Episode 9

**"First Class, The End"** is the tenth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen.Hanna achieves first place in the First Class, earning 500 LP as a reward. Elliot pays Loveme a visit at the Ability Shop.

## Plot

In a flash back in the real world, Eva is working hard at a shop to pay off Kate's medical bills. Eva's coworkers discuss how she gave up everything, including university, to take care of her younger sister after they were abandoned by their parents. At the end of her shift, Eva is greeted by Kate, who cheerfully compliments her and tells her to smile a little more. Though the sisters are content with a simple life, Kate's medical condition worsen and she is eventually declared terminally ill. In the pits of despair, Eva receives an invitation to Zero Game to win a second chance to save her sister. After encountering Alice Neul, however, Eva loses hope as she realizes she is powerless to do any more than protect Kate from immediate death.

In present time, Kate uses her Hiding skill to render Hanna, Alex, Alice, Eva, Joseph Ha, and herself invisible as they sneak past Roamers on the fourth floor. After 10 seconds, her skill deactivates, and the group is immediately targeted by the Student Council (Roamers). From the nurse's office, Noise and Knock curiously check to see if any players are close to reaching the finish line. Knock opens the door to see Hanna's group sprinting towards them and is instantly trampled by them. Noise, also caught in the confusion, irritably berates them for their abrupt entrance.

As Alex checks to make sure Hanna entered the office first, Eva bitterly wonders if her situation can be different with an ability of her own. Following protocol, the NPCs vaccinate the players. Still resentful for not getting her way, Alice shoves Kate to the ground to release her frustration. Alex observes this quietly.

Noise announces to the surviving 27 players for the First Class that Hanna is the first player to cross the finish line and is thus awarded The Basics of Lunch book, worth 500 LP. During the break before the start of the Second Class, Alice orders Joseph to capture Kate and hold her hostage in an empty classroom on the second floor. She then tells Eva to bring her the book by whatever means necessary. Anguished, Eva offers to trade Hanna her remaining Life points in exchange for The Basics of Lunch.

At the Ability Shop, Elliot Baek visits Loveme to gather information about Jay. Although willing, Loveme has to wait several hours for her passive skill to reactivate. When asked why he is still warring with his brother, Elliot declares that family and friends in a survival game become hostages and targets. He insists he can only win Zero Game if he kills Jay, but Alex is in his way.

## Character Appearances

* Players
	+ Eva Lee
	+ Kate Lee
	+ Alice Neul
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Joseph Ha
* NPCs
	+ Noise
	+ Knock
* Monsters
	+ Roamers

## Location Appearances

* Hallway
* Nurse's Office

## Item Appearances

* The Basics of Lunch
* Life

## Gallery

Alice, Eva, Kate, and Joseph are all exhausted from escaping the RoamersElliot and Loveme chat cheerfully in the Ability ShopEva offers all of the LP in exchange for the Basics of Lunch