Episode 19

**"Preparation"** is the twentieth released episode of *Zero Game* by Zelbasen. Elliot offers Hanna a place in his guild once they reach Level Six, which would consequently turn her against Alex.

## Plot

Baffled by Elliot's proposal, Hanna asks if he is threatening her. Elliot reminds her that knowledge is power in a game with an intrusion system, and as a new player, Hanna is at a disadvantage. For a split second, Hanna hesitates as she remembers the promise she made with her father. Pulling herself together, she declines the offer, refusing to compromise her morals to achieve her goal. Ditching the nice guy approach, Elliot summons his Shadow ability to threaten her instead. He reminds her that he is not her enemy; Jay, the former Guild Master of Blue Moon, is the real threat. Elliot tells Hanna that hidden inside Alex is the 100,000 LP he received when entering Zero Game. Leaving her with that knowledge, Elliot reminds her to find him after Level Three and join his guild.

In the Red Village, Elliot muses how even after repeatedly warning him, Alex refuses to regularly change his home base locations. Perry questions Elliot's sincerity in recruiting Hanna into White Hound. He confirms that making Alex lose hope and give up the game is priority. Due to the circumstances back then, Elliot had to rush and turn Alex's 100,000 LP into a Vested Item. Now that Alex has found hope in his partnership with Hanna, it is essential to turn her against him. Elliot adds that if Hanna becomes his pair partner, his passive skill and Hanna's Copier ability will be strong enough to finally kill Jay.

     He then asks Perry to pair with Kate Lee while he pairs with Eva Lee to help them clear Level One. Worried that she will lose value to Elliot, Perry quickly complies, declaring that she will do anything for him.

Back at Alex's Home Base, Hanna prepares to leave for the next mission. Armed with the information Elliot gave her, Hanna concludes that he and Jay will not stop until they steal Alex's Life Points. Deciding to keep Elliot's visit a secret, she suggests to Alex that they change their home base. On their way to the Ability Shop, Alex confesses that he has no memory between turning eight years old and entering Zero Game.

At the Ability Shop, Loveme greets them while wearing a zombie mask, frightening Alex. Trying not to look at the mask, Alex declares that they wish to copy Loveme's Flame ability. Loveme agrees on the condition they purchase exorcism products that may become useful to obtain the Level Two entry ticket, The Dagger With Arachne's Blood. Although she tries to entice them to purchase several discounted deals with questionable items, Hanna adamantly declines the offers and pays 500 LP for the items and the Divine Sword. Because they took care of Alice Neul in Level One at Loveme's request, Loveme pays Alex 20 LP. As they leave the shop, Alex tells Hanna that Level Two will not start until Micaela, the NPC in charge, feels like it. Although Level One NPC Noise has a bad temper, Micaela is known to be the most irresponsible and self-centered among all NPCs.

## Character Appearances

* Mr. X
* Players
	+ Elliot Baek
	+ Alex Baek
	+ Hanna Yoo
	+ Jay (mentioned)
	+ Perry Joo
	+ Eva Lee (mentioned)
	+ Kate Lee (mentioned)
	+ Loveme
* NPCs
	+ Noise (mentioned)
	+ Micaela
* Guilds
	+ White Hound
* Monsters
	+ Arachne (mentioned)

## Location Appearances

* Alex's Home Base
* Red Village
* Ability Shop

## Abilities and Skills Appearances

* Shadow
* Mind Control (mentioned)
* Copier (mentioned)
* Flame (mentioned)

## Item Appearances

* Staff
* Vested Item (mentioned)
* The Dagger With Arachne's Blood (mentioned)
* Divine Sword
* Flash Ammunition
* Holy Bible
* Holy Water
* Cross
* Garlic
* Level One Entry Ticket (mentioned)

## Gallery

Elliot uses Shadow to threaten HannaAlex confesses that he has a memory gapHanna suggests Alex call her "Noona" (older sister)