他們偵測到O-4的浮動已經有一段時間，期間一直無法搜尋到牠。只得知許多場大規模脈衝多是O-4在場的時候，卻從來不得窺伺其本體。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iJ2mGSqDV
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaUEFDj4Zp
如今原因不明O-4停滯在某個場域從未動作，恐怕沒有比此時更好的時機。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZEKOUP9NP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsnufZM4Zx
而當他們派遣搜查員趕往現場後，首先映入眼簾的是座廢棄的小學校舍。仰首覆及視線與曠野的常綠樹，使人分不清外界的時間。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6tsWrTIDJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPoOYr6CNV
隨後步進毫無圍欄圈堵，看似狹小的門楣後方是極其深長的空間；興許因地處偏遠，內部破壞並不若想像中慘烈。淡棕色的水泥樓梯，經過廊道偶有的破洞，恐怕為積雪造成的損壞。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHBPJoIUZn
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTY2hNQ9mW
圖書室仍可見散落一地的斷簡殘篇，任由龜裂破損的窗櫺吹揚。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBADivSVWPR
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKNQnU238U
兩名搜查員環顧掃視時睇見地面有具中空透明的天象儀，除去軸心和經緯度以外，穿插在軸心的是一顆黃光球泡燈，圈繞在經緯度以內的則是被人手工彎摺的鐵絲，點飾著眾多銀色星形的亮片。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRo2gqcyN2
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSV8LP04le
而由球泡燈映射出的餘光尾端，兩名男孩正相互憑靠著彼此入睡。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaCedov0sX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH62JqmUtI
但當其中名搜查員再踏前一步，其中位男孩瞬即睜開了雙目。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuooaRgRxQ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUmUIMC8Gu
保方想要阻止下屬不要輕舉妄動時已經太遲了，縱使兩名男孩之間的聯繫呈現近乎透明；然而當O-4睜開雙目，浮動的孑立業經開啟磁場，隨時準備好下一次脈衝。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eoMLnDv8d
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSumC25Ltd
那猶如短暫凝滯的落雨，不過並非實體，而是只倒映在視野以內的非視之物。通徹得可以看透後方的物質，卻又閃熠著白光，嘗試聚焦時遂消逝不見。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmi8ABhFQD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjzZcLc8Jg
下屬拔槍的舉措幾乎確立了他死亡的時間，已是不可挽回的衰敗。對此男孩在以常人不可目視的速度潛行達下屬身旁時，保方僅只來得及以同樣的潛行方式：自身駐足在原地，屏息時周圍孑立頃刻積攢為人形，成為「侂」快步繞過O-4挾持那名猶在入眠的男孩。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfP8yGPWZVB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKAeUM55XO
如果不在第一擊便取得優勢，那麼無論下屬或他都將死在這裡。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYARS8BYo59
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdYRS7KDLX
現在，那對與保方相同，充斥著突出黑絲的雙瞳與他對視。O-4抽出穿刺下屬軀幹的尖椎狀臂膀，垂下手來不再動作。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBO6TK8vkB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEI8mtSVMu
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AN2RDoxZ4
於運送過程中男孩一直都沒有醒來，而不明白會否因為宿主的衰弱，即使鬆脫對男孩的箝制，O-4也毫無回擊的意圖。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAm2XGUKHU
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKitvqthwz
不過保方仍感覺到有什麼不太對勁。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMU6tVyQ8v
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8I9NXpVYk
按照常理宿主陷入昏迷期間，侂的動作也會遲緩下來，視意識淺薄的程度，也有立即消散的可能。可是O-4不僅行動自如，甚至緊緊挨傍在男孩身旁。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB48bSRvP9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoyskZFN9A
如非男孩本身的意念，難道是O-4個體自行作出保護宿主的判斷嗎？336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVgFNXLeJo
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHbKxcMlhP
這是有可能的嗎？明明作為侂？336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF51IBNZ5M
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDKdWc8I4r
保方原本以為他的疑問會在基地獲得解答。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sJIfN8rDd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEmyBzyGqh
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaASrWhjY0
「他們同化的程度幾乎已呈現一致了。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3YwxxX9Jb
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7n8U9odqr
