The attack came swiftly and without warning. Charles Kawalsky had never experienced such a severe injury since his enhancement. In the past, he had always been careful to avoid gunfire, and even when attacked, his reaction speed usually allowed him to evade harm. However, this time, the spear that struck him was made from a strange material. It moved through the air silently, giving him no chance to react, and the sparsely populated area meant he never expected an ambush.
Struggling through the intense pain, Charles reached down to pull out the spear. The moment he touched it, he realized it was made of vibranium.
Carlin and the others, who were with him, immediately recognized the spear as a weapon from their tribe. Klin, familiar with their tribe's attack methods, quickly stepped forward and positioned himself protectively in front of Charles.
"Don't attack, he's not an enemy!" Klin, standing directly in front of Charles, shouted loudly.
Seeing this, the Jabari warrior who had thrown the spear realized he had made a mistake. He quickly lowered his weapon and led a few companions over to Klin and the others.
"What happened?" the tribesman who had thrown the spear asked urgently. "Didn't he send out a distress signal? Isn't he your enemy?"
"Uncle Luba, it was a snow leopard that attacked us earlier, and he saved us," Klin explained hastily.
"A snow leopard? There shouldn't be any within a hundred miles of here," the man named Luba replied, skeptical.
"It appeared, and right now, the person who saved us is seriously injured. Please, help him!" Klin pleaded anxiously.
"Yes, snow leopards are fierce. Even I would get injured confronting one directly, let alone your friend," Luba remarked nonchalantly.
Klin, Charles, and the others exchanged glances, thinking: Ten snow leopards wouldn't have done as much damage as you just did with your spear.
Luba approached Charles and asked, "Where are you injured?"
As if he couldn't see the spear sticking out of Charles' thigh.
Charles, exasperated, pointed to the thigh that was pinned to the ground and locked eyes with Luba.
Klin interjected, "Uncle Luba, he was injured by the spear you just threw."
Luba was stunned, genuinely taken aback. "You mean this little guy fought a snow leopard head-on and only ended up with a spear in his leg?"
Luba wasn't feigning surprise. He knew how dangerous snow leopards could be. Without the vibranium spear, even he had little chance of survival in a solo encounter with one.
After being strengthened by the serum, Charles had grown from less than 5'7" to 6'0". While his muscles were well-defined, they weren't as prominent as Captain America's. He has ripped swimmer build .Though impressive compared to ordinary people, the Jabari, where adult men averaged 6'3" with robust builds, naturally saw Charles as small.
Charles grimaced as he pulled out the spear embedded in his leg. "I'm just a little guy who hasn't even scratched my clothes yet. I didn't expect that after saving a few kids I knew, their parents would greet me with a spear."
As Charles pulled the spear from his leg, the Jabari tribe members collectively gasped. This little guy was tougher than they had anticipated.
Initially, they planned to take Charles to their village for treatment. But now, seeing him pull out the spear on his own, they feared he might bleed out.
The Jabari tribe, despite their seemingly primitive lifestyle, possessed advanced medical techniques. When Black Panther, with his abilities blocked, fell off a cliff and was washed into the snowy Jabari territory, the tribe managed to save him. In the same situation, a modern hospital might have only allowed his family to say their goodbyes, but the Jabari could preserve his life, a testament to their superior medical knowledge.
So, when Charles was pierced by the vibranium spear, Luba thought it wasn't a big deal. As long as they got him back to the tribe, they could heal him easily—provided the spear remained in place. But now, with the spear removed, even they might not have a solution.
Charles pulled out a medical kit, applied a pressure band to his thigh, administered an injection, and sprinkled anti-inflammatory powder to stop the bleeding. He then concentrated on controlling the muscles in his leg to slow the blood flow.
"Your spear is quite something. I didn't even notice what it was made of when you threw it," Charles remarked.
"Ah, this was handed down from our ancestors. It's quite handy for hunting," Luba replied, feigning ignorance as he reached out to retrieve the spear with a smile.
"The material's top-notch. I like it a lot. Thanks for the gift," Charles said, picking up the vibranium spear and placing it in his spatial storage, making it disappear from view.
Those who were unaware of his abilities stared at Charles, trying to figure out where he had hidden the vibranium.
