2157年9月9日,早上十點,商業中心B區,機場723Please respect copyright.PENANApDPtbISs4v
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第一次見識到完整的水果塔,尼可拉斯驚訝得忘記掙扎,此刻的派翠克就像披著孔雀披風的王子,受彩繪玻璃上的薇奧拉庇護與加持。他扯掉黑色口罩,用一模一樣的臉面對紅鶴,藍色的頭髮與眼睛不遜於粉紅色。723Please respect copyright.PENANAuP8teIzOpf
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「……哼。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAdUTFBJj6I2
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另一邊的紅鶴沒有廢話,拔了刀,修長的身影單腳一蹬、直朝派翠克衝來。他對派翠克的敵意似乎不只因為「蜘蛛」,還夾雜了個人恩怨,看來自己的外表被人仿冒,紅鶴的心裡很不是滋味。723Please respect copyright.PENANAKGXg23knIS
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面對紅鶴的刀,派翠克不慌不忙、張開手,身後的彩繪玻璃與他的動作同步──女人敞開擁抱,一把藍色的狙擊槍出現在派翠克手中。他抬手,用槍身將紅鶴的刀擋下來,清脆一響──723Please respect copyright.PENANAEwaYvHU7rd
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「鐺!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAdPPhtazcdb
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刀砍在槍上,兩張一模一樣的臉靠得非常近。突然,十幾把白色狙擊槍憑空出現,如孔雀開屏般綻放在派翠克身後。紅鶴瞪大眼睛,所有飄浮在空中的槍枝竟一致瞄準自己,自動扣下扳機──723Please respect copyright.PENANAx332P9UeMJ
723Please respect copyright.PENANAuEjdS8CKsu
「鐺鐺鐺鐺!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAzhIN9o3inM
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紅鶴往後跳,在空中擋下成千上萬發子彈,同時,彩繪玻璃有了新動作──兩片玻璃飛噴而出。派翠克扯開尼可拉斯之前包紮的繃帶,玻璃割破他的傷口,紫色蜜液以不尋常的量湧出。感覺不到痛的派翠克往空中一撒,蜜液流入每一把白色槍枝中,變成了子彈。723Please respect copyright.PENANAmmFTPbbqXR
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“Garlanded Apollo”723Please respect copyright.PENANAdStAhmWKvz
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派翠克不知道自己在說什麼,但腦海莫名閃過這幾字,而這幾字也讓他覺得自己越來越強,體內的水果塔力量不斷湧現。723Please respect copyright.PENANAXVoYDEpU9b
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“Abraham’s deaf ear”723Please respect copyright.PENANAe8PUrhQaLW
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派翠克衝到紅鶴面前,趁紅鶴擋子彈的空檔,槍身向上一勾,槍托正中紅鶴下巴。紅鶴悶哼一聲、整個人被打到空中;派翠克趁勝追擊,直朝紅鶴的腦門開槍。723Please respect copyright.PENANAv6uPz9aAS7
723Please respect copyright.PENANAmj5l8lrvza
「……!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAhTKC2jHdbZ
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紅鶴立刻躲開,蜜液子彈射中他的外套、飄來一股腐蝕味。重整態勢的他大笑、張開八根蜘蛛腳,朝派翠克的方向俯衝,打算將對方的臉扯爛;往下墜的派翠克抬手,所有飄浮在空中的白色槍枝準備就緒,在蜘蛛腳襲來的瞬間扣下扳機──723Please respect copyright.PENANARE0oUI9PCJ
723Please respect copyright.PENANAA2xQbCh4Qz
「鐺鐺鐺鐺鐺!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAYemmUjDyxV
723Please respect copyright.PENANAYEcDyiOdt6
派翠克的子彈全被紅鶴的蜘蛛腳擋下,紅鶴的刀向下一劈,派翠克用手裡的槍擋下,並在落地的瞬間單腳一蹬、翻到紅鶴身後。一藍一粉的身影在空中纏鬥,派翠克躲開紅鶴的蜘蛛腳,槍口朝後又是一發;子彈被紅鶴的刀擋下,另一根蜘蛛腳從其他角度襲擊。因為久戰不利,派翠克竟收起槍枝,趁勢抓住紅鶴的蜘蛛腳、一口咬下,連觀戰的尼可拉斯都嚇了一跳。723Please respect copyright.PENANAkQeCa86tYJ
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「……!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAJO7FFSi6im