「不可能。」周遭浮動的孑立相當穩定，那不是同化程度趨近的人該有的反應；而且要是如此，在他試圖要脅男孩時，O-4就不會停手了。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7DSlzg8wC
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmglk3x3hsl
面對保方斬釘截鐵否決儀器觀測的結果，名木野博士僅面無表情的瞥視他一眼。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi1cAXhvtA
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bJCGMCrAQ
「……畢竟我看不見，所以只能針對檢測到的部份向你說明。」
「左邊那一位是兩年前通報失蹤的男孩，這點沒什麼問題，問題是另外一個孩子。男孩名字叫作草薙，據悉他並沒有任何雙胞胎兄弟，我想和對方交手過的你也應該明白了，肯定是男孩失蹤期間遭受侵入，兩人已經開始共享記憶。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMumnNLCXXE
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCEAGLE8RF
「而且按照這種同化程度來看，要強制將侂削弱的話，男孩八成也活不了多久。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9IJqWCESM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KMkbdhDbJ
「……是嗎？」保方攥緊椅背，指關節微微泛白：「那麼，晚點我會去申請火化。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRHlxjQNdt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQaE3slf40
「不，我們要留待觀察。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSvdgTN8YK
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuO9ATgyYV
「什麼？」
「基地從未接觸過密合度這麼高的案例。然而他們密合度高得驚人，男孩卻仍明顯保有意識，這幾乎是不可能的。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oYf6ZuJDX
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxoZVbioRJ
「保方，你到達現場時，現場到底發生什麼事了？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pOUWXYtgZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMaygYTBCg
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYZsTdPGjI
現場發生什麼？336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyu0gSz6C4
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuciShfR7Hy
他才是最想要知道的那個人。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK5tw48wl9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oPhDmvdnt
保方獨自一人倚靠在櫥窗旁凝睇那對孩子。男孩的生命跡象保持穩定，不過依舊沒有要轉醒的徵兆，期間O-4靜候在旁，什麼也沒做，似乎對於他們人為什麼會身處在隔離室內毫無關心。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tdc8pMbiz
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxn9orNlzt
直到草薙醒來，O-4即刻傾前執起男孩的手為止。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIxEwS2Stc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cwkpnrIEJ
相較O-4表現出來的沉穩與淡漠，草薙的神情倒相當符合他的年紀。驚惶不安且無措。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E5yNbOJVc
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIB1oHie8b
隔離室內的動靜他們都可以接聽得到。保方聽見O-4沉緩的低語以安撫男孩的情緒。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxPNrkDLTs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2LWxDLzpI
在此之前侂從未有過這般表現。他可以想見名木野與其研究團隊驚喜交加的模樣。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0XfQ5nr5E
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c86bwrxYq
過沒多久便傳出名木野穿透天花板的嗓音，向兩人要求各別面談。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0yJHvpc4v
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubkQUOCKI8
男孩表現出超乎尋常的抗拒，他緊緊抓住侂的手，極度害怕與牠分離。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7r7rKgrkM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXOVWk6zoz
「別擔心，我們不會傷害你們任何一方。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqRz9AqPi3
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB1fYZIuYk
縱使那樣呼籲也沒用，最後還是在O-4的頷首下男孩才答應鬆手，任由區隔他們兩人的門各自關上。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5DbFPkqJ8
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtCnT1emue
在這之後離開男孩視線的侂即被團團包圍。但O-4高舉雙手一動也不動，那樣的身姿反倒使得其他作戰人員愕然。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp9RPkWSgB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX1q4nXjVH
「牠看上去胸有成竹。」名木野走過來與他會合。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11sYyC9xUt
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstRPAmNt02
「我們以往所見過的侂多遵循自己的慾望來行動，牠們並不會特別表現自己。是有特性上的差異卻沒有個性，但牠看來顯然不是這個樣子。保方，你有見過像牠這樣的侂嗎？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UyBW130F9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5vJDG8kdx
