下城區的咖啡館又漲價了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAOATv1ODW5j
99Please respect copyright.PENANAIfB9wkzsxr
我看了一眼遠超預算的帳單,再看了一眼臉上掛著專業微笑的店員小姐,得出此一結論。99Please respect copyright.PENANAQIa5swjHNq
我倆保持著同樣的表情對視著,在旁人看來,就像是一對情侶。99Please respect copyright.PENANAb9r7IYCTao
99Please respect copyright.PENANAfDPblaI04j
她的微笑自然而可人,一方面是因為她練習已久,另一方面是因為帳單不是她付。99Please respect copyright.PENANAvS5jEKRpUI
而我不管笑多久,應該都不會有人為我付帳。99Please respect copyright.PENANA30Zmhltvof
99Please respect copyright.PENANA55gJ6GM3y4
「這是怎麼回事?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAb5NgTfkbNx
眼見再這樣下去,她能笑到下班走人;我只好主動打破僵局。99Please respect copyright.PENANAyzaYMc9ICt
99Please respect copyright.PENANAoiozjedUky
「因應供貨問題,我們的飲品費用有所調整。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAgLORzvCajT
「那麼重要的資訊,是不是應該要在我下單前提醒一聲?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAmdp7jTL87M
「畢竟先生您是不看菜單的熟客,我想就不必唐突了。」99Please respect copyright.PENANASi4cWCLpBx
99Please respect copyright.PENANAUuTtXC21qw
熟客比較好宰是吧。99Please respect copyright.PENANAyvtGroqwVu
我尚待爭辯,但她的手已經放在通知混成騎士團的警鈴上了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAfwP46xUWtQ
99Please respect copyright.PENANAynFcKXFmSF
於是這個月房租又沒了著落。99Please respect copyright.PENANA8gKV2Eamy2
正當我思考又要從哪兒省出來錢的時候,店員小姐叫住了我。99Please respect copyright.PENANAnSVdKkt0Z0
99Please respect copyright.PENANAho1IJpbZ7C
「先生,我記得您是登記在冊的冒險者對吧?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAc4yaRH3RjC
她朝任務委託板指了指。99Please respect copyright.PENANAjn0cey0369
99Please respect copyright.PENANAWVJWVHSFfG
當年為了能隨意進出上城區,我也曾裝模作樣地在行會大樓(ギルド元宮)登記了自己的職業。99Please respect copyright.PENANA3VKNU0QiPB
可是,我是為了安寧才定居下城區的。野外的冒險生活早已不在我的規劃裡了。99Please respect copyright.PENANApGrY8H5P5v
……說得好像我有規劃過一樣。99Please respect copyright.PENANAHi8NbfBene
99Please respect copyright.PENANA5yrrxDMBVt
「是又怎樣,不是又怎樣?」99Please respect copyright.PENANACHDBkKvzhu
「如果您確實是冒險者,那這個報酬不菲的委託也許能助您解決燃眉之急。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAIHOVSt5PgH
99Please respect copyright.PENANAu8OO09hJoH
看著她一如既往的微笑,我就知道定非好事。99Please respect copyright.PENANAp99fCx1GvV
99Please respect copyright.PENANAUPe9utJWa8
「前往阿伊恩薩烏斯南部地牢B3F,為礦工們運送換洗衣物並帶走他們的舊衣服。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAugUYXlVOO3
「沒錯。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAakdJpXWGMY
99Please respect copyright.PENANAyiLg5EHB4L
「首先我要冒著鐵火山的火山灰和中暑的風險,前往那個什麼阿伊恩薩烏斯(アイアンサウス),也就是我們俗稱的南國。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAHb6XsUL2km
「沒錯。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAczNNXg8KaQ
99Please respect copyright.PENANAp6BTQmRt68
「然後我要深入危險的礦洞,躲開高速行駛的礦車,穿過潛伏在黑暗中的魔物群和掉進去的話轉眼就能把人融成骨渣的鋼水。」99Please respect copyright.PENANA1PVliBd7xG
「沒錯。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAsvRU6dmUle
99Please respect copyright.PENANANSMR6sL385
「最後我要找到一群臭烘烘的礦工,取回他們滲滿煤渣和汗水的衣服,原路踏穿地牢返回地面。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAWh2yuyQAOM
「沒錯。」99Please respect copyright.PENANA562KGOUbcM
99Please respect copyright.PENANAsNMFkOHt2H
