Phase 2 is very clearly a countdown.
Just not many reaching it.
Phase 2 shifts to a countdown timer so we fit the brief just not many are reaching that point.
Hitting 100% threat will trigger it. The idea being that you have now become a singularity and phase 2 has you taking control of the worlds defenses to wipe out the humans … with a clear countdown at the top.
We wanted it to be a surprise.