Episode 32

**"Each one's Choices"** is the thirty-third released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. As Alex continues to fend off Micaela, Hanna helps Mika with a spell to defeat Lucifer.

## Plot

During his fight with Micaela, Alex demands to know why she and Elliot judge him for trying to help others. Unable to commit a sin without guilt, he admits to suffering from nightmares of all those he killed in the past. After watching Hanna sincerely helping Eva in Level One, he realized the value in altruism. Without Eva’s help in the final stage of Level One, he and Hanna would not have survived. Alex realized that though it is essential to be clever and selfish to a certain extent, the evil that Elliot and Micaela advise him to adopt will only create more enemies and suffering. Because he has already died once, he wishes to take this second life in Zero Game to live a more meaningful life like a human being. As he makes this declaration, he suddenly receives a timely message from Hanna, who asks him to trust in her. Skeptical of Alex’s idealistic approach in Zero Game, Micaela challenges him to prove himself as a good person.

Somewhere in the Blue Village, Hanna comforts the NPC child, Mika, as he confesses his guilt for resurrecting Lucifer. Rather than sacrificing him to clear the level, she promises to help him defeat Lucifer and properly apologize to the villagers. Seeing Hanna struggled to activate the telepathic feature in the Pair System to contact Alex, Mika warns her of the limitations of the feature before teaching her how to use it.

Agreeing to work together, Mika and Hanna leave the building and quickly gather ingredients to break Micaela’s protective barrier. In a circular pit, Mika tosses the ingredients in a sacrificial cup and adds his blood. The spell emits a bright, red glow, attracting the attention of the NPC villagers. Just as Mika informs Hanna that no one is allowed inside the circle for thirty minutes for the spell to be effective, the villagers arrive, demanding for Mika’s death. When Hanna attempts to persuade them otherwise, the villagers attack her. As Hanna is hit with a barrage of rocks, one hits her on the head and causes her to bleed. Horrified, Mika declares to sacrifice himself to protect Hanna.

     Remembering the horrible days she wished to commit suicide in the real world, Hanna defiantly refuses. She reminds Mika of their promise of fixing his mistake, insisting that he is a good person despite what the villagers say. She assures him he is not alone, and that she will stay with him until the end. Moved by her words, Mika agrees to fight. Seeing this, the villagers become angry and cast a spell that immobilizes Hanna. As they blast a curse towards Hanna, Johan arrives and deflects the attack with the Long-Range Shield Hanna gave him.

## Character Appearances

* Players
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Alice Neul (flashback)
	+ Eva Lee (mentioned) (flashback)
	+ Johan Lee
* NPCs
	+ Micaela
	+ Mika
	+ NPC Villagers

## Location Appearances

* Lucifer's Garden
* Blue Village
* School (flashback)

## Item Appearances

* Staff
* The Dagger With Arachne's Blood
* Pair Contract
* Lucifer's Sword
* Long-Range Shield

## Trivia

* In this episode, Alex's declaration to live a more meaningful life is nearly identical to the Loveme's statement when she attempts to kill Jay

## Gallery

Micaela challenges Alex to prove how difficult it is to be a good personHanna gathers ingredients for the spell to defeat LuciferThe NPC Villagers gather to kill Mika