「妳還有什麼想對我說的嗎?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAH5wguY3Hfp
「十四萬G。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAyX9THrXJu3
「現在付嗎?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAGnlVIiPfQp
「不。舊衣服拿回來了才會付帳。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAI73mZnUeQe
99Please respect copyright.PENANAvxbEnV0Epv
店員小姐以一貫的微笑結束了我們的交鋒。99Please respect copyright.PENANAq7rKr3WMpf
99Please respect copyright.PENANACvl1naKzGQ
* * *99Please respect copyright.PENANAKybN28pmKN
99Please respect copyright.PENANA6vIuvZ03tN
南國的路況是四國之中最為惡劣的。99Please respect copyright.PENANARljQpSJLOK
越過南方海角,就能聞到濁重的空氣中混著遠方飄來的火山灰。99Please respect copyright.PENANArKmqrbCEho
呼吸不暢不說,氣侯炎熱也不說;這兒的魔物還他媽一點都不怕人。99Please respect copyright.PENANAxyBhL9TB3o
盤踞在鐵火山的大鷹,城外築巢的爬蟲,甚至還有莫名其妙的熱帶飛魚。99Please respect copyright.PENANAxtTIYTWSQZ
我在阿高普路斯就沒有見過一個出身南國的冒險家是想回鄉的。99Please respect copyright.PENANA6g2urL163u
99Please respect copyright.PENANAjVVUhC3GOC
路過鐵火山,看見一男一女兩個冒險者正在喘著粗氣。99Please respect copyright.PENANApPi4jTG4g6
我問你們兩個活寶怎麼挑了這麼一片福地打野戰,他們卻說這是在轉職。99Please respect copyright.PENANAmbNwKYT37q
99Please respect copyright.PENANAM9zczEuvED
南國旅遊發展局要求,每個戰士系的冒險者要轉職都要為國家無償掃蕩鐵火山上的魔物。99Please respect copyright.PENANAwHDLxPOqvN
據說這跟在南國街道上剝海膽並列為最受歡迎的旅遊項目。99Please respect copyright.PENANAfgovKF1736
99Please respect copyright.PENANAsUHHaXtx0X
要不是他們提起,我還真不知道南國還有旅遊發展局這檔事。99Please respect copyright.PENANAFsklq6GwLi
想來跟西國的勞工保障局一樣,是官僚帶薪休假的所在。99Please respect copyright.PENANAU6WMO9cIli
99Please respect copyright.PENANA42ctMgycGp
閒談一輪,他們又要拖著疲勞的身軀去打熔岩皮露露了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAcsHKpP0TRj
我說你們別去了,沾一身火山灰然後回去回報任務算了,反正世上也沒人看得出鐵火山的魔物有沒有減少過。99Please respect copyright.PENANABDB0iiR9Fl
他們一聽有理,便找了間鐵皮小屋纏綿去了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAyuPk80o4pI
99Please respect copyright.PENANADlotYP8GFZ
* * *99Please respect copyright.PENANAHdgsndViCO
99Please respect copyright.PENANA4sBAfXobhi
南國的咖啡館遠沒有阿高普路斯下城區的熱鬧。99Please respect copyright.PENANANTHMCeSfgw
櫃檯接待是個沒勁的小哥。他有氣沒力地從我手上接過委託海報,然後指了指旁邊一個同樣有氣沒力的女孩子。99Please respect copyright.PENANAM91NxgAEr4
我這才知道,原來專業微笑的難度不比當冒險者低。99Please respect copyright.PENANAMl57jg6MuP
99Please respect copyright.PENANA9z6oWfLWH2
「妳是委託人?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAikIG7g9qL6
我朝女孩問道。99Please respect copyright.PENANAqZRwVRj73i
99Please respect copyright.PENANA8EQ54QM8Xf
「不,我是遊客。99Please respect copyright.PENANAYgIYcnoZJS
委託人是南國旅遊發展局。99Please respect copyright.PENANArvW1f9tF37
換洗衣物在這。去吧。」99Please respect copyright.PENANACeWVlM2gkt
女孩頭也不抬,甚至都沒有移動過目光。99Please respect copyright.PENANAoXm5fzsyIU
99Please respect copyright.PENANAHD3AC1lfB2
「所以這他媽就是魔法系冒險者的轉職要求嗎?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAbOVGdjPupd
看著她魔法師的裝束,我好像懂了什麼。99Please respect copyright.PENANAfTxJaq8g1c
99Please respect copyright.PENANAspfpbimmfi
「不是。我早就轉了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAUps9wxBd50
你去還是不去?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAyiJYDRz9BL
