The footage spread like wildfire.
It was grainy, silent, and no more than 26 seconds long — but the image was enough.
**A Monarch-level Hero kneeling.**
**A man walking away untouched.**
**Reality itself buckling under his gaze.**
The Hero Association tried to suppress it.
Failed.
Within hours, the dark web, rebel enclaves, and even off-world resistance outposts had a new symbol:
> **☲ THE MONARCH ABOVE THRONES ☲**
> *The One Who Makes Monarchs Kneel.*
They didn't know his name.
Only his **presence**.
---
**Beneath Arcadia Ruins – The Last Resistance Node**
Thirty-seven freedom cells, each from different continents and collapsed nation-states, convened beneath the fractured dome of an ancient orbital cannon site.
General Sura of the Wastelands, Commander Irie from the Pacific Vaults, and cybermind AI 'Orchid' watched the video again.
"This man," Sura growled, "is the first spark we've had in ten years. I don't care where he came from. If he can do that to the Association, imagine what he'll do to the invaders."
Irie shook her head. "He won't ally easily. He doesn't serve. He doesn't submit."
"Good," Orchid hummed. "Let the new age be led by a king who kneels to no one."
---
**\[New World Event: Spark of Sovereignty – Triggered]**
> *Mankind has gained a rallying myth.*
> *You are now considered a Symbol Unit – Hope Class.*
> *All human resistance factions gain +30% morale when your presence is known.*
> *All non-human factions gain +20% alertness when your presence is detected.*
> *Threat Classification Updated: Qin Yu – Species-Level Threat. Code: BLACK ZERO.*
---
**Meanwhile — Deep Orbit, Rift Moon Bastion**
The *Fleshbound Scions*, an elder race of hive-minds who fed on the collapse of worlds, observed the rising storm.
"The sovereign awakens early," one hissed through layers of vocal folds. "We must cull Earth before he solidifies."
Another hissed: "No… let the humans rally. Let them believe. His light will draw out the rest."
"Until?" a third gurgled.
"Until the other gods awaken."
---
**Back on Earth – Shadow of the Iron Continent**
Qin Yu stood at the mouth of an ancient satellite vault, his hands crackling with suppressed energy.
The rebels had finally made contact.
They didn't approach him with handshakes or politics.
They **stood back**.
Watched.
Waited.
A young soldier, barely twenty, stepped forward with a holo-emblem of the resistance.
"...Sir," he said, voice trembling. "We know you don't follow anyone. We're not here to lead you."
He knelt.
Then bowed his head.
"But if you walk… we'll follow."
Behind him, **hundreds** followed.
Ex-soldiers.
Tech monks.
Riftborn exiles.
Even **awakened children**.
They didn't ask him to save them.
They just **stood behind him**.
And in that moment, something in the atmosphere shifted.
---
**\[System Notification: Path Convergence Triggered]**
**Unique Title Gained: Sovereign Flame – Bearer of Humanity's Last Light**
> *Your existence now anchors the collective hope of Earth's remaining human population.*
> *Certain alien entities are now "inhibited" from directly engaging you unless assisted by divine-tier proxies.*
**Reward: Authority +1 | Reality Imprint Access Initiated.**
---
Qin Yu didn't speak.
He turned toward the coming storm — Rift Gates above the southern sky pulsing again, pouring out shapes no longer human, no longer physical.
He raised one hand.
A black hole, smooth and humming, formed at his palm.
"Then I'll walk," he said.
"And they'll burn."
---
End of Chapter 9