一輛老舊脫拉庫駛過未修築的鄉間小路,激得一陣塵土飛揚。顛簸的砂石路令載貨架上的兩人隨車體上下晃動,差點要甩出車外。須臾,卡車停在荒地邊緣的聚落,舉目所見一片濃黃——黃沙、黃山、黃屋頂,還有幾戶人家嵌在山壁,好似霧面金戒指鑲鑽。356Please respect copyright.PENANAzZpO3oIF2I
356Please respect copyright.PENANAiRysZg1pp2
「來,小心點!」356Please respect copyright.PENANA18CQa9LIdJ
356Please respect copyright.PENANAs3MB2xoJdE
一人輕巧落地,向貨架上頭的另一人伸出手;那人猶豫片刻,這才拉著對方的手跳下來。兩名來者白紗蒙面,外罩泛黃素布衣,彷彿要與這片景合而為一,雖不見面容,但能從身形勉強認出女性特徵。先落地的人拉開面紗,望著遠山不禁開口:「終於知道老哥為什麼特別交代我們入鄉隨俗。這裡的沙塵……咳、咳……真是非同凡響。」才呼個氣,嘴裡馬上進了沙,那人狼狽地趕緊把白紗再度蒙上。356Please respect copyright.PENANAgHrfbbwOcT
356Please respect copyright.PENANAxpp7hY6oWv
「學、學姊,我們這次的目標在哪?」後頭女子顫抖的聲音透露緊繃,袍子下雙手緊揪兩袖,在胸前不安地交疊著。會有這種反應也是當然,畢竟是她首次出任務。356Please respect copyright.PENANAgyT0Rqvhzr
356Please respect copyright.PENANABTEUhL3uip
「就在那兒,山的另一頭。」學姊簡短地說明,聲音聽起來興致勃勃,「我已經等不及了!」356Please respect copyright.PENANANkweBTykYJ
356Please respect copyright.PENANAnoJ8SjSMIx
兩人比手勢向當地司機致謝後,在原處檢查包袱內物品的狀態:羅盤、符紙、淨水、朱墨,還有一本手掌大小的筆記;全是驅魔道具。她們隸屬於「二十四柱」——由來自不同宗教、門派的奇人,以驅魔為共同目標成立的組織。而這次的任務,正是為偏遠小村驅趕妖魔。356Please respect copyright.PENANA7KDZTtYujX
356Please respect copyright.PENANATp0RK9nPca
「學姊今天沒帶桃木劍啊?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAtphOuVJ2Zt
356Please respect copyright.PENANAnUJI7K6AAc
「嗯,穿這身行頭,拿著不太方便。走吧!」356Please respect copyright.PENANArLeVJQcKeY
356Please respect copyright.PENANATwoPEykq5s
她們接著轉身向民居密集處邁步。帶頭的人昂首直視前方,跟在後頭的頸項低垂,不時左顧右盼,打量村內。雖說是聚落,白天卻不見幾個人影;只有零星走動的青壯年,以及坐在門檻盯著外來者的老人,小孩一個也沒有。即使風沙送來此起彼落的交談,依舊掩蓋不了背景喧鬧的死寂。學姊不疾不徐的步伐也遭腳下狂沙吸入,像失去心跳而渴望奪去一切的大地。356Please respect copyright.PENANARdXHZXF8En
356Please respect copyright.PENANAk73U5CTD42
太安靜了。356Please respect copyright.PENANASVgPB6vYtU
356Please respect copyright.PENANA2riWFnCmQx
揮之不去的無聲中,走在後頭、似是晚輩的那人沒來由地吐出一句,聲音初時細不可聞,後逐漸增為正常音量:「學姊……真的沒問題嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANA8DAOsBhUzH
356Please respect copyright.PENANApfCHp4ZMEL
這句「沒問題」不知所指為何,亦不知所慮為何,乍聽根本不知從何答起,可能連問的人都來不及細想吧。但身為老鳥的女性似乎非常篤定自己不會會錯意。356Please respect copyright.PENANASj6z5nCWwa
356Please respect copyright.PENANAexdYCI6NQc
「雖然才剛加入我們,不過沒問題的,老哥說妳很有潛力!」學姊頭也不回道,語氣難掩興奮。她平日總是如此精力充沛。356Please respect copyright.PENANAXDXl8nzJEq
356Please respect copyright.PENANABWUD9Oetk5
「還有別忘了規定啊,出任務要叫代號,『審判』。」她強調。356Please respect copyright.PENANA93X7PvClDc
356Please respect copyright.PENANAELHpsuGyuj
「是,學……呃不,『戰車』。」356Please respect copyright.PENANA8zSmXYjE2e
356Please respect copyright.PENANAeFZohXv7WG
「這樣就對啦。既然老哥把妳交給我,我一定會好好帶妳的,別擔心。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAgwMtiOe4uN