女孩毫無生氣的眼神打消了我繼續聊天的意願。99Please respect copyright.PENANAuVMFgtnC0t
99Please respect copyright.PENANAGgEorKBz90
* * *99Please respect copyright.PENANAJWgft0GP3O
99Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8boXALAFu
南國旅遊發展局真是一個神奇的部門。99Please respect copyright.PENANAqyszwRVCyJ
在閃躲鐵軌上飛馳的礦車時,我如此想著。99Please respect copyright.PENANAObXjEpHMn2
礦車的前端貼著南國旅遊發展局的標誌。如無意外,這會是被礦車撞上的冒險者生命中最後看見的影像。99Please respect copyright.PENANApiAwCcTn0s
99Please respect copyright.PENANATniaFhnxl4
南部地牢也被旅遊發展局作為RX系列工程機器人的廢棄場所。99Please respect copyright.PENANAC4QQJPKq4m
然而當局的廢棄標準也相當獨特,每一台廢棄的RX機器人都會在廢棄的一段時間後暴起傷人,沒有例外。99Please respect copyright.PENANAOMPoEwKzVa
說不定我該旅居此地,把這個部門的事跡結集成書,也許以後就不需要再幹外送專員了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAQEulfsM0hO
99Please respect copyright.PENANAop3x08LnBj
在越過南國當局設置的警戒線,踏進下一層地牢的一刻,一切有趣的見聞都戛然而止。99Please respect copyright.PENANAygmORXkfKr
人類的活動足跡被拋在了身後,只剩下自己的腳步聲和鋼水沸騰的聲音。99Please respect copyright.PENANAsflcJv6lAq
99Please respect copyright.PENANACVrIAmQPEs
穿過一個窄道時一個不慎,與一頭魔物打了個照面。99Please respect copyright.PENANAKGAD74BmKV
身手果然不如往日了,警覺性也比顛峰時期差的不是一點半點。99Please respect copyright.PENANA4WYMcKTiNZ
我緊張地掏出了多年不用的短劍,但魔物卻悠然地走開了。99Please respect copyright.PENANApjjNUWjUtU
牠不怕人。我甚至感覺到牠的目光有一絲輕蔑。99Please respect copyright.PENANAn0yEveAAnN
我想了想,覺得挺有道理的。即使牠什麼都沒有說。99Please respect copyright.PENANA727vGkrbIL
99Please respect copyright.PENANAaE5DAhsfw7
我加倍小心,緩緩前進。99Please respect copyright.PENANAJaRx1evAlE
彷彿又回到了當年作為冒險者的時光。99Please respect copyright.PENANASif8CMNIgP
為了一點酬勞走遍險地,偶爾有人作伴,但更多時候都在自己消化孤獨,或讓孤獨消化自己。99Please respect copyright.PENANAyxsCUJtgDN
最後也沒賺到什麼錢,連下城區的房子也沒買上,一點變故就能讓我重操舊業。99Please respect copyright.PENANA1M8cRxCdVR
99Please respect copyright.PENANAKKRG1xAPfX
曾經我也嚮往冒險,嚮往變強,也一度癡迷於上城區的生活。99Please respect copyright.PENANAZJwd0yIHa1
擁有過自己的飛空城,每天睜眼就朝北國圖書館(エンシェントアーク)跑,一頁頁的傳奇故事不說倒背,至少也能默寫出來。99Please respect copyright.PENANAiMVJT0UE50
99Please respect copyright.PENANA0oGLHtFwVs
但原來我不曾認識自己。99Please respect copyright.PENANAjaeLgkoThk
次元鯨魚的到來,使我跟過去的一切匆匆道別。99Please respect copyright.PENANAy1jcgjgVck
現在我不過是自己生活中的過客。99Please respect copyright.PENANAYNHWR2iNM7
別說再次橫穿三界,憑現在的實力,也許跟這兒的魔物放對都可能翻車。99Please respect copyright.PENANAhnlNpWcvYU
99Please respect copyright.PENANAsvSC4zMAqM
踏過機械時代的遺物,總算是到達了最底層。99Please respect copyright.PENANA16xvuEDGpy
說實話,我很佩服在這兒工作的礦工。99Please respect copyright.PENANAHvGE0a5gio
對於冒險者而言都有點嚴荷的環境,他們竟能數十年如一日地堅持工作。99Please respect copyright.PENANAZMOYcYVQHa
99Please respect copyright.PENANA1X7cdZLByy
礦工的位置並不難找。99Please respect copyright.PENANAk18AKRD4pK
挖掘的聲音就在不遠處,人造光源反映出的微光也是肉眼可見。99Please respect copyright.PENANAGd4Em7BcrA
99Please respect copyright.PENANAbCD78gHQbU
「換洗衣物到囉,南國旅遊發展局向您問好。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAdH7UiHMjLg
我模仿店員小姐的語氣打趣道。99Please respect copyright.PENANAsgjXyWZEG3
99Please respect copyright.PENANA6QDR3oN9pr
「辛苦了。一路上不簡單吧?99Please respect copyright.PENANAqSYuZ581ou
