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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aPlJUgseh
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「來，小心點！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGPF8k6ZzB
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aoCuXPGOq
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG7aQ8iQr9
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GMygqgtL9
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc7Vv1lFe1
「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！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuUkojC0Kl
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEz63LyfnY
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnF2No2SEV
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「學姊今天沒帶桃木劍啊？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySuBZwvBHr
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupQAiGP8dn
「嗯，穿這身行頭，拿著不太方便。走吧！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLG9KANfmc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eneGo4Q9o
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB0ZBUSzNO
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太安靜了。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKuB8f6WBO
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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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpGPmINLqw
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUpKbuL4qQ
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAShXWhgEVg
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGn7X6MDUd
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwaHQtiYHt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujPUdmUUBd
「還有別忘了規定啊，出任務要叫代號，『審判』。」她強調。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80JTMYvLXi
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「是，學……呃不，『戰車』。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7IQwZV36A
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「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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm96MUA4wki
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「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwawDwukJpm
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTPw2rLKVf
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilQBpcOkxI
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「咱只到這兒了，再上去大夥兒都怕。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzArQbuAyB
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「好的，謝謝您。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAIYdURZiQ
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyoxTln3id
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo2HMcD7Pf
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoXMIt7tIm
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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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkgiLh8JBx
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnwBnjuekL
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXmbzVfWST
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「咦？這是……」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV4PBPs7cw
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「是的，妖魔確實存在的證明。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXYJw3iHh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklxII5zllY
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe9CezYx39
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嗡——227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy1B5g8Ggb
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tUq7y4MMy
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「啊！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n17Den9PK
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「學姊！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfAjOxxDY7
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「快跑！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV6zYl4Krn
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUPamNev61
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjFSjLTdHg
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX44VoUknbA
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUfJcNVwJk
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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？227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lqvgkZ4si
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSJJrl3jNj
齒縫間流瀉的語言像蜘蛛絲般細微：「學……姊……」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa0F5zcS75
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXcHXgrURD
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不……227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g8TG9SKFm
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「戰……車……學姊……」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N2LzgGNJp
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該不會就這樣結束了？227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWnMT6TR3B
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「審判？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhMEjbnlur
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rBOhCh1ly
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「學姊！是學姊嗎？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXzL2THqWB
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「別再學來學去了，是『戰車』！規則！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0E5w1RYBy
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「是，戰車！」太好了，學姊還活著。總算鬆了一口氣。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hZdAwFjGJ
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「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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisl77uB6P8
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsqMxoQccw
「好，」審判聞言，拉開背包拉鍊，「可是我看不到妳。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKI7Bje9nr
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C5ZWrUa4t
「沒問題的，妳只要丟下來就好，我看得到。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkz4Xb2shh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmbKmSOOal
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——」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp2Vv2voFu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhxkTxhqrx
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPApEyGmMj
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk87QRjK3F
「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：227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJEEIvkZu5
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「妳跳下來吧。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CpHVjjcuj
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSemSMUFZH
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「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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg78aM7GQO
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既然經驗老到的前輩都說到這個地步，哪還由得晚輩拒絕？227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCM0Tm7QAg
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「嗚……」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbQ9OeTzmR
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只能硬著頭皮，跳了。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9RwXhsWfH
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「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！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqHBQ0ipR3
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6v4qs2vI8
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「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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6M0siHNJt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡots5jcNLdp
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7qGfHjilv
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVarMThBtO
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「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUznZrEIMuE
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「從現在開始妳替我照路，盡量不要發出聲音，聽我指示。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkenXSQHBIf
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSQe5d5IYC
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaszSGWTDJ
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKJaxXmqUr
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW82zhuxAVl
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviACtxxY3c
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGOmUgq0YM
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzvcr3Iq42
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3S00SNpLO
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3H5OEafLg
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkBfFgadB3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiuhoxMarD
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNbFmkwiOI
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC43LtCKrtU