356Please respect copyright.PENANAN9cPW7xBjA
「是嗎……」但她辦不到,要如何不緊張呢?審判陷入沉默,揹著包袱緊跟在後。356Please respect copyright.PENANA6hAPPkH00Z
356Please respect copyright.PENANANPpz1wEjxt
356Please respect copyright.PENANAsNYNH9hn5s
兩人先向村長確認任務細節,以及關於目標的種種情報。按照常理,她們這種可疑人士難免吃閉門羹;但今天很幸運,村人願意相信她們,可能那位「老哥」事先打過招呼了。356Please respect copyright.PENANAJJSGFJw0uS
356Please respect copyright.PENANAHL7B0Al76c
這次任務很單純,只要把山上的魔物趕回地獄即可。傳聞牠常以巨型蜥蜴的姿態出現,趁著夜色將人類誘至山崗並吞噬;聚落不見兒童,正是此緣故。在當地居民指引下,戰車和審判爬上黃土塊構成的山,在即將抵達山頂時與嚮導分別。356Please respect copyright.PENANAtZiOFlRVEp
356Please respect copyright.PENANA8qteWNo6e3
「咱只到這兒了,再上去大夥兒都怕。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAW585tfBdli
356Please respect copyright.PENANAqBokoILAb0
「好的,謝謝您。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAlXDMyUlHhi
356Please respect copyright.PENANAHKXaVGii0b
半刻鐘過去,兩人已在小山頂上。山頂相當平坦,是個視野極好的高臺,山下村落盡收眼底。一側是無邊無際的黃色平原,另一側則蜿蜒連接遠處的更高峰。356Please respect copyright.PENANAQg9b2cqMox
356Please respect copyright.PENANAMx3uPlehk1
「可是,實在看不出這裡有妖魔居住。」審判收回目光,歪頭對自己的前輩說道。356Please respect copyright.PENANAX2Qmf45ugK
356Please respect copyright.PENANAzroVS2nUjc
戰車沒馬上回答,只是把四周掃視一遍,拉著晚輩走到高峰一側的角落:「有的,看看這個。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAPqfWPh6bzx
356Please respect copyright.PENANAp5L2itOfL3
她伸出一腳將地上沙土撥開,本來單調的平面漸漸浮現某個圖樣的輪廓,朱紅色的,像是烙在地母神身上的傷痕。356Please respect copyright.PENANAyztCUtabz9
356Please respect copyright.PENANAJOCUInvsnv
「咦?這是……」356Please respect copyright.PENANAA24KIxvzwF
356Please respect copyright.PENANAe5NLZ6pd61
「是的,妖魔確實存在的證明。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAPmC97WDNcF
356Please respect copyright.PENANARVERMk5dMe
半圓圖騰裝飾著古老的紋路,在黃土上顯得突兀。她示意夥伴待命,自己就地蹲坐,掏出口袋裡的護符,嘴裡開始吟唱不知名的咒語。審判在一旁愣愣地看著,看著戰車使勁將護符按壓在圖騰中心。霎時狂風大作,低頻轟鳴自腳下傳來,整座山開始震動。356Please respect copyright.PENANAXQ95PEV7WL
356Please respect copyright.PENANAwXILnb60XI
嗡——356Please respect copyright.PENANAyLJMOzO360
356Please respect copyright.PENANAArxp9Qr2Ev
綿延不斷,聲聲入耳。審判只覺頭暈目眩,不禁靠牆跪倒;眼前的學姊卻面不改色地持續低頭吟唱,彷彿沒注意到地震。356Please respect copyright.PENANAHK4RxbTPgA
356Please respect copyright.PENANACX4Hniw46g
「啊!」356Please respect copyright.PENANAteEVHXriJa
356Please respect copyright.PENANA53lv21oAXV
「學姊!」356Please respect copyright.PENANANUHemMBtDj
356Please respect copyright.PENANAexIB6nAlTT
「快跑!」356Please respect copyright.PENANASqScIJAABU
356Please respect copyright.PENANA2jSLeBZ4An
突然,戰車所在的地面崩解、塌陷,一切發生得太快,審判來不及動身拉住學姊,只能看著對方伴著土塊落入黑暗深淵。她本能地想往後退,卻因強烈震動而無法站起,於是匍匐爬行,攀上一塊較硬的岩石。356Please respect copyright.PENANAB6f9eGLQmi
