Episode 16

**"After-Game care service"** is the seventeenth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Elliot holds Hanna hostage as he threatens to kill Alex. Alex confronts him about their past gameplay, where Elliot framed him as a traitor.

## Plot

In the Mechanical Room, Noise stands in front of the Game System, waiting to receive an approval for a new rule. As he ponders over whether or not this rule will be approved, the colors of the Game System change from red to teal.

Back in the forest, Elliot continues to explain why he betrayed Blue Moon. Since the guild members had strong abilities, Elliot decided using Alex as a scapegoat would divert any vengeful survivors after the attack. Noticing Alex eyeing his discarded Staff, Elliot picks it up and drops it in front of Alex, daring him to pick it up. As Alex reaches to grab his staff, Elliot uses his Shadow ability to pierce him in the back, suggesting he forfeit his Life Points and Hanna. Livid, Hanna accuses Elliot of being a terrible sibling in contrast to Eva, who sacrifices everything to protect Kate. Rather than Elliot, Hanna shouts that she prefers Alex to have her as a sibling. Using the last bit of his energy, Alex harnesses his Electronic Master ability to fight. Rosaline Kim releases Hanna from the cage, allowing Elliot to attack Hanna with Shadow.

Suddenly, Jay appears before Hanna, launching a Close-Range Shield scroll to block Elliot's attack. Hanna and Alex are baffled by Jay's abrupt arrival. Pleased, Elliot asks why he showed up so late. When Jay does not respond, Elliot mockingly asks if he knows whose face is under the mask and summons his Shadow ability. Before Elliot can launch an assault, Noise appears and halts PVP to announce the new rule that the Game System just approved. The "After-Game Care Service" grants winners of each round one full day of recovery, prohibiting other players from taking advantage of their exhausted conditions, and an escort home by the NPC in charge.

During this time, Mr. X admits to Loveme that as Hanna's father, losing his position as Operator would be a heavy burden on Hanna. He knows that while Loveme does not regret losing her Operator position to protect a player, she is troubled by the guilt the user feels for causing her demotion. Acknowledging the truth in Mr. X's words, Loveme recalls Alex Baek saddened with remorse as he apologized to her over and over again. Mr. X decides to silently watch over Hanna and only intervene within the game in ways the Game System permits. He brings up the "After-Game Care Service," a new rule he created to benefit Hanna after she completes Level One. After Noise's Level One NPC died and other NPCs got injured, Mr. X thought of this rule to reconcile NPCs and users. Surprised by his thoughtfulness, Loveme commends him for the idea, telling him it will help fix the balance of a game with an intrusion system that grants old, veteran users an advantage. Delighted by the praise, Mr. X muses how "their Hanna," invited into Zero Game because of her bad luck, may have transformed into an "icon of good luck."

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X
* Players
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Rosaline Kim
	+ Eva Lee
	+ Kate Lee
	+ Jay
	+ Perry Joo (mentioned)
	+ Loveme
* NPCs
	+ Noise
	+ Rita
* Guilds
	+ Blue Moon (mentioned)

## Location Appearances

* Mechanical Room
* Backyard Garden (mentioned)

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Light
* Shadow
* Electronic Master

## Item Appearances

* Game System
* Staff
* Close-Range Shield

## Gallery

Elliot uses his Shadow ability to attack Alex from the backJay appears to save HannaNoise announces the After-Game Care Service