Chapter 18: Climbing Karin Tower

After dealing with the pirate treasure, John Doe piloted his plane towards Karin Tower, located in the sacred land of Karin, deep within the northern forests.

Karin was home to a community of Indigenous people who lived in isolation, protected by the dense forest. John flew swiftly, reaching the northern forests and continuing for over an hour until, in the dimming light of dusk and the rising moon, he spotted a white tower standing tall in the forest's center.

He flew closer, and after another hour of flight, he landed his plane at the base of Karin Tower.

As John transformed his plane back into a capsule, a robust Indigenous man emerged from a nearby tent, followed by an Indigenous child.

The man asked, "Who are you, and why have you come to the sacred land of Karin? This is not a place for outsiders!"

John bowed respectfully and introduced himself, "Greetings, guardian. I am a martial artist, and I have come to challenge Karin Tower."

The guardian was taken aback and asked incredulously, "You want to climb Karin Tower? Are you sure? Do you know how difficult it is? How many people in history have successfully climbed it?"

John nodded, "I understand the challenge, but I'm determined. With perseverance, I'll reach the top. I don't know the exact number of people who have climbed it, but I know the last person to do so was 300 years ago."

Seeing John's determination, the guardian, Bora, stopped trying to dissuade him. "When do you plan to start the climb? Now?"

John shook his head, "I'll start tomorrow morning after a good meal. I'm not sure how long it will take, and I need to prepare."

Bora, the father of Upa, held great respect for those who came to challenge Karin Tower as long as they didn't intend to offend the sage. He warmly invited John to join them for dinner.

However, John politely declined, explaining, "Thank you for your kind invitation, but my appetite is quite large. The food you have won't be enough for me. Please wait a moment while I find something to eat in the forest."

John ventured into the forest and soon returned carrying two massive bucks on his shoulders. Bora frowned upon seeing the deer, his brows furrowed in concern.

As an Indigenous person living in the forest and grasslands, Bora despised the greed of humans who took more from nature than they needed.

"Is your appetite so big that you had to kill two deer?" Bora asked, his tone suddenly stern.

John was taken aback by Bora's anger, realizing it was directed at the deer on his shoulders.

"These two deer are just enough for my appetite," John explained. "You'll understand once you see me eat."

Bora remained skeptical, as the two bucks together weighed over 400 pounds, and John's build didn't seem capable of consuming that much food.

Without further explanation, John began preparing and roasting the deer over the campfire. His cooking skills were impressive, and soon the air was filled with the enticing aroma of seasoned meat.

When the meat was fully cooked, John began to eat, and Bora witnessed a sight that would astonish him for the rest of his life. John's eating speed and capacity were incredible, as he devoured both bucks in just over half an hour.

After finishing, John belched contentedly and looked up to see Bora and Upa staring at him in awe. John smiled sheepishly, "Did I scare you?"

Bora gave John a thumbs-up and said admiringly, "You are truly remarkable. I believe you will reach the top of Karin Tower tomorrow."

Although he didn't quite understand the connection between eating and climbing the tower, John couldn't help but smile.

The next morning, John prepared a hearty breakfast and packed some provisions before bidding farewell to Bora and Upa. He began his ascent, climbing with the agility of a cat, swiftly scaling the tower. In an instant, he disappeared into the clouds, leaving Bora and Upa gazing up in wonder.

Upa looked at his father and asked, "Dad, do you think he'll make it?"

Bora smiled and replied, "He will. I can tell he's a strong and capable warrior."

"Stronger than you, Dad?" Upa inquired further.

"Much stronger," Bora assured him, holding Upa in his arms.

As the morning turned to midday, John felt his energy gradually waning. He looked up, but the top of the tower was still hidden within the clouds. The white clouds enveloping the tower's pale exterior made John feel like he was in a fairyland.

After a brief rest, John ate some of the provisions he had brought and continued his climb at a steady pace. He didn't exert himself to the limit but maintained a consistent speed, much like running a 100-meter race, which requires explosive speed and power, compared to a 10,000-meter race, which demands endurance and the ability to sustain the effort.

The height of Karin Tower exceeded John's expectations. He had initially thought that with his current strength, he could reach the top within half a day, but he had underestimated the challenge.

As the sun slowly descended and the moon rose higher in the sky, John finally reached the top of the tower—a massive circular platform.