356Please respect copyright.PENANAlFxTYCauQD
塌陷的區域似乎沒有更加擴大,但也無法靠近。審判緊抱著岩石,閉上眼睛,祈禱這突來的災難能快點平息。356Please respect copyright.PENANAMHFiC8qBNy
356Please respect copyright.PENANAFMhVYVijSG
356Please respect copyright.PENANArUYO6R7YQ6
356Please respect copyright.PENANAfDVemRsWR8
不知過了多久,等審判意識到的時候,轟鳴與震動早已停止。她仍跪坐著,嘴巴一開一闔,想大聲呼救卻說不出任何字句;雙目死盯著塌陷形成的巨大坑洞,無法接受所見的現實。356Please respect copyright.PENANAFwo8JSBGaO
356Please respect copyright.PENANA3gXwJ0O20K
這是真的嗎?學姊掉下去了?她還活著嗎?不是說會很順利的嗎?為什麼?356Please respect copyright.PENANAPaRXGLeTUz
356Please respect copyright.PENANAotmLbfJCXS
齒縫間流瀉的語言像蜘蛛絲般細微:「學……姊……」356Please respect copyright.PENANA1hIlqQHNla
356Please respect copyright.PENANA25FZlCj41j
她慢慢爬近坑洞邊緣,朝陷入的深處探頭,內部依舊一片漆黑,就像無底洞般。她側耳傾聽,也聽不見聲音。這不是真的。她想,一定是在作夢。但颳來的風沙刺痛著臉頰,不斷提醒她正視現實。356Please respect copyright.PENANA0En5biBvbo
356Please respect copyright.PENANAtwaTls4Wuv
不……356Please respect copyright.PENANAKOJtIggdXt
356Please respect copyright.PENANAaq7lZIzyUt
「戰……車……學姊……」356Please respect copyright.PENANAQHjSxA12ej
356Please respect copyright.PENANAnozSQADxqe
該不會就這樣結束了?356Please respect copyright.PENANAJL2ac1DOPv
356Please respect copyright.PENANAZqM7cpdXCy
「審判?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAIzxSkNT2MG
356Please respect copyright.PENANAxE0oNYLZvW
熟悉的語聲自地下傳來,上揚的語尾帶著一絲疑惑。本來精神恍惚的審判立刻跳起來,湊回坑邊。356Please respect copyright.PENANAfWXvvRnoKm
356Please respect copyright.PENANAXKXcw75Lao
「學姊!是學姊嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANASTxcY3yGhU
356Please respect copyright.PENANAuoTXPvJHyt
「別再學來學去了,是『戰車』!規則!」356Please respect copyright.PENANAQFSuK4gyw5
356Please respect copyright.PENANAMi7YqmzFgJ
「是,戰車!」太好了,學姊還活著。總算鬆了一口氣。356Please respect copyright.PENANAA5ICHkbZKQ
356Please respect copyright.PENANA3V9adtJx4B
「剛剛叫妳都叫不動,就在裡面晃晃,結果手電筒沒電了。可以幫我把包包裡那支丟下來嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAMc9qxCFg3v
356Please respect copyright.PENANAfRWi2C56NX
「好,」審判聞言,拉開背包拉鍊,「可是我看不到妳。」356Please respect copyright.PENANA4qDKUttbSJ
356Please respect copyright.PENANAH6kWStf2WV
「沒問題的,妳只要丟下來就好,我看得到。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAOr3BrJNI0J
356Please respect copyright.PENANAqWEiPch86F
審判聽話地將嶄新的手電筒丟入黑暗中,沒多久內部果然射出一道光。只見戰車故意把手電筒放在下巴,讓燈光由下往上照亮她的臉龐,模仿老牌靈異劇裡出現的鬼魅:「恐怖唷——」356Please respect copyright.PENANA8qwVf4TNBN
356Please respect copyright.PENANAgA0BKd2QHr
審判見狀,心中的恐懼完全煙消雲散。本來想問學姊有無受傷,看來暫時是不必了。356Please respect copyright.PENANAjMaAQ0qEmw
356Please respect copyright.PENANAxHsWeFzqC2
