Inside the Blackwatch Command Center, Graves, Mark, and Richard stepped into a secluded room designed for confidential discussions. Sara chose this moment to step away, explaining that she would spend the celebration with Lisa instead.

Richard nodded in understanding and allowed her to leave without any objections.

Richard knows that this is going to be a serious discussion, but he has to hear what Mark has to say.

"So...Mark, your tone was quite serious back there. Care to tell me what’s on your mind?" Richard began, taking his seat.

Mark took his seat as well and then cleared his throat. "With Lin Feng gone, there is no one that could stand as a major threat to the world anymore. But I should remind you that even if the war is over, there is still something that needs to be done. For example, the new global order. Almost all of the countries in the world collapsed during the zombie apocalypse with no hope of ever rebuilding themselves without assistance. So, I think Blackwatch should lead this world to a new order, with you being the supreme commander."

"But if you were to declare yourself that," Graves joined. "The United States won’t take it very nicely. They are going to see it as a power grab. Not to mention, a potential war might break out between Blackwatch and the United States."

Richard listened to both of their concerns intently. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice carrying a firm resolve. "I appreciate your insights, and I remember our discussions about this before the war with Lin Feng. My decision stands. I will lead the new world order."

Seeing the surprise on both Graves’ and Mark’s faces, Richard continued, "I understand the risks involved, and I’m aware of how the United States and other nations might perceive this move. However, I can’t stand by the way the world was run before the apocalypse. It was filled with inequality, corruption, and endless conflict. We have a unique opportunity to reshape our world into a place where such issues are addressed from the ground up."

He leaned forward, emphasizing his point. "Blackwatch has the technology, the resources, and the moral compass to guide the world to a better future. Yes, declaring myself as a leader will come with its challenges, but it’s a necessary step. We can’t afford to rebuild the world as it was. We need strong, unified leadership to prevent history from repeating itself."

Graves and Mark exchanged looks, the weight of Richard’s words sinking in.

"Richard," Mark finally said, "if you’re set on this path, then you’ll have our support. But the world with you as its center, most of the time, will fall to dictatorship and tyranny."

"I don’t think I will fall to any temptations of tyranny or dictatorship," Richard replied confidently. "The goal is not to rule with an iron fist but to guide with wisdom and fairness. We’ll establish a council within Blackwatch, comprising representatives from different sectors and countries. This council will ensure that all decisions are made transparently and with the global good in mind."

"Well...as long as you are the leader, Richard, I’m going to still follow you. We are your most faithful and loyal subject, as well as the rest of the Blackwatch forces. Your wish is our command," Graves said.

"Come on guys, really, I’m not going to really fall for the trap of becoming a dictator... It’s about leading with a vision for a better future, not about commanding with an iron grip. Our focus should be on rebuilding, not ruling," Richard clarified, trying to ease the tension in the room.

"Okay, so most of the post-war is focused on rebuilding. And it’s going to take years given that there are still zombies lurking and roaming in the streets of every country. We will have to extend our presence everywhere and clear those threats," Mark said.

"Yeah...as a reward for defeating Lin Feng, I have eternal access to the military system. That means I can still summon troops that will constitute clearing the world of zombies at maximum efficiency," Richard added. "This will be our first step towards stabilization. Clearing out the remaining zombie threats will not only make the areas safe for rebuilding but also restore hope to the surviving populations."

"But what if we explore other things, hear me out," Mark said and continued. "Sir...you think that you and Lin Feng are the only ones who possess a system? Where one person can gain power by completing a quest and then doing things in exchange for the currency of the system?"

"I haven’t thought of that," Richard said, his eyes focusing on Mark. "But it is indeed a possibility. There could be many system holders out there. One who is probably more dangerous than Lin Feng. However, the system said I defeated the final boss, so I don’t think there’d be any of them. Still, it is a possibility we can’t ignore," Richard concluded, acknowledging the complexity of the situation.

He added. "We must remain vigilant. Just because the system indicated that Lin Feng was the final boss doesn’t mean there aren’t other threats out there. We could be facing individuals with similar or even greater powers, hidden from our current understanding."

Graves chimed in, "It’s crucial, then, that we not only focus on rebuilding but also on creating a comprehensive defense strategy. We need to monitor for any unusual activities or signs of other system holders."

"Though I definitely wish that there’d be no other system users. I hope it’s just me so that we can settle the problem of the world peacefully without any further conflict," Richard said, reflecting on the potential challenges ahead. "But hope alone isn’t enough. We need to prepare for all possibilities."

"Well let’s say they do exist," Graves said. "They won’t have the tools to defeat us. After all, we are Blackwatch, at any moment’s notice, we can become the world’s largest military in the entire world. And possibly the most trained and coordinated. Any other countries’ military has fallen to the apocalypse so it’s safe to say we hold a significant advantage in terms of manpower and technology," Graves concluded confidently.

As they were discussing, Mark’s phone buzzed with a text message. He glanced at it briefly, then looked up with a serious expression.

"Who was that?" Richard asked, noticing the sudden change in Mark’s demeanor.

"It’s the president," Mark replied, putting his phone down. "He informed me that he will be arriving in the Philippines next week. Wants to discuss our role in the global rebuilding effort and how Blackwatch can assist in stabilizing the region."

"Yeah...so it’s time huh?" Graves mused.

"It is indeed...the inevitable talk."