Episode 8

**"Bait"** is the ninth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Hanna and Alex combine forces with other players, including Alice Neul, Eva and Kate Lee, to progress through the First Class.

## Plot

In the School, Alex and Hanna dodge an attack from the Roamers. Hanna uses her Copier ability to combine the Flame skill and Alex's Electronic Master ability and melt the Roamer. Observing this through a screen, Knock muses out loud that they managed to destroy an unbreakable obstacle. Noise contacts Mr. X, reporting that the balance of the game has been compromised.

As Hanna deletes the Electronic Master ability to preserve her stamina, Alex apologizes for not taking care of the Roamer. Alice Neul approaches them, offering her team as bait to clear the First Class together. Hanna introduces herself to Eva and Kate Lee, two members of Alice's group. Kate responds amicably; Eva, skeptical of Hanna's intentions, rebuffs her hospitality, claiming no one is nice in a place like Zero Game. In spite of herself, Eva gives Hanna a bandaid for the wound she sustained fighting the Roamer. Touched, Hanna thanks her.

Alex uses his Electronic Master ability to read the electric flow within the school walls and locate obstacles on each floor. Once they reach the third floor, he notices that it is packed with Roamers. Without a distraction, it is impossible to pass through undetected. At this point, Alice volunteers Kate as bait, but Eva intervenes, claiming she has better agility and stamina. Alice delightfully jeers at the two sisters for their sacrifice. Sensing there was something off about their team, Hanna intercedes, telling Alice not to order the others around when she herself has not offered to be bait. The players all recite their passive skills and abilities. Hanna and Alex decide to use Kate's passive skill, Hiding, as camouflage as they maneuver through the halls. An irate Alice protests using the sisters as bait is a better plan, but Alex expresses he is unwilling to take the chance when it is clear their team has internal issues. When an aggravated Alice criticizes him for being overconfident, he tells her to work solo if she disagrees with the group's plans.

In the Operator Room, Mr. X enthusiastically takes photos of Hanna as he monitors her progress on a screen. Rita reminds him to continue his research on Jay, but Mr. X admits he decided to quit to avoid breaking the Operator's rules. He mentions that Elliot Baek has been tracking Jay for quite a while using Loveme's passive skill, Foreseeing, the only ability in Zero Game that provides an outlook for future events. With Elliot on his heels, Jay will not be able to move as freely.

## Character Appearances

* Players
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Alice Neul
	+ Joseph Ha
	+ Eva Lee
	+ Kate Lee
	+ Rita
	+ Jay (mentioned)
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Loveme (mentioned)
* NPCs
	+ Noise
	+ Knock
* Monsters
	+ Roamers
* Mr. X

## Location Appearances

* School
* Operator Room
* Ability Shop

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Electronic Master
* Copier
* Flame
* Tracking (mentioned)
* Levitation (mentioned)
* Superhuman Strength (mentioned)
* Negation (mentioned)
* Clairvoyance (mentioned)
* Hiding
* Foreseeing (mentioned)

## Gallery

Noise and Knock watch as Alex and Hanna destroy the Roamer through a screenAlice recommends Kate to be baitEva steps in to protect Kate