The Second World Summit
The world was still reeling from the dimensional slash Rob had delivered weeks earlier. He hadn't just saved world leaders from an impenetrable S+ beast—he had proven that a single human could defy the very logic of the Survival System.
During the following month, Rob did not rest. He ventured deep into the Amazon, where A-rank creatures and some nearly uncontrollable mutations still roamed. He faced them one by one. His body grew stronger. His mind sharper. And his sword, the Blade of the Andes, evolved alongside him. Both reached A+ rank, placing him far above the global average.
The Survival System recognized him as a Pillar not just for his strength, but for his continental influence. The Second World Summit was now calling upon the world's true Guardians. This time, the venue was a neutral international base in Greenland, built atop a reinforced former scientific station. There would be no politicians. Only the strongest. Only those capable of protecting entire bastions.
When Rob stepped into the summit's central dome, cloaked in black with his sword at his side, the room fell silent… until a joyful voice rang out.
"Rob!"
Thea ran toward him, accompanied by Alex, Lee Ming, and Nikolav. The four Guardians, pillars of their respective continents, approached with warm smiles. Thea was the first to hug him tightly, as if it had been years since she last saw him. Then, before Rob could react, she kissed him on the cheek.
"Don't do that," he whispered, blushing. "My wife will kill me if she finds out."
The others laughed. Even Nikolav, always reserved, smiled faintly. The tension in the room faded for a brief moment—and for just a second, everything felt right.
The Pillars United
The Guardians present were as follows:
✅ Supporters of Rob (Loyal Allies):
Thea (France) – Rank S: Ice Magic.
Alex (United States) – Rank S: 10,000 Weapons.
Lee Ming (China) – Rank S: Fire Magic.
Nikolav (Russia) – Rank S: Extreme Tank.
🟨 Neutral Observers (Unaligned):
Mohammed (India) – Rank A+: Thousand Arms.
Ali (Egypt) – Rank A+: Tutankhamun's Summoning.
Hana Mizuno (Japan) – Rank A+: Spiritual Water Style.
Height: 1.68 m, dark blue tied hair, serene gaze.
Honorable, contemplative, and very traditional.
Remains neutral but watches Rob with respect.
❌ Opposition (Guardians Against Rob):
Yvette (Canada) – Rank A: Absolute Glacial Control.
Valmir (Turkey) – Rank A: Solar Spears.
Rasmus (Norway) – Rank A+: Living Sculpture.
Yun-Seok (South Korea) – Rank A: Mental Screen.
In total, ten Guardians accepted Rob's proposal and signed the Treaty of the Just Pillars. The Survival System responded immediately:
[Emerging Alliance Module – Activated][Recognized Alliance: The Just Pillars – 10 members]
The opposing Guardians, led by Yvette and Valmir, formed their own political group, intending to counter Rob's influence and preserve their nations' sovereignty above any globalist ideal.
As the summit continued, Rob knew this divide marked the beginning of a new era. Not everyone was ready for a united world.
But he was.
Conflicting Visions
The third section of the summit focused on ideological debate—not about power, but about purpose.
It was Yvette who broke the silence. Tall, with silver hair and eyes like freshly carved ice, she raised her voice.
—"Rob represents a threat. What happens when we disagree with his decisions? When he dislikes how we run our regions? Will he turn on us like he did on that creature?"
Alex stood up immediately.
—"Rob fought to protect, not to dominate. I saw him give his life in another timeline. He doesn't want control. He just wants to make sure we don't lose everything again."
Valmir crossed his arms.
—"That's not enough. Symbols are dangerous. They inspire rebellions. They rewrite structures without anyone realizing it. And you, Rob, are now the strongest symbol on the planet."
Rob remained silent for a few seconds, looking at each of those present.
—"I don't ask for obedience," he finally said. "Only that we see each other for what we are: survivors of extinction. I'm here because I know what's coming. I've seen it. And if we're not together… we'll fall, each of us, one by one."
A heavy silence spread through the room. Mohammed closed his eyes. Ali bowed his head.
Thea stepped forward.
—"I follow him. Not out of admiration. But because I trust that when the moment comes, he won't care what flag we carry… only who we are protecting."
