MnEvJ9C8t
「嗚哇！」「地、地面……！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfJgRHV7Pr
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaDGGpDckQ
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9pKWmiZU7
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuxz4w37JA
「陷阱？別慌張，我們重整態勢！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGMpn43cMK
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3piB82h7Z
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV7ymCjRyu
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGohs1w2U9
而伊森，已經站在他的面前，低頭看著他。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r9c8z4vWh
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFvQuQsLJZ
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr2CTtaCfo
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV7bGEUMf8
「女孩準備拆禮物的時候，別這麼煞風景。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUiSKcsCMg
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWx72o0r28
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0TC16Y89A
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkal6liRt8
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVOxGqJyGN
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS5wZnaMcZ
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKUJ6x1j9T
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK4otfHY4y
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinjplDiHKI
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfq8HkrhEx
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbEsBfzMCL
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqKsj9vlT4
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVcuJ5dFs6
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkisVvQSET4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K8FlhnJLx
＊53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgyWDerd2O
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR0ZcDi6r1
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz8DPxwixC
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuMI4bjkkF
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2o7k84t56
「你的傷……」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaUHMEEAEy
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFBVNLy5z9
「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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCE8e7MelH
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IvU6b2WbC
「等等，你不陪我看看爺爺的禮物嗎？」瑪莉有些困惑地問。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgENjwBPT8
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjseXmgmFt
伊森背對著她揮揮手。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Abe04wdiN
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5nPBk4aLU
「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。」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcbsVtceAC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOioyE3xMX
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrGdM0RFqU
伊森漸行漸遠。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cem6NgdRa
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k6kHJSHgs
瑪莉對著伊森，行了一個軍禮，接著走進百貨公司中。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeKnrM3w9t
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqCIZDefJ3
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxibwNHZqum
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax09KASveP
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1TRKgQvFl
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahEL4YAKyk
在百貨公司一樓廣場正中間的金屬圓盤，緩緩打開。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8ceHdJzHu
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWubjM6Fl0f
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAPw0D3Lf8
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxrxQAC8rC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qDExNzqnv
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdnGp8FCIA
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkUBFlGAWo
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgg6svFbQb
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv6WI2Tzdl
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwot4Z5vcZi
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH735jJrmC
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLuWDUx2N6
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwN5vjBvOG
『妳這傻瓜，一定還戴著我的眼鏡。捨棄我，走得更遠吧。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMLxkwOtGC
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ee9l8Tc68
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAVjYyrpbN
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtVGCjcEiw
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzAGd8LY8x
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gmRvgIjfw
「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！」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbkVdlv6RW
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GdgRa7zXk
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQXHY6LdWO
＊53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9V70e5x9z
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KOAVeirf3
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRwVIukgD4
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmxVwZh0dc
坐上客運的伊森，用手撐著下巴，透過車窗看向城市遺跡。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53ApAYCVQO
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs37XzVf39f
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTaf1t1Uy
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRxN7zg0o
過了一會兒，通訊接通。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp6JurIpXQ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBGjcqfbu6
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYJmq4vmtH
『伊森？真稀奇。』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2kiYQOt9
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4scrDHACRl
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw86yPObzjO
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。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkkiljhPuZ
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0qkETemgv
「晚一點，我想找人一起喝酒，老地方，如何？」53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNohgc4Uit
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenoUxz2UrA
『真稀奇，今晚吹什麼風？』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQveTzkowjU
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusej8Qjrzj
「聖誕節嘛。」伊森帶著淺淺的笑意說著。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9shiPQ4f8
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwva5YaF0hf
通訊那頭停頓了一下，接著發出嘲笑的笑聲。53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzpBXMFsFg
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnwXvRdNkX
『聖誕節？只是見面的藉口吧！』53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTup6g09pV
53Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4N6mj1JRf
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