Episode 46

## Plot

Johan opened his eyes to find himself in a white limitless open space. A stranger floating in mid-air informs him that he was dead and was given the option to be brought back to life as an NPC in Zero Game at Mr. X's request. After a moment of contemplation, Johan asks if he would be able to save Heather if he became an NPC. The stranger assured him that Micaela would be allowed a final chance to be brought back as his assistant NPC. Upon hearing this, Johan immediately agreed to become an NPC. He then inquired to know the stranger's identity. The stranger replied that he was currently known as System, the system of Zero Game.

In the current timeline, Noise stands up and reassures Rita that he is fine. Rita asks if he is hiding something, to which Noise avoids by scurrying off to go to the bathroom.

     He leaves a concerned Rita in his wake, thinking that she will eventually find out. Once he is alone, Noise changes his appearance and approaches Michael, Knock and Oliver as System. He silently wonders how the user was able to hack their way so far into the system without getting caught. He instructs Michael to check the records of Level Two, Knock to check Level One, and Oliver to check Level Four, while he himself checks Level Three.

The Field of Level Three is set on Barry Arthur's Nation, the largest existing game field. Because of Barry Arthur's kind and cooperative personalty, the level was uncomplicated and players used to be able to clear the level easily. However, after he was killed by Red Hood, the game was raised to maximum difficulty by Gloria, Barry's wife. As a result, Level Three is filled with the largest number of players, all of whom are unable to clear the stages. After explaining the rules of Level Three, Alex, the Battle Commander, situates himself in Castle One and issues orders to his teammates through earpieces.

At the entrance area of Team Two's castle, Elliot attacks the defending users with his Shadow ability. While the players are flustered by his reappearance in Level Three, Elliot cheerfully announces his position as the Troll of Team One. At the front gate of Team Two, the defending users are killed off one by one. Kate, the Assassin of Team One, emerges from thin air, hidden by her passive skill, and sincerely apologizes for their killing them.

     In the main room of Team Two, Kyle Jan, the Core Destroyer of Team One, appears in front of the Team Two players who are guarding their core. Kyle activates his Bloody ability, forming a sword, and successfully destroys the enemy's core. An announcement in Level Three informs all players that Team Two has been eliminated. One of the team's players drops to his knees, shocked that Team One easily took over their castle within 10 minutes. When he asks who they are, Kyle asks Alex through his earpiece what their team name is. Alex responds that they have no team name, to Kyle's chagrin. Elliot brightly proposes the name "Dream Team," which Alex deems as unoriginal. Kate chimes in that she is fine with any name. Kyle then proposes the name "The World's Most Epic Team," to which Alex bluntly rejects. An unknown NPC hurriedly rushes to Gloria to report the appearance of extremely powerful players in Stage One. Gloria calmly instructs him to send half of the forces to attack Team One and the other half to protect the core. She confidently states that she will not let a single player pass through Stage One.

## Character Appearances

* Players
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Kate Lee
	+ Kyle Jan
* NPCs
	+ Michael
	+ Noise
	+ Rita
	+ Red Hood (mentioned) (flashback)
	+ Knock
	+ Oliver
	+ Barry Arthur
	+ Gloria
	+ Unknown NPC

## Location Appearances

* Backyard Garden (mentioned)
* Barry Arthur's Nation

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Shadow
* Blade
* Bloody

## Gallery

Johan speaking to SystemKnock and Oliver appear to help SystemBarry Arthur build his nation as the official game field for Level ThreeElliot's Shadow ability kills the players of Team TwoKyle Jan activates his Bloody ability