Episode 40

**"Michael"** is the forty-first released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Hanna finds Loveme to confront her about their shared past. Johan is now the new Level Two NPC, Michael, working alongside Micaela.

## Plot

Hanna's parents, Loveme Na and Sebastian Yoo, were a loving, sweet, friendly couple in the real world. One summer, Hanna's family decided to vacation at a cabin in the valley. An unexpected typhoon came and swept away a pair of boys in its treacherous waters. Fearfully, Hanna called out to her parents, who dove into the water to save the boys. One boy survived, but the other, along with Hanna's parents, perished in the storm. The daily activities Hanna enjoyed with her parents suddenly vanished in one night. On the anniversary of their deaths, the parents of the boys visited Hanna every year to pay their respects. Hanna resented their visits; they reminded her of all that she wanted to forget. Ten years later, Hanna began to overcome the resentment, believing that holding onto this grudge will ultimately hurt only herself. From time to time, the boy who survived would cross her mind. She would occasionally wonder about the kind of reaction she would give had she met him in person since the incident.

In the Ability Shop, Loveme finishes braiding Hanna's hair, identical to the way she used to style it when Hanna was young. As Hanna attempts to hold back tears, Loveme mentions the deaths of Johan and Micaela. Knowing that her daughter is still upset over them, Loveme informs Hanna that Micaela has survived, and Johan has turned into an NPC after death.

Meanwhile, in Lucifer's Garden, Kate Lee releases a large flying blade towards Michael, the new Level Two NPC. Michael deflects the blade effortlessly and attacks Kate with Lucifer's power, blasting the nearby surroundings into smithereens. As Kate trembles with fear, Elliot notes in amusement that he did not expect to meet an NPC more deadly than Micaela. Micaela appears, now the Level Two assistant, and advises Michael to strategically control and restrain his power. Michael admits that he has not adapted to his new powers, and is still attempting to gain control over them.

Back at the Ability Shop, Loveme explains that Mr. X made the decision to allow Johan to become an NPC of Zero Game. She conveys Johan's and Micaela's words of appreciation to Hanna, describing how genuinely thankful they are for everything Hanna and Alex did. Relieved, Hanna asks Loveme how she heard about this.

     Loveme cheerfully confesses that she was the former Operator before Mr. X. After helping out Alex, she was demoted from her position and has been working part-time at the Ability Shop since. Shocked, Hanna realizes that her mother was in Zero Game during the annihilation of Blue Moon. When Hanna asks for clarification, Loveme admits that she is aware of the Baek twins and their history with Jay. She tells Hanna that Jay has been using an Identity-Changing Ticket to alter her name and appearance to impersonate Gina Park.

On September 12, Gina Park found Alex and Elliot deserted in the Collapsed Cathedral. As a cheerful, brazen girl with an S-Class ability, Gina was deemed a top contender to complete Zero Game. Many players joined Blue Moon under her guidance, including Jay, who was known as Jade Lin during this period. However, Gina was afflicted with advanced stomach cancer. Her intention of joining Zero Game was to prolong her remaining life and use the award to cure her disease. Despite her efforts, none of the potions in Zero Game could fully cure her physical body as she fought through the difficult game levels. Bedridden and exhausted, Gina worried constantly about her teammates, who sought comfort and kept faith under her leadership. Under the pretense of upholding team spirit, Jade proposed the idea of using the Identity-Changing Ticket to fool the Blue Moon members. Jade would pose as Gina Park, healthy and strong, and guide Blue Moon while the real Gina properly recuperated. Unsuspecting, Gina agreed to this deal, unaware that this agreement was the beginning of the end.

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X (flashback) (mentioned)
* Players
	+ Loveme
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Johan Lee
	+ Kate Lee
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Perry Joo
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Jay (mentioned) (flashback)
	+ Gina Park (mentioned) (flashback)
* NPCs
	+ Michael
	+ Micaela
* Guilds
	+ Blue Moon (mentioned)

## Location Appearances

* Ability Shop
* Lucifer's Garden
* Collapsed Cathedral (flashback)

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Blade
* Hiding (mentioned)
* Mind Control (mentioned)
* Electronic Master (flashback)
* Flame (flashback)
* Lethal Poisoning (mentioned)

## Item Appearances

* Vested Item (mentioned)
* Identity-Changing Ticket

## Gallery

Loveme Na and Sebastian Yoo in the real worldMichael and Micaela as Lucifer in Level TwoJohan and Micaela pushing Loveme to relay their message to Hanna and AlexJay and Gina Park