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紅鶴立刻發現不對勁,他一腳將派翠克踹開,卻已經來不及──派翠克的唾液也有毒,被咬的蜘蛛腳開始潰爛、變成恐怖的深紫色,毒素以不尋常的速度往紅鶴的本體蔓延。紅鶴不得已,拔刀、忍痛將中毒的蜘蛛腳砍斷。723Please respect copyright.PENANA0U45ml9WnH
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「唔!」723Please respect copyright.PENANASMD060mQbA
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雖然抑制毒素蔓延,但紅鶴的汗流不停、咬牙切齒。尼可拉斯想起之前在監獄時,自己也曾斷他的蜘蛛腳──尼可拉斯大膽推測:蜘蛛腳是紅鶴的弱點。若能短時間全部砍斷,八隻腳或許都不能再生,擊敗紅鶴的關鍵就在這兒。723Please respect copyright.PENANAYWAeRVgfSV
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「真難纏。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAdqYMM6h958
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派翠克的眼裡閃過殺意,紅鶴擅自吻尼可拉斯的行為讓他十分憤怒。他揮動披風──彷彿變成武器,被披風打中的紅鶴就像被砍了一刀、胸口衣服破裂。派翠克拿出槍,直朝紅鶴的心臟扣下扳機。723Please respect copyright.PENANARR76P1F5Kt
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「……!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAVszRFbKzrd
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雖然閃開,子彈還是射中紅鶴的右肩。毒素從肩膀暈開,中毒的紅鶴整個人摔到地面,右手開始脫力、握不住刀,所有蜘蛛腳像失去知覺般攤在地上,動也動不了。723Please respect copyright.PENANASB3PxkGQDC
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“Look in my heart, kind friends, and tremble,”723Please respect copyright.PENANAaXJIwyAF54
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派翠克張開雙手,公爵夫人的彩繪玻璃浮現在身後,七彩的光芒透過玻璃照射下來,同時,上百支白色狙擊槍出現在派翠克兩側,一齊瞄準。背光的派翠克臉上矇著陰影,低吼:723Please respect copyright.PENANAnYjCbyKGVq
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“Since there your elements assemble.”723Please respect copyright.PENANA8tDZqcTk9j
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語畢,所有槍枝扣下板機,子彈在空中爆裂,大量的紫色蜜液鋪天蓋地般淋下。看著空中的派翠克與紫色液體,紅鶴的眼神漸漸渙散,時間彷彿慢了下來──他想起一百年前的某個早晨,某個海島國家的某座城鎮,天空也下著恐怖的酸雨。723Please respect copyright.PENANAMjv4x22mGh
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──想死的話,我不會阻止你喲。723Please respect copyright.PENANA98Vm4x7L3h
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身體被毒素侵蝕,體內出現微妙的化學反應。紅鶴難得恢復理智,沒了平時瘋瘋癲癲的模樣,意識比以往任何時候都要清晰。他想起白絃、想起他美麗的姊姊,心很久沒像這樣糾結,原來自己還有「快樂以外」的情緒。723Please respect copyright.PENANAzEQqU4Pd4z
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「姊姊……」723Please respect copyright.PENANAaOWRa8ytJk
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連聲音都變得不一樣,紅鶴平常的聲音像鈴鐺一樣尖銳,如今竟變成沉穩的男聲,這才是他原本的聲音。723Please respect copyright.PENANAqcV3Wz5PZ2
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「……姊姊,我喜歡妳,喜歡這樣溫柔的妳。」723Please respect copyright.PENANANIpUe6RkEs
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──我要結婚了。723Please respect copyright.PENANA3oq3tkJCNH
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「妳遇見了姊夫,他比任何人都愛妳,也讓妳學會愛人。我甘願作高宇維的Knight,因為我答應過姊夫。他要趁自己活著的時候給妳幸福、讓妳成為全世界最快樂的人。我不能打擾你們,不讓艾莉絲體系有關的人事物接近妳。」723Please respect copyright.PENANA1FVfNZOdCU