「現在怎麼辦?」雖然有帶逃生用具,但這裡沒地方固定繩索。審判思忖著,一面期待著對方回答。然而對方想都沒想便下達這樣的指令:356Please respect copyright.PENANAbWVVOCSmEw
356Please respect copyright.PENANAq62cvy1iCw
「妳跳下來吧。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAM6HM0mOXCv
356Please respect copyright.PENANAhFYlYXdH8z
真的假的?從這裡跳進去,這種高度肯定會出事。審判看著戰車,對方卻像個沒事人似的活蹦亂跳。畢竟自己從來沒跳過這麼深的洞,說不定其實沒那麼危險,只是又黑又深,著實讓人害怕。「妳說什麼?」她決定再進一步問。356Please respect copyright.PENANACt7gLjER8I
356Please respect copyright.PENANAhqanHJfLTY
「我會施展風魔法,減緩掉下來的衝擊。所以,」戰車頓了頓,揮揮手電筒,「快跳吧,親愛的審判。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAxJcnlZU6WM
356Please respect copyright.PENANAHVrw1zECg9
既然經驗老到的前輩都說到這個地步,哪還由得晚輩拒絕?356Please respect copyright.PENANALLYJhKrn1h
356Please respect copyright.PENANAVEy5tAwgGc
「嗚……」356Please respect copyright.PENANA6FDmnIlQIc
356Please respect copyright.PENANAQcDbv4Ch2r
只能硬著頭皮,跳了。356Please respect copyright.PENANA530DrrQHhp
356Please respect copyright.PENANAwLhRcZOiEC
356Please respect copyright.PENANAPyUkKeOmWp
「太陽還沒下山,那小東西應該在睡覺。我們抓緊時間,速速解決!」356Please respect copyright.PENANAowlZTnKPlM
356Please respect copyright.PENANAKVz8nsLcqn
戰車口中的「小東西」,指的是這次的任務目標,那個妖魔。那明明就是個巨大蜥蜴!審判心裡想。但瞧她一派輕鬆的模樣,乍聽之下,旁人說不定會以為她倆在參觀動物園。356Please respect copyright.PENANAAaLaVYAIby
356Please respect copyright.PENANAHzlqT1RuiW
「學——」她聽見戰車「嗯哼」一聲,立刻改口,「戰車,我覺得……應該謹慎一點……比較好。」356Please respect copyright.PENANACZHj0riPc0
356Please respect copyright.PENANA7QoNAjqw0d
「我很謹慎呀,只是沒必要這麼緊繃。」放、輕、鬆——戰車轉頭貼近審判,輕聲說道。審判能清楚讀到對方自信的笑容。356Please respect copyright.PENANA9TnTjt1aeU
356Please respect copyright.PENANAX6VGqFezGv
戰車舉著照明走在前頭,審判四處張望,跟在聚落裡時一樣。坑洞下的空間十分單調,同樣是黃土構成的石室與通道,沒有任何迂迴,似乎直達目標。356Please respect copyright.PENANAnbWFDSN5Q8
356Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2FBtTbqGy
「剛剛走到這裡燈就快熄了,所以後面我沒進去。」說罷,戰車停住,又從口袋拿出些物事,握在左掌心,把右手的照明交給審判。356Please respect copyright.PENANADKs2VOWodh
356Please respect copyright.PENANAt04cGZrGuP
「從現在開始妳替我照路,盡量不要發出聲音,聽我指示。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAF2Y1MC0o7R
356Please respect copyright.PENANAswGkxUmZ9Q
身後的審判點頭,小心翼翼接過手電筒,照亮十來步以外的前方。戰車維持領頭的位置,右手不知何時抽出了黃色符紙,嘴裡振振有詞。她的左手依舊包成拳頭,審判透過微弱的光線,辨識出物事的正體:幾顆常用於園藝,顏色不一的小圓石頭。356Please respect copyright.PENANA84ApYqPZ7y
356Please respect copyright.PENANAbLoTVbQqrd
通道盡頭指向一開闊空間,黃土的牆彷彿隔絕整個宇宙的法則,時間靜止般無聲。兩人在踏入的瞬間不約而同摒住氣息,默不作聲,面面相覷;良久,才並肩走到石室的中心處。但戰車又獨自往更裡面走,停在燈光外的某處。356Please respect copyright.PENANAmbZ45Vap8i
356Please respect copyright.PENANA9LMlzc9D87
身為晚輩的審判自然加緊腳步跟上,光線落在學姊腳前,照到地板於牆面的接縫。審判遂提起手電筒,沿牆壁緩緩向上,滑過戰車吃驚而瞪大的雙眼,直到燈光與學姊的視線交會於牆上一點。356Please respect copyright.PENANAJwj4lw6NY1