Luba couldn't see where the vibranium had gone. Realizing he had seriously injured the savior of several of their young ones, he was too embarrassed to ask for the spear back, so he retracted his hand, frustrated.
Vibranium was a rare treasure in the outside world, and smuggling it out of Wakanda was a serious crime. But here, it was abundant. Even their farming tools were made from vibranium.
Though the Jabari tribe no longer had a source of vibranium, they still had many vibranium tools from the past, which hadn't worn out. Some tools had been passed down for generations, and though the vibranium weapons were scarce, they weren't running out.
Charles spoke up again, "I still need treatment. Do you have a doctor in your tribe?"
The vibranium spear had pierced his thigh deeply, even affecting the bone. Although his recovery speed was ten times that of an ordinary person, he wasn't at Wolverine's level. Without proper medical help, it could take him a month to fully recover.
"Our tribe's shaman will surprise you," Klin assured him.
Luba hoisted Charles onto his back, and the group started their journey back to the tribe.
In the movie "Black Panther," Charles had seen the grandeur of the Jabari tribe's architecture, standing tall and sturdy among the cliffs. Upon arriving in person, he finally understood.
Except for some decorations, most of their buildings were made entirely of vibranium. The load-bearing structures were pure vibranium, and even the roofs contained traces of the precious metal. Despite losing in the power struggle within Wakanda, the Jabari tribe still had a considerable vibranium reserve.
When they reached the village, groups of robust tribesmen gathered around, asking about the distress signal.
Luba, still carrying Charles, boasted, "We have safely recovered the tribe's seeds." He glanced back at Charles, who smirked at him.
Seeing Charles' expression, Luba awkwardly added, "They encountered a snow leopard. It seems the snow mountain beasts have forgotten the ferocity of our tribe. Fortunately, before we arrived, this friend, who was seriously injured by the leopard, saved our tribe's young ones. Now, we must report to the chief and get him medical treatment."
The crowd cheered, "Well done, Luba! Well done, stranger!"
Charles, feeling somewhat out of place, nodded with a smile, while Luba accepted the praise proudly as he led the way to the Jabari chieftain's hall.
The ground, made of pure vibranium, was imposing and filled with a sense of technological prowess. Animal bones hung as decorations on both sides of the passage, creating a mix of primal and futuristic vibes. At the end of the hallway, two guards stood stoically beside the throne, where the tribe's chieftain sat, overseeing the scene.
M'Baku, the current chieftain, sat on the throne like a cold, imposing mountain. A massive glass wall behind him offered a view of the majestic, solitary snow-capped peaks outside.
If someone spends all day gazing at such a cold and unforgiving landscape, Charles thought, then they must have a heart just as cold and strong.
Luba crossed his arms and bowed, "Honorable M'Batu, the tribe's young ones are safe. This foreign friend rescued them from a snow leopard, but our overzealous warriors accidentally injured him. We request the tribe's doctors to treat him."
M'Batu stood. Towering at over six and a half feet tall, he was even more imposing in person than on the screen. His muscular frame was powerful, his every movement brimming with strength.
------
The mountain-like man emerged from the darkness, and Charles Kawalsky felt a twinge of unease. Whether he could successfully remain in the Jabari tribe hinged on the outcome of this meeting.
A smiling face appeared from the shadows. To be honest, if it weren't for the prominent teeth, Charles might have doubted his eyes. The patriarch, who was rumored to be as calm as the abyss and as cold as the wind, looked more like a tall, naive man.
M'Batu, the leader of this generation, approached and clasped Charles' hand tightly. "Comrade, thank you. You saved the future of our tribe, and from now on, you will be our tribe's benefactor."
Charles reciprocated the grip, holding M'Batu's hand tightly. "Brother, you're too kind. It was my duty to protect my nephew. From now on, you're my older brother. We're family now, and what's mine is yours, what's yours belongs to all mankind."
Klin, standing nearby, was stunned. He felt as though he had invited a friend over, and the next moment, that friend had become his father's brother. This meant he'd have to start calling him uncle .
"Klin, take Uncle Charles to the doctor and make sure he gets a thorough check-up," M'Batu said with a smile.