保方交叉雙臂環抱於胸。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKLDKmOu19
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtWGv3TGPA
他不認為博士在等待他的回答，是以決定緘默。相比O-4而言，草薙身上的發現便不那麼使人感到興奮了。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaeKKdxbNv
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEmeEDEwa1
褪去衣物後的草薙渾身是傷。甚而多處懷有宛若差勁縫合手術後的傷疤，表層肌膚摺皺且隆起、揪扯在一塊。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ0Y29QIPa
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogIefeFy8i
縱然O-4再現草薙的外貌，但並不包括過往的傷痕；和草薙完全不同，O-4不僅體態緊實許多，也毫髮無傷。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8uFy6ckYJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHnR3DCt9n
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49TLF0uAHr
當檢測結束，團隊遠眺男孩奔跑撲入侂懷抱裡的樣子。兩個孩子身高一致，畢竟O-4是依樣畫葫蘆男孩的模樣所生成；但當兩人實際站在一起後，因O-4沉著的神態，總有一方顯得較為高大並年長的錯覺。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVMbbS8u2w
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzyuH8XMxY
「主任？你想做什麼？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAhxySZiIw
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vdrXPcexc
僅見名木野驀然走到那對男孩跟前，並蹲下身子和那兩名男孩對視。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMYej8wGSd
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsscouIvkf6
他從手中遞出兩具護環：「你們願意加入我們嗎？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi1ZrZk07x
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVtVjGq80N
那樣的舉措使其他研究人員無不倒抽口氣。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKVQN2SXgz
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSjcX9OjRm
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbcvYLI6ME
「主任，你到底在想什麼？我們應該要盡快火化他們，要不等到意識完全同化的時候——」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v59UPspOq
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjkxalfFvY
「他們兩人的意識已經幾乎同化了。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRv1OSYPiE
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdoObOitul
「你說什麼？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiHMMNvycD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnzzBNbf8W
「別擔心，牠暫時沒有危害我們的打算。」名木野攤平桌上的地圖，那是他們標註O-4製造脈衝的多個地點。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYuY6NsRge
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlAM1m68Jm
「牠引爆的事發現場都至少有一具侂的殘骸。」名木野垂眼凝視以往標示出來的赤點：「截至目前為止他們兩人通力合作幹掉多少具侂了？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr0ajS4RBh
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR0YyXMFPD
「我想不必我說你們也明白的吧？這並不尋常。如果是我們的搜查員，為防止意識被剝奪，失去身體的主控權，凌駕侂的次數及時間都極其有限。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXDmCQ1mkJ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r33BTu1j9
「不過O-4現身多久了？男孩的意識仍然保持清醒，生命跡象也沒有問題。你們難道不為這個發現感到興奮嗎？如果可以釐清他們兩人之間究竟有什麼特別的地方，也許就能夠知道如何在不耗損身體機能的情況下操作侂的方法了。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADNU4aGPax
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vyZMe8RvI
研究人員各個默然的面面相覷。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZsH9yK2PH
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1DdDjvInW
「……也許這是一個陷阱。O-4行動表現以來一直都相當謹慎小心，也許是他們找到我們，而不是我們找到牠。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxn673ITpu
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt6kch39Ua
名木野沒有否定該名研究人員訴諸的憂慮，他率意的聳肩：「那麼，牠找到我們了。現在就來讓我們看看牠到底想要什麼吧。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu6O3ECWuE
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrE3ZU8wZD
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcEArnFWIK
基地寢室配備的床鋪為雙層床，不過兩名男孩並肩坐在下鋪床沿，緊挨向彼此臥躺。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1cL0vCiHm
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsXTtehahS
「透，我們為什麼會在這裡？」於黑暗中男孩的視線只隱約看見身前另外一個自己的輪廓。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJgplWwB1g
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgInU5iBrIE
「我們需要更多力量，秀一。」被男孩喚作「透」的牠說。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9nP5tsmyu
「外頭的傢伙光憑我們兩人已經寡不敵眾。但要是能夠利用那些人的話，我們絕對可以做到更多以往做不到的事。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m15xMtxzZ
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbX1GfPRd9
「……不過這些都只是藉口，」透拉過男孩的手攥緊：「我不想要你對我有所隱瞞，我知道你已經撐不了太久了。」並摩挲著秀一的後頸，兩人的額頭相抵。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcAiYUyGs3
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEStig9HgI5
「如果透仍在努力的話，那麼我也可以。」男孩的眼神堅定，語調也顯明不容得辯駁。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2rbopYF8K
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPw5KhJxoL
「我明白。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMZmASB5iP
「找到他，並摧毀他，是我們兩個人共同的願望，也因此我們兩人方能結合在一起。是痛苦使我們連結彼此，成為一個完整的人。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtM9xiFaDs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjfi4arSOM
透迎睇男孩的雙眼。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeiE878dcM
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk52jJP8sW4
「不過你也明白的吧？秀一，不管我傷得有多重，只要回到你的身邊就會沒事了。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH2hY57qBx
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTsN7vtYlX
「我就是這樣的存在。」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjChoLk9CL
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFWlxzHXIE
「所以你必須待在安全的地方才行。唯有這樣，我才能夠一直回來到你的身邊，直到我們完成未竟之業，我們會撐過去的。對嗎？」336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRbhd6IZFB
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH0togRaaY
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSnEWpy3Bt
他們說明草薙已經失去從前的記憶，僅記得O-4是他的雙胞胎兄弟，自他有意識以來他們便一直待在一起。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RWwugLG0o
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW3EGPpzwE
相反的，O-4對男孩的境遇知而不言，甚者有個可以區分牠和男孩之間的名字。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfVa7LOD6I
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MtbhiUJuX
曾經他以為自己是最貼近侂生活的那群人，不過在遇見男孩和他的侂以後，這樣的想法已然瓦解。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz32s0tCp3
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqcUS4hvWR
侂的成形在昔日被稱為「亡靈」。多是無法離開現世的依戀，有的與人牽繫在一起，有的則如喪失人格般暴走。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jHpezgcUL
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXqFHd5b1C
當然他們不會接受已與無稽劃上等號的稱謂；是以想方設法再造出一個新的名字，比較拗口的那種。然而私下人們依舊管祂們叫作亡靈，抑或分崩的靈魂。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0A7AMpHIy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki2xZ0nGEj
大多數像他這樣的搜查員，藉由凌駕侂以滅除過分干預現世的侂。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1le1YOpssy
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQdFdbbggR
他們多是試圖凝聚散落的孑立方能做到這一點，這即是代表不是每個人都像男孩的侂那樣，擁有極其鮮明的形體，卻不被有形的靈魂困縛。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZiWWo1xw1
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1hCkf86DY
一般侂的目色也不若O-4那樣有神。至少每次他在與侂接觸連結時，侂的雙目仍然呈現一片黑水，只有充盈滿溢的黑色絲線於頸後方飄蕩。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVkKXzUJsP
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPueSRsHA7A
他們彼此之間顯現連結的線也仍呈現墨色。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnSPIZmVB9
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ic1ryk2hF
應該沒有其他問題才對。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4y2WTGfq8
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4xw5OMOoK
可是當名木野詢問他有否見過如同O-4那樣的侂時，只有非常偶爾的時候，當他緊閉雙眼，他會擁有某種錯覺。336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjntzZXgRs
336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GbjxqBbvY
彷彿他連結的侂似乎也有一張掩藏於邃暗中的面孔，而祂亦承載千言萬語的疇昔，可以對他訴說。
