Michael is a supporting character and currently the second level NPC in Zero Game. Formerly known as Johan Lee, he was a player who quickly befriended Hanna and Alex in Level Two. He is also the husband of Micaela in the outside world.
Appearance
As a human and a player in Zero Game, Johan had short, grey hair with small silver eyes set in a masculine face. After losing his right eye to a fire in the outside world, Johan lost his sight. However, one he entered Zero Game, his right eye regained sight and glowed electric blue, due to his Detection skill. Johan wore black robes under a dark blue dress robe and sported a long necklace with a cross. Once Johan died, he was brought back to life as the Level Two NPC, Michael. His appearance remains the same, with the exception of his right eye returning back to its original silver. As Lucifer, Michael sports large, black wings and has horns coming out of his head. He has black markings under both of his eyes and swirls that run across his sides and his arms. He wears black gloves and pants, and a black high-collared jacket. He also wears a large black collar that covers his neck to his collarbones.
Personality
Michael portrays a very calm and stoic appearance. Due to his regrets of being unable to save his wife back in the outside world, he holds tremendous trauma and guilt. As both NPC and a player Michael is very stubborn. As a player, he would refuse to complete Level Two because he wanted to stay by Micaela's side who he suspected was his dead wife. Though he is sometimes stubborn, Michael is very mature and analytical. He makes calculated decisions when battling opponents and is very quick on his feet.
Background
Back in the outside world, Michael was a firefighter. After meeting Heather Park, he fell in love and proposed to her. However, she would not accept his hand because she had weak legs and feared they would be a hindrance to him. Heather told him to find someone with a better future, but Michael told her to let both of his legs be her wings to fly high into the air. Afterwards, she accepted his hand and they were married.[1] Instead of wearing a physical wedding band, they decided to wear ring tattoos with their heartbeats engraved in between the band. Heather suggested getting tattoos in fear of Michael's ring burning in the heat of a fire. Later on, a large fire erupted inside of their house and due to Heather's handicapped legs, she was unable to run away. Michael hurriedly tried to reach the house, but his equipment failed and thus lost his right eye and Heather to the fire.[2]
Powers and Abilities
NPC Abilities
- Teleportation: As an NPC, Michael has the ability to teleport anyone including himself to wherever he wishes.
- Flight: As Lucifer, Michael has large black wings which give him the ability to fly freely in the air.[3]
Detection
Detection was Johan's passive skill when he was a player. This skill allowed him to identify another player's statistics, such as their partner pair, passive skill, abilities, ability levels, and all its limitations. However, he could only use this skill up to 3 users per day.
Qi
Qi was Johan's ability when he was a player. This ability allowed him to see the energy or the spirit of a user. For normal players, a blue light glows however for operators and NPCs, there is no light that glows. He also had the ability to shoot energy blasts at enemies as well as creating a barricade.[2]
Friends and Acquaintances
Noise
Michael is one of the few people who are aware that Noise is also the System. He encountered Noise as a player multiple times, however when he died, Michael was chosen by the System to become an NPC. Even after meeting the System, Michael refrained from telling any of the NPCs about Noise's secret identity.[4]
Alex Baek
Johan first encountered Alex in the cemetery, along with Hanna. Johan attacked Alex, because he suspected that Alex was a zombie. This was because Johan did not see a sign of soul glowing in Alex's body. Hanna and Alex soon befriended Johan and agreed to fight together to destroy Arachne.
Hanna Yoo
Though their relationship was brief, Johan and Hanna shared a deep connection. Johan acted as Hanna's helper, mentor, and guide during gameplay. Johan and Hanna met in the Cemetery in Level Two as she and Alex were escaping from a Zombie attack.[5] After a brief miscommunication, they quickly became allies. After fainting in Micaela's church, Johan woke up to find Hanna manipulating his Qi ability, having copied it. Curious about her Copier ability, Johan used his Detection skill to read her player stats. He then taught her how to properly harness and manipulate her abilities.[2] As they progressed through Level Two together, Hanna and Johan grew to regard each other as trusted allies. Before entering the level, Hanna gave Johan a Long-Range Shield scroll as protection from enemy attacks.[6] When Hanna confessed in the third stage that she wanted to save Mika's life rather than sacrifice it to win the game, Johan respected her decision. He used the Long-Range Shield Hanna gave him to protect her rather than himself. When they failed to protect Mika, Hanna despaired and confessed that she was not sure whether she should choose her morals over achieving her goal of saving her parents. Johan reassured her that she should have faith in her own beliefs and to walk the path she chose.[7] After they completed Level Two, Johan, compelled by Jay, attempted to kill Hanna.[8] Only when he was fatally wounded did Johan momentarily break free from Jay's compulsion before dying.[9]
Family
Micaela
Micaela was Johan's wife in the outside world. She was reluctant to accept when he asked her to marry him, because she was disabled. Despite her weak legs, they still got married, however they wore a tattooed ring. This was because wearing any sort of jewelry would hinder Johan's job as a firefighter. It has been confirmed that Micaela died in the outside world, from a house fire in which Johan was unable to save her.
Trivia
Quotes
| “ | Let both of my legs, be your wings and take you to wherever you want. In return, will you be by my side forever? | „ |
— Episode 24, A marriage proposal to his wife back in the outside world. | ||
| “ | When those who aren't gods claim the right to punish someone...they aren't innocent either. | „ |
— Episode 33, Speaking to the NPC Villagers in Lucifer's Garden. | ||
| “ | I knew that I'd have to part ways with you again at some point...but I didn't expect it to be like this. With these arms...I can't even lift you up. I wanted to see you fly...see you be unstoppable...just a little more. | „ |
— Episode 36, His last words in Micaela's arms before he dies. | ||
List of Appearances
- Episode 20
- Episode 21
- Episode 22
- Episode 23
- Episode 24
- Episode 25
- Episode 28
- Episode 29
- Episode 30
- Episode 31
- Episode 32
- Episode 33
- Episode 34
- Episode 35
- Episode 36
- Episode 37 (flashback) (mentioned)
- Episode 38 (mentioned) (flashback)
- Episode 39 (mentioned)
- Episode 40
- Episode 45
- Episode 46
Gallery
References
| Hanna Yoo • Alex Baek • Elliot Baek • Jay • Loveme • Eva Lee • Perry Joo • Gina Park • Rosaline Kim • Hangang Lee • Jasmine Ji • Kate Lee • Vincent Kang • Kyle Jan • Alice Neul • Joseph Ha • Hailey Lee • Nathan Kim • Travis Yoo | |
| Mr. X | |
| Noise • Knock • Oliver • Nobel • Michael • Micaela • Mika • Rita • Barry Arthur • Gloria • Eclipse • Crescent • Brandon • Bonds | |
| Booby Traps • Mutants • Roamers • Zombies • Arachne • Arachne's Monster • Twilight | |