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──小悠變了。723Please respect copyright.PENANA01RrsHfHRr
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「姊夫死了,妳恢復往昔的所有身份,而我也不需要隱瞞。幫高宇維工作,我近距離觀察到他們的醜陋,肯定他們是導致妳不幸的源頭。我放棄Knight隊長的身分,開始了我的計畫。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAodtK2ye1KC
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──為什麼事情會變這樣?723Please respect copyright.PENANAPgo299HfxE
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「他們以為自己能超越神,犯下滔天大錯;一百年過去,他們非但沒反省,還妄想破壞妳的規則,為此不惜欺騙後代,用『神與畜』這樣的組織神格化自身,將不支持他們的十大家族打為異端,合理化自己的野心。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAKhW7smAhpj
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──「白色仲夏,睡在書上,瘋的貓」,你們沒有資格擁有水果塔。723Please respect copyright.PENANASs3oPjnd9e
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「我要殺了那群一丘之貉,包括繼承他們水果塔的後代。唯有讓全部水果塔消失,妳才能脫離名為『仙境』的噩夢,恢復自由之身。」723Please respect copyright.PENANACH4CAR3HoH
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──妳也不配稱作「艾莉絲」。723Please respect copyright.PENANA3ktBzLW6Mx
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「尤其是,導致所有悲劇的那個女人。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAtraNfGjZ4M
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「她折磨妳、奴役妳,糟蹋妳的溫柔。就算退居幕後,還是在透過高宇維散播不幸,想從妳身上拿走她一百年前沒得到的權力……開什麼玩笑!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAwH0Jg4uTrE
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紅鶴抬頭,全部的紫色蜜液突然停滯在空中,周遭陷入死寂。「框啷!」──派翠克身後的彩繪玻璃出現裂痕,應聲破裂。723Please respect copyright.PENANAgnC6Ap4VZh
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「紅鶴……不,這是里奧取的名字,我不叫紅鶴!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAQsaEOWGZh5
723Please respect copyright.PENANAuItN2CQY1u
背上的蜘蛛腳全部消失,紅鶴扶著右肩起身。他瞪著派翠克、瞪著尼可拉斯,用自己的聲音、自己的表情、自己的意識,大吼:723Please respect copyright.PENANAFGdmbbKVDh
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「我的名字是羅笙!」723Please respect copyright.PENANANzZjOSNoiC
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「以我之名發誓,我會殺了艾莉絲!殺了她的走狗!」723Please respect copyright.PENANABxTCQWJMcc
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「把艾莉絲體系全部殺光!一個也不剩!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAwZRON2YeW9
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語畢,派翠克的封鎖線全數斷裂,大量的蜘蛛絲從紅鶴腳下噴出。整個候機室開始震動、地板裂出巨大的坑,所有屍體、椅子、擺設都落入坑中,牆壁與天花板開始崩塌,碎石被蜘蛛絲捲到四面八方,紅鶴人也被蜘蛛絲包了起來、形成一個巨大的繭。723Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2c7mpJ4i5
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「唔啊!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAAkJs8CUqK9
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派翠克的槍枝盡數消失,體內的力量彷彿被吞噬,整個人摔進坑中。腎上腺素飆升的尼可拉斯掙脫束縛,飛快衝到派翠克身邊、抓住他的手。派翠克孔雀羽毛的披風因為震動脫落,掉到深不見底的坑洞裡。723Please respect copyright.PENANAEBqtYJabVy