坐下休息一下吧,我們有多餘的水和食物。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAK8sXAi8zDz
一名礦工放下了工具,回頭向我說道。99Please respect copyright.PENANAyQfPWRUjHh
我也就不客氣,找了張簡易椅子坐了下來。99Please respect copyright.PENANAoIVfXSlENs
99Please respect copyright.PENANATc7T8n8kIy
「你以前也是冒險者吧。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAGU703QonDz
我沒頭沒尾地問道。99Please respect copyright.PENANAG0dTltRp5s
99Please respect copyright.PENANA3weSJ1fZF4
「你怎麼看得出來?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAE1PKUaJsZP
礦工搔了搔頭,點頭認可。99Please respect copyright.PENANAsLIQxWkhRP
99Please respect copyright.PENANA1b4BfWxJ66
「在這兒工作可不簡單。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAVNjY2eMX2e
我盯了盯光照不及的黑暗。99Please respect copyright.PENANA0dPyIoWTbh
雖然眼睛看不見,但不懷好意的魔物氣息撲面而來。99Please respect copyright.PENANAfA6L387Sce
99Please respect copyright.PENANAmepDsmVjtj
「是啊。偶爾還要打一架驅趕築巢的魔物。99Please respect copyright.PENANAA82BrppVSz
別看我這樣,以前的一點本事還是沒忘的。」99Please respect copyright.PENANA0TzdODRB14
礦工秀了秀自己的肌肉。99Please respect copyright.PENANALGWv2beS0e
99Please respect copyright.PENANAxi2uiDVIci
「你以前是幹什麼的?為什麼現在能耐住這種生活?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAZCcgegL1g2
其實這種問題沒什麼好問的,可我就是忍不住。99Please respect copyright.PENANA1XriCNwPDn
我以前不也在北國圖書館裡樂此不疲嗎?現在還不是在這臭烘烘的礦坑裡。99Please respect copyright.PENANA1LhS2MVe6s
99Please respect copyright.PENANAbkxFJDyqbP
「哈哈,說來慚愧,我以前雖說是個冒險者,但其實更貼切的稱呼應該是……戰士們的零件。99Please respect copyright.PENANA5uOKoGoZic
你聽過火焰之心(フレイムハート)嗎?鐵匠們代代相傳,能引出薩拉曼達之力的秘術。」99Please respect copyright.PENANARMPtILelj3
99Please respect copyright.PENANAKwVrLL4dU7
我點了點頭。不但聽過,還時常借用。99Please respect copyright.PENANAde7i34DyP2
戰士系的哪能缺了這個。99Please respect copyright.PENANAhSF7K79PAy
99Please respect copyright.PENANAPSU4fgvtGi
「那你也知道我的「冒險」生活都是怎麼渡過了吧。99Please respect copyright.PENANATWC0Dhnhov
憑依在某個人的身上,不停地引出薩拉曼達之力,往往不知道怎麼回事,一天就過去了。99Please respect copyright.PENANAXt5AyQxP5i
也不是說有什麼不好……首先,這讓我不懼怕機械性的勞動。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAY7A6npOumf
99Please respect copyright.PENANA43rje5Y5mr
我看了看他擱在一旁的鐵鎬表示理解。99Please respect copyright.PENANAMd7RC3tVMb
99Please respect copyright.PENANA1oZCfEiadK
「只是有一天,感覺冒險沒什麼意思了而已。99Please respect copyright.PENANAwkQ2BHDPZp
我回到了家鄉,也就是這阿伊恩薩烏斯。99Please respect copyright.PENANAvbjcnwGaHY
正好南國旅遊發展局在招人,感覺自己幹得來,就去應徵了。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAOuurMI2dO4
99Please respect copyright.PENANAJJhKJU3lib
我揚了揚眉毛,不掩飾自己的驚訝。99Please respect copyright.PENANAK2YF8zuz9d
99Please respect copyright.PENANAkJcVGXAx8b
「竟然真有人在阿高普路斯待過之後還想回來。」99Please respect copyright.PENANARv91sYmZpO
99Please respect copyright.PENANAXq0AikCdCO
他笑了笑,不知道是同意還是不同意。99Please respect copyright.PENANAwMsLDTYlzu
99Please respect copyright.PENANATLDL1zihKs
「別這樣說嘛。說實話,這個地方我挺喜歡的。99Please respect copyright.PENANAENPAfwXLcV
每天結束工作後,都能聽到上層區傳來的笛聲。99Please respect copyright.PENANACnd1nVjDzY
配合大工坊不時響起的機械音,其實還挺有韻味的。」99Please respect copyright.PENANA6oT5ZbvJ6E
99Please respect copyright.PENANAD5TBhuiRfx
原來如此。99Please respect copyright.PENANAto0RfVcPye