356Please respect copyright.PENANAQjXduq6PAd
那是面高聳、巨大的牆,其強烈的存在令觀者無不自覺渺小;但牆上的東西更使見者驚駭不已——蜥蜴,一隻閉眼的蜥蜴,身體有著濃綠的光澤——雖然乍看是平面畫,牆面並無隆起,但那細緻的鱗片反光讓她們堅信,牆上的畫必定是活物,只是尚未到結束酣眠的時刻。356Please respect copyright.PENANAeVLpgx3OJ1
356Please respect copyright.PENANAKRdrJAaCTm
審判的手冷不防被拍了一下。她回頭,學姊一隻食指放在嘴唇的位置,接著輕輕按下拿著照明的手。也許是怕強烈的光線刺激到牆上的魔物吧。356Please respect copyright.PENANAD1K9pO48hZ
356Please respect copyright.PENANAfCtaFr3zvj
戰車比手畫腳,示意晚輩打開包包,取出黑褐色的八角匣;審判毫不猶豫打開它,開始照學姊設計的法陣,以粗鹽粒在地上勾勒線條。每條邊線的轉折處,都用小石子壓上一張符咒。戰車面對高牆,盤腿坐在陣中心,手上拿著長尺般的黑色木板,又開始誦唸經文。356Please respect copyright.PENANAdYw9oOsUie
356Please respect copyright.PENANAHiBEzGyCzw
就算是菜鳥,也能感受到儀式有多慎重——戰車的「老哥」好像說過,能以具象在人間現形的「魔」,實力多半不容小覷。經文的內容審判並不清楚,畢竟以前的她對道教科儀興趣全無,本身還是半個無神論者,不像其他成員擁有各自虔誠信仰的神靈,甚至能操弄術法。356Please respect copyright.PENANAWD3VEMEBQt
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審判想得正出神,忽聞戰車低語道:「審判,搖鈴。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAuwjv0r8iSr
356Please respect copyright.PENANAlCQ1D1jgQo
別想那麼多了,等任務結束再跟大家請教吧。審判手執淨水瓶,一手搖響黃銅製的法鈴,沿著外圍開始逆時針走。儀式進行得非常順利,牆上的妖魔還沒甦醒。356Please respect copyright.PENANA8OK6YbbJrc
356Please respect copyright.PENANAhydxsNhDp8
第二圈開始,她傾斜水瓶,讓瓶中液體一滴一滴滲進粗鹽佈成的陣線。偌大的室內只有法鈴清脆的音色,以及戰車的念咒聲。審判踏著貓步,假裝成不存在的影子,保護結界內的施術者。356Please respect copyright.PENANAEIGmpag50B
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忘記外面的時光流逝,恍惚間也繞了數十圈,戰車的咒語好像永遠不會完結。慢慢地,她開始有了倦意,手上的鈴仍搖動著,瓶子也還穩穩拿著,眼睛——356Please respect copyright.PENANAEw51K2RUGj
356Please respect copyright.PENANAe7QXEZAdlL
碰!356Please respect copyright.PENANATb3ucWtQc8
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「審判?」356Please respect copyright.PENANA3YVs36QSW0
356Please respect copyright.PENANA4kvls5bPGh
「抱歉!」356Please respect copyright.PENANASBgeUm6xOi
356Please respect copyright.PENANAVJQYZQZxGE
僅僅剎那間,疲勞便奪走意識。審判立刻睜開眼,發現自己倒在地上,趕緊掙扎爬起。手撐地板的同時,赫然發現水瓶落在牆壁的正下方,倒下來的身軀不僅把陣線擦掉,還把壓在石頭下的符紙給弄破了。356Please respect copyright.PENANAeKf0iF4fT7
356Please respect copyright.PENANAbKssQOsnMr
「妳還好……」「吧」字還沒說完,戰車突然住口。氣氛變了,她和後輩兩人不約而同朝壁上一望。356Please respect copyright.PENANAVzM0a9olKz
356Please respect copyright.PENANASlnIcsnKWI
牆上栩栩如生的平面畫消失得無影無蹤,手電筒下幽暗的室內突然燈火通明,她們卻位於暗影之下。兩人不敢直視頭頂,心裡卻都早已有數。356Please respect copyright.PENANAduBuIboGd6
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「一、二、三,跳!」356Please respect copyright.PENANA5OZppSHb9k
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兩人向不同方向跳開,回頭一瞥,原來的所在位置出現俯衝而下的龐然大物:綠色的身體、紅色著火的眼睛,還有噴著刺激氣體的鼻孔。洞窟的主人正尋找下個攻擊目標。牠扭身轉頭,便鎖定審判,朝她撲了過去。356Please respect copyright.PENANABBVgcWk2Fq