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SIGYjn4e7
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfBwcAxMTs
審判想得正出神，忽聞戰車低語道：「審判，搖鈴。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfGBlDOEtu
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SB2uQMoG9
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2O4mJcKBC
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zFMexRnqh
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjN2AkGhGT
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArZFjE7JHV
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——227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPGjv5QTV2
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碰！227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rppUN8ZDX
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「審判？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pw4gPyUM4
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvho3evsqPS
「抱歉！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiyxy89CZt
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4orD1U9sp
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwjZdeycpr
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS6A6mAGsQ
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGIWHTGuMv
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY3xvr3sEZ
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYY82CtrNP
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YoaqSYvW4
「一、二、三，跳！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfdAXSBcWd
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO8aFfJ4aU
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNItysialNN
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「呀啊——」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu35ctebD1m
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW9ZWc1YPY
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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj876KmhOd3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRszTC8arM
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES25tsKgDN
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRv7hCQouC
「哈哈，蠢蛋！看這邊！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvRNWsNKFH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdHfIFJ2NC
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3gLnOimsh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEa7FX3XgC
她剛起身，聽見遠處學姊的吶喊：「審判！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8xoopJr3
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7A3sLkwzT
「沒時間封印牠了，直接開門扔下去吧！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SybLhHaPG
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTxOArPVwn
「開門？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H9xGVpoua
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtfTfEdm3X
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03lA5bRh9f
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVXmmPLccx
「嗯。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOsGO2sFk8
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzo6KpOFYH
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV8ywS9jQW
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「是。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiKFCiDlH0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedAbdqzBKH
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6s6V0M0Gc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bq70btBeF
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZNFq1Zov8
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sS2uS5iVA
「嗚，好痛……」頭還很暈，天啊、地啊都在轉啊。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ilXrnrJAL
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM2ngLqBAA
她緊壓右臂的傷口，奮力朝戰車的方向嘶吼：「成功了！成功了！」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHz5WQkW9z
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Eg8rPFUz4
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCqLyVcLIr
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleMFQvOLmE
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjDLBWEuVK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKTyIkeSy3
她拍拍同伴的肩膀：「審判、審判，好點了嗎？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu82XRJPOGx
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbRmUJKfWM
「咦？學……姊？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdpjhRjY92
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYghJiqkXt
「規……算了，任務結束，隨便妳叫。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEeAG8d6rc
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiEprgjCgQ
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iXXC5y1nB
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnQ6TnlG6U
「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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9BJEc7cH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScrFc8mIyU
「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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWZoS2RuSg
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「嗯。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7SisAuMNW
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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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIZ87yGOxI
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBraXurckE
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「現在幾點？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh9WIfwZWo
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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！227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeiaQfsgQ0
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0rr1VY5wQ
「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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6CJQfsLqd
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhK0eaeDwX
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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr1ESHLKTH
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「喂——」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZsfJNcup8
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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。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1EOMQwQMX
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「喂——有人嗎？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHLuqwN5ix
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMxjrN1atH
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」。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJDKlab1B7
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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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFuvWuF4fh
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOrB6uKaBg
「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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe1qTfQ0ao
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvbN1ENR0v
「『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」。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J2tbfscuH
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89QY0OPzgK
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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lXUKhJlGg
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「是這樣啊……」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qubEgDEfw
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBch3QHUL7a
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。」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfcbRrC5uS
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpND8hdHNSG
「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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAOLRw08Wy
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56JifNTzqR
等等，他們是不是提到了「戰車」？227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKvhVb2arK
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanO2SmDf33
「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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9fl8WYPr1
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOHNvz4Zyd
「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！227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7mxfOrzxy
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NSkQoOC7T
「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？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxNADSodv6
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifemZuq6sy
面罩拉了下來，是戰車學姊的臉。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOi45OaK8N
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ638bDZlzbD
「……嘿，審判，怎麼呆呆的？妳後面是哪位，朋友嗎？」227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTqhreFHUa
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62DdENzpAm
然後他們都看見了，審判身後的人影，也是戰車的輪廓。227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGVlaKM22h
227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK8zEQf32v
—THE END—