那笛聲我也聽過。不知何處而起,又往何處而去。99Please respect copyright.PENANAuxtVLh6VyB
99Please respect copyright.PENANAhyfaMd5bMK
「而且喜歡這地方的不只我一個。99Please respect copyright.PENANAveXpHjQXOJ
把衣物交給你的那個潔癖小姑娘,她也是南國出身。99Please respect copyright.PENANAV6wqSuO4Ms
雖然她老是抱怨,但她從未離開。即使她本來有能力想走就走。99Please respect copyright.PENANA9yarPQS0iT
有幾次我還看見她在上層區練笛呢。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAaDuNMCPAZN
99Please respect copyright.PENANAldEKw4kd7F
這世上冒險者真多。99Please respect copyright.PENANADLMWVL3zEJ
送貨的是冒險者,挖礦的是冒險者,洗衣服的也是冒險者。99Please respect copyright.PENANAJLxVrxU78A
說不定我該找台 Thank Object 拆開看看,說不定裡面也是個冒險者。99Please respect copyright.PENANAHenWBEqMcu
99Please respect copyright.PENANAraW1YykRTu
多年前,席捲三界的次元鯨魚事件落幕後,很多冒險者選擇了退役。99Please respect copyright.PENANA1EtRlA1310
波瀾壯闊的故事到了尾聲,世界得到守護,生活也趨於平靜。99Please respect copyright.PENANA6nZFMs6Xzn
不過,很多人仍在尋找能讓內心安寧的故鄉。99Please respect copyright.PENANA7RVW0mCycN
99Please respect copyright.PENANAJOGNr4Q8ra
「其實我能看出來,你仍是個冒險者。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAX3qIAaQW46
礦工大哥忽然來了這麼一句話。99Please respect copyright.PENANAaobXBUoujl
99Please respect copyright.PENANA1hz8tJc3Nq
「哦?怎麼說?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAr6EvEmseM1
我不置可否。99Please respect copyright.PENANAKviYVH5GKb
99Please respect copyright.PENANA34Gv3twTPL
「因為你和她一樣,仍舊在以自己的方式幫助他人。99Please respect copyright.PENANAfLJKa4hNnv
告訴你個秘密,南國旅遊發展局非冒險者不招的。99Please respect copyright.PENANAccpyE817zs
因為這群呆子,見到事情決不會袖手旁觀,永遠對世界充滿熱愛。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAmuooddcDEy
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* * *99Please respect copyright.PENANArDQhtG4zwR
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礦工大哥人是不錯,但汗腺不免也發達了點。99Please respect copyright.PENANAjs2NoNB7ei
掩著鼻子走到咖啡館的途中,不但旁人紛紛避讓,連地牢的魔物都自覺退開。99Please respect copyright.PENANA7HBrjVk6ko
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「唷,動作挺快嘛。99Please respect copyright.PENANAZUUx0EfMVY
這是報酬,拿去吧。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAuvQiS1ZDOd
委託的女孩雖然仍然冷淡,但面不改色地接過了令途人側目的臭衣服。99Please respect copyright.PENANAQDvNwOQsZf
在礦工大哥那邊得知內情後,她身旁的笛子以及清潔乾淨的換洗衣物令人感到親切。99Please respect copyright.PENANAGympsLtmip
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「能問個事情嗎,前冒險者小姐?」99Please respect copyright.PENANA6SgazCFvDy
面對我突然的提問,女孩有點吃驚,臉上的表情也沒之前那麼令人難以接近。99Please respect copyright.PENANADyHxzsAAH3
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「……看來是有人多嘴啊。99Please respect copyright.PENANA4K1vavATJe
問吧。能答的就答,不能答就不答。」99Please respect copyright.PENANAQDryur52fs
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「妳當年的冒險生活有什麼輝煌事跡嗎?」99Please respect copyright.PENANAEatAG5xyH0
和礦工大哥聊過之後,我開始對退休冒險者的生涯感興趣。99Please respect copyright.PENANAj3BPfkrHeG
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「說白了也沒啥。也就是某次在圖書館打出來一件魔法道具,賣了十來億G之後提早退休回鄉了而已。」99Please respect copyright.PENANApb0WaUbMrP
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看來前冒險者之間還是有差距的。99Please respect copyright.PENANA5aXb22eNkm