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「呀啊——」356Please respect copyright.PENANAHioZHFu6m2
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審判面對前所未見的景象,竟兩腿發軟癱坐原地,完全放棄抵抗。她緊緊閉眼,衝擊的邊緣,僅存的意識這麼想著:「要結束了嗎?我短暫的人生。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAzRJtKIEm2U
356Please respect copyright.PENANAgGuMwcXmRe
這一生到底在追尋什麼?要何去何從?即使沒有答案,她還是很高興能遇見現在的夥伴,算是可以瞑目吧——只不過,腦海始終沒出現走馬燈。356Please respect copyright.PENANAMaHg8ZPlXF
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「哈哈,蠢蛋!看這邊!」356Please respect copyright.PENANA374PugRA7V
356Please respect copyright.PENANAPYhafxNtn6
聽見騷動從好段距離外傳來,她再度回神,發現自己還活著。真是太好了,不禁如此慶幸著。對面的學姊不知用了什麼方法讓蜥蜴轉移注意力,一妖一人正上演著你追我跑的戲碼。356Please respect copyright.PENANAbl6c6YHI8N
356Please respect copyright.PENANAwvXPZTOZ1q
她剛起身,聽見遠處學姊的吶喊:「審判!」356Please respect copyright.PENANA430hoSnwfT
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「沒時間封印牠了,直接開門扔下去吧!」356Please respect copyright.PENANAmtvzXknEgX
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「開門?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAFh3wdEiTDT
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「當然、是、地獄之門,妳還記得吧?」戰車在遠處 S 形奔跑,間或離地躍起,回頭施放閃光。356Please respect copyright.PENANAzkDXLRwTsR
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「嗯。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAW1iUyJE12C
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「交給妳了,動作要快。」她閃身,直接朝蜥蜴眼撒下大把的鹽,那妖魔馬上發出震耳欲聾的怒吼,感覺更生氣了。356Please respect copyright.PENANAdeoJbRD8RF
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「是。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAd2d1OF6UNi
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審判奔回行李旁,急急忙忙翻出另一樣武器,一把匕首。是向「老哥」借來的拋棄式道具嗎?總之並不像道教用來驅鬼的。她沒繼續多想,必須趕快行動;會變成這樣都是自己害的,所以要彌補一切以示負責。356Please respect copyright.PENANAUyWffjWiCS
356Please respect copyright.PENANAk5gM3MB3Os
她顫抖著,有些害怕,感覺臉頰濕濕的,究竟是何時流淚的?她深吸口氣,吐出,然後高舉利刃——此時應該唸咒的,但她沒學過咒語——使勁朝左臂刺入,緩緩流淌的鮮血沾溼衣袖、染紅白鐵。審判片刻也不敢猶豫,開始繞起原來勾勒的術法陣,以鮮血代替粗鹽的位置。鮮血滋潤的部分發出藍紫色螢光,當最後一筆畫上,陣形圍起的內部在類似瀑布的雜訊中應聲改變,化成類似宇宙的虛空。356Please respect copyright.PENANAk4xqAvLkUG
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「嗚,好痛……」頭還很暈,天啊、地啊都在轉啊。356Please respect copyright.PENANANa2ZC6ddKm
356Please respect copyright.PENANAfk6Tbq7H0e
她緊壓右臂的傷口,奮力朝戰車的方向嘶吼:「成功了!成功了!」356Please respect copyright.PENANAlwld9PIGgY
356Please respect copyright.PENANABVjVdjip5W
審判昏倒前的最後一幕,就在學姊拖著妖魔朝眼前奔跑的慢動作播映中結束。356Please respect copyright.PENANAuwfUgn7bxi
