Episode 21

**"The Dead Ones"** is the twenty-second released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. After teaming up with Johan Lee, Hanna and Alex set off to hunt and defeat Arachne, a formidable creature that transforms its appearance into that of a beloved.

## Plot

     After losing to Mr. X and Noise at rock, paper, scissors, Rita meanders off to do chores. As she leaves, Noise brags about being famous at winning this game during his school days. Rita offhandedly tells them she has no memories of her past, like all NPCs. As Noise sets off to prepare another round of Level One, Mr. X recalls the Bug User Document containing entry error users that Loveme left when she was the Operator.

At the Church, Micaela is displeased that Johan Lee, who already possesses The Dagger With Arachne's Blood, is still lingering in the cemetery after half a year. She accuses him of being foolish to continually seek out Arachne to meet his deceased wife. Dejectedly, Johan promises this is the last time, before fainting from exhaustion. Irritated, Micaela bribes Hanna and Alex with 10-Year Potions that can transform its drinkers into their 10 year older or younger selves, on the condition that they kill Arachne and take Johan along as they advance to the next stage. Convinced, Hanna and Alex help Johan to a nearby chamber as Micaela stalks off in tears.

     As he rests, Johan dreams of the tragic fire that killed his wife. Waking up in cold sweat, he catches sight of Alex and Hanna experimenting with his Qi ability and realizes Hanna is the first-ranker player with the Copier ability. Using his Detection skill, he reads their ability stats and gives them a brief overview of how they can maximize their abilities. Excited by this newfound knowledge, Hanna scampers off to test the Flame ability outside of the Church. Alex notices a ring tattoo of a heartbeat shape on Johan's finger and points this out to Johan. Johan explains that it is the engagement ring he got with his wife in the real world; she recommended tattoos so that, as a firefighter, Johan can avoid the risk of a metal ring melting as he puts out fires.
Micaela catches Hanna attempting to sneak outside to practice her ability. Deducing that Johan has awoken, she drags Hanna back to the chambers to send the group off on the quest. Noting how young Hanna is, she shows Hanna a ring tattoo on her hand in the shape of a heartbeat, explaining that she used to be married back when she was alive.

     Hanna expresses her surprise that Micaela is dead; Micaela reveals that all NPCs in Zero Game are deceased beings from the real world.

Back in the chamber, Johan confesses to Alex the guilt he holds for being unable to save his wife from a fire, despite being a fireman. His right eye, injured in the real world, has the ability to see the energy or spirit of a person in Zero Game. Although players normally have blue lights and NPCs have no light, Micaela glows a strange red. Johan hopes that this is a sign that she could be his wife despite having a different appearance; however, every time he faces Arachne, she transforms into what his wife looked like in the real world with a burn. Glancing at Alex, Johan then reveals that he attacked Alex back in the abandoned building because Alex's body does not emit a light. Alex laughs it off, but Johan then asks if Alex has a memory gap, since NPCs do not retain living memories. As Alex sits stunned, Johan then asks if Alex is really a living player.

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X
* Players
	+ Loveme (mentioned)
	+ Micaela
	+ Johan Lee
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
* NPCs
	+ Noise
	+ Rita
* Monsters
	+ Arachne

## Abilities and Skill Appearances

* Qi
* Detection
* Flame
* Electronic Master

## Item Appearances

* Bug User Document
* Divine Sword
* The Dagger With Arachne's Blood
* Staff
* Holy Bible (mentioned)
* 10-Year Potion

## Gallery

Rita is tasked to do choresJohan waking up from a recurring nightmareJohan asks if Alex is really aliveJohan's engagement ring tattoo