Episode 38

**"Allies"** is the thirty-ninth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Jay reveals a startling secret about how she was resurrected from the dead. Nathan Kang arrives in time to fend off Hanna.

## Plot

The Ice storm swiftly disappears, clearing the air. In a cool voice, Hanna tells Jay that she is out of words since Jay is knowingly harming others and refuses to listen to reason. Her faced bruised, Jay bellows at Hanna for daring to land a blow. Ignoring her, Hanna sends projectiles of ice at Jay, only to be thwarted by the sudden appearance of Nathan Kang. Using his Body Enhancement ability, Nathan blocks the projectiles and steps in front of Jay, apologizing for his late arrival.

Meanwhile, Elliot continues to wait with his guild members at the edge of the Blue Village. Rosaline Kim appears, asking if Hanna is worth all this trouble. As Elliot expresses his surprise to see her show up without being summoned, Rosaline explains that a group of new players have recently passed Level Three and are roaming the Backyard Garden. Despite this, all the players seem to be discussing Hanna Yoo and her gameplay. Kyle Jan casually notes that it is difficult to measure the worth of a hidden ability. Since there should be countermeasures for each ability Hanna copies, using a copied ability may possibly increase or decrease its strength. Because Hanna uses different combinations of multiple abilities, Kyle concludes that it is impossible to predict her actions. Elliot explains that her unpredictability is the reason he wants her on his team.

Back in the forest, Hanna expresses her astonishment that Nathan would risk his life to save Jay. Nathan defends Jay, explaining that she sacrificed herself to save dying players like him when they first entered Zero Game. Hanna counters by questioning how a compassionate person can laugh at the death of her teammate. As Nathan, taken aback, struggles to respond, Jay concludes that it is time to eliminate him before he becomes a threat. As she asks Nathan to step aside, Hanna suddenly coughs up blood, her vision beginning to blur. Refusing to think poorly of Jay, Nathan leaps forward to attack Hanna, using his Body Enhancement ability to harden his arm. Before he can strike, Alex shields Hanna with his own body, taking the blow instead of her. The punch hits Alex in the back, breaking his bones, and the impact sends both him and Hanna flying backwards.

As Hanna lies in his arms, barely conscious, Alex curses himself for being unable to protect her. Hanna struggles to breathe, the lack of oxygen and blood loss causing her to feel dizzy. Taking advantage of their momentary distraction Jay walks forward and strikes at Hanna with her poisonous sword. Alex grabs the blade before it can cut through her, the poison seeping into the skin of his fingers. The injury he attained from received from Nathan begins to throb, preventing Alex from throwing the blade off completely. With a maniacal expression, Jay accuses Alex for being the reason she became a monster. If she is not so intent on obtaining his 100,000 LP, she would not have taken such extreme measures. As Alex addresses Jay as "Gina Park," Jay begins to laugh. She comments on how fickle her former guild members are for turning their backs because of one incident, reminding Alex that she sacrificed everything to save them. She declares that it is wasteful for someone as kind as Hanna to possess such a powerful ability. Quietly, she leans in and confesses to Alex that she stole Gina Park's identity, reputation, and teammates to form a new guild and steal Alex's Life points. Jay admits that she is actually the guild member Elliot killed after he discovered her plan to assassinate the real Gina Park. As Alex stares uncomprehendingly into her eyes, Jay activates her Mind Control ability, compelling him to hand over his 100,000 LP.

Before she can finish the command, however, Elliot strikes at Jay with his Shadow ability. Jay leaps backward to dodge the projectile as Elliot lands in front of Alex. Checking Hanna's pulse, Elliot states that she will have died if he showed up five minutes later. He then checks Alex's broken back to make sure that Alex has not suffered any fatal wounds. As the rest of his guild members arrive, Elliot instructs Perry to detoxify Alex's wounds and Eva Lee to take care of Hanna. Furious that her chance to take Alex's Life points is now thwarted, Jay screeches in frustration that Elliot is still getting in her way. Amused, Elliot lightly apologizes, assuring her that he will soon return her to her grave. As Jay bounds forward in rage, Nathan hastily holds her back, advising her to retreat. Unwillingly, Jay gathers herself together and orders her guild to fall back. As they walk away, Jay speculates that Nathan must not have heard the whole story from Elliot if he is still taking her side despite his doubts.

As Jay and her guild teleports away, Elliot checks to make sure that Hanna is still conscious. Reminding her of the deal he proposed a while back, Elliot states that he wishes to offer a new proposition. Rather than recruiting her into his guild after Level Three, he wishes to form an alliance with her. He explains that with Jay as a threat, the Mind Control ability can be used without detection and easily compel them to kill each other, just as it did with Micaela and Johan. Elliot explains that in order to prevent that from happening again, they need to join forces. Weakly, Hanna agrees to help Elliot as long as Alex is willing. Astounded that Hanna is still worried about others in her condition, Alex reluctantly accepts the alliance. Pleased, Elliot smiles and thanks them for their cooperation.

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X (mentioned)
* Players
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Jay
	+ Nathan Kang
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Rosaline Kim
	+ Kyle Jan
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Gina Park (flashback) (mentioned)
	+ Johan Lee (mentioned) (flashback)
	+ Perry Joo
	+ Eva Lee
* NPCs
	+ Micaela (mentioned) (flashback)
* Guilds
	+ Red Moon
	+ White Hound

## Location Appearances

* Forest
* Backyard Garden (mentioned)

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Ice
* Body Enhancement
* Guard
* Copier (mentioned)
* Flame
* Lethal Poisoning
* Mind Control
* Shadow
* Detoxification
* Eva's ability
* Mental Attack Cancellation (mentioned)

## Item Appearances

* Staff
* Vested Item (mentioned)
* Stone of Reincarnation (mentioned)

## Trivia

* Nathan Kang is addressed as *Vincent* in this chapter.

## Gallery

Nathan protects Jay using his Body Enhancement abilityHanna coughs up blood from overusing her bodyJay laughs at Alex and HannaAlex and the White Hound guild wait for Hanna's answer about the alliance