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她收拾好行李,將儀式的痕跡清掃乾淨。石室再度回歸黑暗闃靜,方才的惡鬥猶如遙遠而逼真的幻覺。真是吃不消啊,每次驅魔都如此疲憊;特別今天還遇上起床氣特大的妖魔,思量至此便覺活著真好。她搖搖頭,拿起地上的手電筒走向倒臥在地的另一人。356Please respect copyright.PENANA4xRzSPobk1
356Please respect copyright.PENANAQizAHMO7FL
她拍拍同伴的肩膀:「審判、審判,好點了嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAjAiyWuBW08
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「咦?學……姊?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAnCfvRrwMkg
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「規……算了,任務結束,隨便妳叫。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAgw3faUxZ5I
356Please respect copyright.PENANAyxvqNHjdAf
喚作審判的年輕女性爬起來,又幾步踉蹌地差點倒下。她的頭好暈。「學姊,我們成功了嗎?」她努力回想,伸手打算抓住包袱。356Please respect copyright.PENANATMqBttHIY6
356Please respect copyright.PENANAqf0B39IIrh
「妳不用背啦。這麼虛弱,沒休克死亡已經是奇蹟了。」戰車稍稍退後,讓審判撲了個空。對方重心不穩,向旁邊歪了一下,她趕緊回去攙扶。好在她還會幾招急救用法術,否則後果不堪設想。356Please respect copyright.PENANAANhbkV30yf
356Please respect copyright.PENANAgaF4ULRWKU
「妳昏倒的時候,我把小東西送回去了,真是千鈞一髮啊!」戰車背起背包,見後輩一臉沮喪,又補充道,「別把錯誤都攬在自己身上,誤判情勢我也有責任,下次會用更穩的方式解決。妳回去多多鍛鍊,別胡思亂想。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAHpKQKYyePA
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「嗯。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7Gh5NwxrQ
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她手插著腰,燈光聚焦在唯一的通道:「很好。比起這些,先想想怎麼離開這裡吧。」356Please respect copyright.PENANA5cDLa7HXjg
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在飛行術法的幫助下,兩人很快便循原路下山。視野與來時截然不同,此刻黃沙滾滾、漫天塵土,已無法眺望山下的情況。她們筋疲力盡,只想早點回家休息。356Please respect copyright.PENANA6kNti5mcvg
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「現在幾點?」356Please respect copyright.PENANADZ0QtoHKOr
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「請等等。是中午十二點……咦?十二點?」審判拉開衣袖看看手錶,又從口袋拿出手機對照時間:分秒不差,日期也相同。過了那麼久還是中午十二點嗎?明明感覺像去了半天!356Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3fDsgLcJv
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「果然,看樣子山上的時間似乎是靜止的,因為魔力的關係;現在應該恢復正常了。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAgN3JdQl8ZG
356Please respect copyright.PENANAOsTUp5J4xe
審判與戰車肩併著肩,回到平地的黃土路面。雖然看不清前方,兩人還是憑著記憶朝村落方向邁步,一面輕鬆談論著午餐的菜色,還有之後要交給組織的報告書。356Please respect copyright.PENANA1wCZZu1QEO
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「喂——」356Please respect copyright.PENANAljyWbUP3Gl
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遠方傳來一陣呼喊,聲音對審判來說十分熟悉。而聲音主人似乎離她們越來越近。356Please respect copyright.PENANApD1mU6TUlg