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「尼可,這是怎麼回事!?」723Please respect copyright.PENANA4l5QeCbbxP
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「我哪知道!快上來,那傢伙瘋了!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAdVwluLbEmn
723Please respect copyright.PENANAzBqoA9J1Np
尼可拉斯將派翠克拉到地面,同時,紅鶴的蜘蛛絲彷彿有生命,派翠克才剛被拉上來,蜘蛛絲便猝不及防地撲向兩人,派翠克和尼可拉斯也被纏成一個繭,視野頓時陷入一片漆黑。723Please respect copyright.PENANAfvvoPKK2zW
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「……!?」723Please respect copyright.PENANAHfb1gy9Qr2
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十秒後,繭破裂,景色恢復明朗,兩人卻被帶到另一個空間。音樂聲劃破空氣,剛剛的候機室完全消失,屍體、桌椅之類的雜物也不見,四周垂落暗紅色的帷幕,牆壁鑲嵌了數百音樂盒。尼可拉斯和派翠克正站在十公尺寬的舞台前,舞台背景是一尊巨大的女人雕像,派翠克一眼就認出雕像的臉。723Please respect copyright.PENANAKzCoHb0BIz
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「白絃姊……?」723Please respect copyright.PENANAYAXkjK5oC1
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沒錯,陌生的空間竟有一尊白絃的雕像。雕像的白絃宛如飄浮在空中,她雙腳微彎,身體微側,兩隻手藏在長長的袖子中,頭髮像被風吹起般披散後方。她閉著眼,像在聆聽什麼美麗的音樂,嘴角帶著淺淺笑意,莊嚴如神明。723Please respect copyright.PENANAToNl5iAqxE
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「我以為,只有李博洋能憑空創造空間。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAjQhKaxIk6h
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剛才明明在候機室,如今竟來到這樣一個地方。尼可拉斯驚訝到嘴巴微張,他問派翠克:「紅鶴不是水果塔後裔,為什麼可以……?」723Please respect copyright.PENANA6jaQ4gZrUt
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「『蜘蛛糖』。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAqeFwQWZrQM
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派翠克說出了令尼可拉斯陌生又熟悉的詞。723Please respect copyright.PENANAVSUvo7ReEp
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「除了水果塔,還有一種藥物叫『蜘蛛糖』,屬性和水果塔相似,被注射的人會出現蜘蛛的特徵,最明顯的就是蜘蛛腳。」派翠克壓低聲音:「但它的副作用比水果塔強,幾乎沒有實驗體成功存活……至少我以為沒有。」723Please respect copyright.PENANArFM4xnTtgS
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尼可拉斯終於將所有線索連貫起來,「所以,曾經是Knight隊長的紅鶴,離開艾莉絲體系後注射了蜘蛛糖,變成今天這個模樣?」723Please respect copyright.PENANAIuqnqPuVtb
723Please respect copyright.PENANAxFTyyYKFmy
「是的。」派翠克說:「跟他的打鬥讓我發現,他的意識非常混亂。雖然在笑,卻不是發自內心,他無法控制情緒,應該是蜘蛛糖的副作用之一。但剛剛的聲音、表情都和打鬥時不同,恐怕……!」723Please respect copyright.PENANAfquf92gEZb
723Please respect copyright.PENANA2YcSMVt4oN
說到一半,派翠克察覺到動靜、將尼可拉斯護在身後。紅鶴不知何時已經站在舞台中央,身上穿著一套粉紅色的英倫風制服,粉紅色的頭髮竟變成耳朵以上的長度,臉似乎也比之前年輕,看起來就像高中生,硬要和派翠克做出區別。723Please respect copyright.PENANAOr0xVLpnQo
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「……。」723Please respect copyright.PENANAWtvRcebwI3
723Please respect copyright.PENANAu5GdUu6old
紅鶴竟然沒在笑,他的表情非常冷漠,這也印證派翠克剛才沒說完的話──723Please respect copyright.PENANA2aqvx7gYa1
723Please respect copyright.PENANAf8eeukdv9F
723Please respect copyright.PENANATgaM5ClpxE
「他的意識已經克服了蜘蛛糖。」723Please respect copyright.PENANArD98UvtpQy
723Please respect copyright.PENANAaEwRaA35Dw
「獨立於水果塔之外,實力與白絃相當。」