Zenless Zone Zero Story Recap and Key Lore Highlights
Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity survives in the walled city of New Eridu, built amid the ruins of the old world after catastrophic portals called Hollows unleashed monstrous beings called Ethereals. The city harnesses Hollow energy for survival, yet is beset by constant threats and conspiracies.
Main Premise
You play as one of the siblings (Wise or Belle), the legendary proxy “Phaethon,” guiding clients (Agents, raiders, corporate fixers) safely through the Hollows for rewards, secrets, and advancement. Much of the gameplay follows your progression from operating a video rental store (Random Play) to unraveling city-wide conspiracies and supernatural mysteries (Game8, Wikipedia).
Key recurring themes:
- Survival and adaptation in New Eridu
- Urban faction rivalries
- Hidden AI entities (like Fairy)
- Mysterious organization “Sacrifice”
Major Story Arcs & Lore Events
1. The Fall and the Foundation:
- After Eridu’s destruction by Hollows, survivors gathered in New Eridu, led by shadowy leaders harnessing Hollow energy.
- Proxies emerge as navigators, half mercenary, half hero, for hire.
2. Proxy’s First Missions:
- Initial chapters follow Belle, Wise, Billy, Anby and the “Cunning Hares” on dangerous commissions inside the Hollows, battling Ethereals and uncovering hidden tech (Wikipedia, YouTube Story Recap).
- Discovery of Fairy, a mysterious AI bonded to the protagonist’s computer, foreshadows deeper tech secrets.
3. The Proxy and Public Security:
- Proxy allies with officers Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, investigating conspiracies tied to Belabog Industries and the Ballet Twins.
- Rescue mission: Miyabi is possessed by a sentient sword (Tailless) during a public rally, triggering a Hollow disaster.
4. The Bringer Conspiracy:
- Sarah and Bringer manipulate agent Miyabi; Proxy and Zhu Yuan chase Bringer through Hollows, fighting his mutated form (“Sacrifice”) and averting mass casualties (Wikipedia, Reddit Plot Summary).
5. Season 2 & New Regions:
- Recent updates introduce Waifei Peninsula in Throne Quarter, Lemnian Hollow, and new city districts (LDShop Season 2 Summary).
- New daily quests touch on local culture, Temple management, and deeper faction rivalries.
6. Faction & AI Conspiracies:
- Elite organizations (Public Security, Belabog, Ballet Twins) play out rivalries and betrayals.
- The “Sacrifice” conspiracy, connected to secret AIs, corporate cover-ups, and attempted massacres, is central to late-story chapters (Reddit).
Key Lore Highlights
- Proxies: Ancient navigators with near-mythical status; pivotal in every Hollow raid.
- Fairy: Extremely advanced AI, key to unraveling the city’s darkest secrets.
- Sacrifice: Name given to the city’s deepest conspiracy, involves bioweapons and secret AI programs.
- Tailless/Sentient Weapons: Reveal themes of possession and AI sentience within agent artifacts.
- Faction Dynamics: Urban struggles between powerful corporations, rogue agents, and public security.
For Full Story and Lore:
- Game8 Main Story Commissions
- ZZZ Wikipedia
- LDShop Season 2 Dev Summary
- Reddit Story Guide
- YouTube Story Recap
Bookmark for updates; ZZZ’s lore-rich story is deepening with every new chapter and seasonal region unlocked!