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「喂——有人嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAYRSIFp9H6j
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剪影漸漸清晰,像是自河砂淘選的金屬。對方似乎不只一人,是的——一輛越野車映入眼簾,兩人站在車前,一人坐在後座——注意到走來的她們,站著的其中一人大動作揮舞著手臂。審判終於認出前排的兩人:戴高禮帽、披黑斗篷的女性是她的老友,「魔術師」;旁邊的男性腋下夾著繪圖板,身材高大,似乎是傳說中用畫筆驅魔的專家,「吊人」。356Please respect copyright.PENANA5KZC9AmdrR
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「審判,原來妳在這裡!」魔術師眉頭揪緊,一臉不悅,「妳跑去哪了?電話都打不通。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAXcCIl8cTSz
356Please respect copyright.PENANA6MRJyCBgtH
「對、對不起!我們剛剛還在山上。」審判慌忙賠罪,心裡很高興能見到他們,「可是,你們怎麼會在這裡?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAUVAqDdCcz7
356Please respect copyright.PENANAGe8bjus3qQ
「『死神』說有點在意這邊,想親自來一趟。」吊人簡短答道,聲音不帶感情。瞧那一臉不悅,看樣子是被「老哥」逼來帶小孩的——吊人口中的死神,就是戰車素日叫慣的「老哥」。356Please respect copyright.PENANA4y2gbmSbBh
356Please respect copyright.PENANA8nuAE7TqkG
見吊人似乎不打算說下去,魔術師接著道:「是這樣的,戰車在車站等半天沒看到妳,就打電話給死神;死神派我們出來找人,順便協助驅魔。」356Please respect copyright.PENANAxe8W5PXtnR
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「是這樣啊……」356Please respect copyright.PENANA9OahCkBpim
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魔術師繼續說:「對啊,我們想妳可能先走了,打算開車去村子,繞來繞去卻連個破房子也沒看到。」356Please respect copyright.PENANA4x9ckipLNM
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「村落在那裡啊,」審判指著他們來的方向,「剛剛居民帶我和戰車到山上……咦?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAY0vwKqBDCz
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等等,他們是不是提到了「戰車」?356Please respect copyright.PENANAHSgqU0BbaH
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「什麼跟什麼,我們就是從那、邊來的,什麼都沒有,沒有房子、沒有人。」魔術師說得斬釘截鐵,「而且,戰車現在人就在車上,怎麼可能跟妳一起?應該是妳搞錯了吧?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAy0hr4bXe8f
356Please respect copyright.PENANA1o5RHkfjmB
「可是我剛剛真的和戰車一起走進村子、一起驅魔啊!」審判回頭查看,學姊還站在她的背後。嘖,搞錯的人是他們吧!356Please respect copyright.PENANAnDySEbYkm2
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「發生什麼事?」後座的人似是被吵醒,帶著鼻音跳下車。她背上掛著一把桃木劍,看到審判便急急跑來:「審判,我們找妳找好久!不是說好在車站等嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANAMJsVlXNQ0e
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面罩拉了下來,是戰車學姊的臉。356Please respect copyright.PENANA1tpopbr34F
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「……嘿,審判,怎麼呆呆的?妳後面是哪位,朋友嗎?」356Please respect copyright.PENANARpKoQ4OMbC
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然後他們都看見了,審判身後的人影,也是戰車的輪廓。356Please respect copyright.PENANAR1zBDTZNzs
356Please respect copyright.PENANAtUNkcLl3Z7
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