One by one, Rob's allies joined him. The Survival System issued a new data line:
[Secondary Alliance Detected – Name Pending Registration][Diplomatic Conflict Level: Medium]
Rasmus watched without moving.
—"If we divide further… the next beast won't ask who's right."
But the rift was already open.
And the shadow watching from afar… smiled.
Testimonies That Shape the Path
Silence still reigned in the great hall when Thea stepped forward again. Her voice, though gentle, echoed with unwavering clarity.
—"I've been the news about Rob since he appeared in this new world. Not once have I seen him seek power for himself. I saw him help the destroyed bastions of the South, I saw him rebuild Chile with his own hands, and I saw him step down to let other Guardians grow and lead. If this man were a tyrant, he could have taken control of South America without resistance. But he didn't."
Alex joined her, arms crossed and expression stern.
—"Rob has saved more lives than any of you can count. Since the apocalypse began, he hasn't sought glory. He's gone where no one wanted to go. Saving those the world forgot. I've seen what those who truly crave power do… and he's not one of them."
Yvette clenched her teeth. Rasmus lowered his gaze. Yun-Seok looked away as if the ceiling had suddenly become more interesting than the discussion.
—"I also saw him in action in Brazil," Lee Ming added with elegance, stepping forward. "He didn't seek titles or claim to lead anything. He just acted where he was needed. Isn't that what we all should do?"
Nikolav, with his deep voice, added:
—"I trust someone who leads by example more than those who hide behind empty speeches. Rob isn't asking for followers. But I won't let him be trampled on just because others fear his strength."
The Survival System, silently, recorded everything. The atmosphere changed. Some Guardians who had watched Rob with suspicion now looked at him with respect. Yes, the divide had opened—but so had the truth.
And Rob… simply took a deep breath, knowing there was still much left to say.
Decisions That Define Alliances
The words spoken by Thea, Alex, Lee Ming, and Nikolav didn't just shift the atmosphere… they reached hearts that had remained distant until then.
Mohammed, who had stood silent the entire time, finally raised his hand. All eyes turned to him. His imposing figure, wrapped in reinforced robes, radiated peace and strength.
—"For three days, I held Mumbai's collapse at bay with nothing but my arms and my faith," he said in a deep voice. "But it wasn't my strength that saved my people… it was the conviction that someone else out there was also fighting to protect their own. Today, I know that someone was Rob."
He walked to the center of the room, where the Just Pillars stood, and joined them.
—"I cannot remain neutral when the truth is this clear."
Ali was next. From his corner, he stepped forward with a slow pace and ancient gaze, as if centuries of history lived within him.
—"My people remember judgment and wisdom. And I have seen how this man acted when he had all the power to dominate… and chose not to. That is rarer than any ability. That is why… I join this cause."
Rob looked up, genuinely surprised.
The Survival System responded without delay:
[Just Pillars Alliance – Update][Active Members: 12 Guardians][Continental Influence Level: HIGH]
Yvette and Valmir exchanged confused glances. Yun-Seok said nothing, but his face reflected growing tension.
The hall was no longer a neutral ground. It had become the birthplace of two very different paths.
The Shadow That Celebrates
Far from the base in Greenland, beyond human perception, in a place untouched by sunlight, a figure watched the filtered transmissions from the Survival System in silence.
Its body was cloaked in a black mist that seemed to absorb the surroundings. It had no visible face—only a blurry silhouette, like a glitch in reality. In front of it floated arcane screens displaying debates, alliances, gestures of unity… and division.
It watched Rob speak. It saw the Guardians align… and others resist.
—"This level 1 civilization is truly foolish," it muttered in a guttural, distorted voice. "Still fighting over insignificant matters just before their own extinction. Hahaha… excellent. Keep dividing. That'll make things easier for me."
It closed one of the screens with a single flick of its finger.
On another projection, giant beasts were slowly emerging from glaciers, deserts, and ocean trenches. Nameless creatures that were never meant to awaken.
—"Now that the mosquito has fallen… it's time to test the next link."
A sharp claw emerged from the mist, marking a specific region on the Earth's projection: Central Africa.
—"Extinction… must continue."
And with a hollow, drawn-out laugh, the chapter closed.
[End of Chapter 29 – The Voice of the Pillars]