Episode 18

**"Deal"** is the nineteenth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Hanna confronts Alex about his convoluted past with Jay and Elliot. Elliot pays Hanna a visit at the safehouse.

## Plot

Rita arrives to report to Mr. X that Alex and Hanna have been safely teleported home. Mr. X thanks her for the report and gently chastises her for addressing him as Mr. Zero. When Rita asks what he is doing, Loveme cheerfully tells her that they are on a date. Rita reminds Mr. X that he must fill out paperwork since his new rule is approved by the Game System. Mr. X thanks Loveme for the information and promises to meet again. As he leaves, Loveme sadly thinks about how difficult it is to treat Hanna as a stranger when she is in such close proximity.

At the White Hound base, Elliot broods over Alex's newfound hope and invigorated desire to finish Zero Game. He concludes that Hanna must be the reason for Alex's sudden change. In order to crush Alex once again, Elliot decides to recruit Hanna into his guild.

Back at Alex's Home Base, Alex resolutely ignores Hanna as she relentlessly badgers him with questions about his past. He claims he has no time to satisfy her curiosity when he is busy planning strategies for Level Two. Infuriated by his snub, Hanna argues that pairs should be open and trust each other. As Hanna storms off, Alex becomes frustrated, wondering why she keeps meddling in other people's business. Although he expected her to eventually ask about his past, he believes their only focus should be to clear the game. In her bedroom, Hanna sulks over why she is the only high-ranker excluded from all the information. She opens the window for fresh air only to find Elliot standing right in front of her. Caught off guard, she staggers backward, causing a loud crash. Elliot cheerfully reminds her that since she only possesses Alex's Electronic Master ability, she cannot win a one-on-one battle with him. Hanna surveys Elliot's Shadow ability as it looms above them as a silent threat. She asks him how he located their base, since Alex claimed it is untraceable. Elliot admits he has known about Alex's hiding place for a while.

Alex, hearing the crash from Hanna's room, knocks on her door to make sure she is alright. Refusing to leave, Elliot warns Hanna not to let Alex into the room. As Alex opens the door, Hanna frantically throws herself into his arms, diverting his view from her room. Worried about a confrontation between Alex and Elliot during the day when Elliot's ability is the strongest, Hanna lies and tells Alex she wants to apologize for pushing him too hard on personal matters. Though frazzled by the sudden embrace, Alex apologizes as well, admitting that after being misunderstood for so long, he is afraid she will leave after hearing his side of the story.

     Hanna declares she will wait until he fully trusts her, hoping to hear the truth before she dies.

As Alex leaves, Hanna returns to her room to find Elliot lounging on her bed, eavesdropping on their conversation. He coolly points out that Alex has not changed since he is unable to share his side of the story. Elliot confesses to pair-changing with Alex when he destroyed Blue Moon, something Hanna already knows. Knowing Hanna thirsts for knowledge, Elliot proposes a deal. He promises to explain what happened at the intrusion battle and share information gathered on all the top-ranking players; in exchange, Hanna must ditch Alex in Level Six and join White Hound.

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X
* Players
	+ Loveme
	+ Jay (mentioned)
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
* NPCs
	+ Rita
* Guilds
	+ Blue Moon (mentioned)
	+ White Hound (mentioned)

## Location Appearances

* Alex's Home Base
* Ability Shop (mentioned)
* Collapsed Cathedral (mentioned)

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Teleportation
* Shadow
* Electronic Master

## Gallery

Elliot shows up uninvited at Hanna's windowElliot uses Shadow to threaten HannaHanna hugs AlexElliot asks Hanna to betray Alex and join White Hound