Klin, feeling as if he had swallowed a fly, couldn't contradict his father with so many people present, so he reluctantly led Charles to the doctor.
After Klin and Charles left, M'Batu turned to Luba. "A few of our teams found traces of wild beasts today. The weather isn't extreme now, so resources shouldn't be an issue. These beasts wouldn't dare to encroach on our territory unless something's amiss. I suspect the white apes in the mountains are causing trouble."
Luba's voice took on a note of panic. "If it's just the white apes, we'll be okay. But if it's that special white ape, or if those wandering apes are taking advantage of the situation, then we're in for trouble again."
"This is just a guess," M'Batu said gravely. "It's hard to say if the white ape is acting up. I want to send a few teams into the mountains to investigate. I hope you'll join the investigation."
Luba smiled confidently. "For the tribe, it's my honor."
M'Batu nodded. "Our spies report that the world outside is growing increasingly chaotic. We must keep our existence hidden. Do you think there's any issue with Charles?"
"He's extremely powerful," Luba replied sincerely.
"He says he's an explorer, someone who exists to uncover the secrets of the world. Meeting Klin and the others was purely by chance. He came here chasing after the legend of an ape-man in the snow-capped mountains." Luba and M'Batu exchanged knowing glances.
The existence of the ape-man wasn't a secret. Long ago, there were unlucky travelers who claimed to have seen the ape-man—a three-meter-tall gorilla with white fur. The Jabari, who had lived in seclusion for centuries, knew of these creatures and had even dealt with them.
The so-called ape-man was actually a rare white-haired gorilla, part of a population that maintained its numbers at around a hundred. These gorillas were highly intelligent, hunting in packs and dominating the snowy mountain food chain. They were omnivorous, eating both fruits and meat. Most encounters with them involved ordinary white apes, but if someone encountered the creature the Jabari called the ape-man, they were unlikely to survive.
Two adult male white apes could take down a snow leopard. The most powerful among them was the "ape-man," akin to Black Panther among the Golden tribe.
According to ancestral records, ordinary white apes lived around 30 years, while the ape-men could live up to 200 years. The ape-men would mate yearly with a female, producing offspring, though not all would inherit the ape-man's genes. Those that did would fight among themselves, with the winner challenging the reigning ape king. If the current ape king was killed, the victor would take his place, and the loser would be exiled to wander the mountains.
These exiled apes would continue to monitor the tribe, waiting for their chance to reclaim their status and challenge the throne.
The last such challenge occurred ten years ago. The old ape king was successfully overthrown by one of his sons and retreated to the depths of the mountains. The new king, now between 60 and 90 years old, has ruled for ten years and fathered only one ape-man.
The Jabari people knew this because, before they settled in these mountains, the entire snowy range belonged to the White Apes. When the Jabari first arrived, the White Apes saw them as "black men from the outside world competing for territory." This led to fierce conflict.
In a one-on-one fight, no human could match a mature white ape. However, humans had an advantage—tools and weapons. The Jabari, equipped with vibranium weapons, eventually forced the White Apes to retreat into the depths of the mountains, allowing the tribe to settle.
Every five years, the Jabari send a team into the mountains to check on the white apes, ensuring that their knowledge remains up-to-date. The information they've gathered over centuries has proven invaluable.
When the Jabari first arrived, even with vibranium weapons, they struggled against the prime-aged ape king. They could only hold onto a small territory for hunting, fighting desperately to maintain their tribe's existence.
Jabari Leader of a later generation received guidance from the White Ape God in a dream. He ventured into the mountains, killed the aging ape king, and consumed its blood and flesh, gaining the White Ape God's blessing and unimaginable strength. With this power, he fought the new ape king and reclaimed his tribe's position.
Armed with this newfound strength, He secretly challenged the Black Panther, but the battle ended in a stalemate. He quietly returned to the mountains.
Tribal records, however, tell a different story: The king emerged from the mountains with the power of thunder, fought the Black Panther in the wilderness, but was injured by an evil ape and had to retreat. His majesty remained unparalleled, and he left with a laugh, sealing the mountain behind him.
Upon his return, He led his people to build their tribe using vibranium, forging weapons even for daily use. Eventually, the white apes no longer posed a significant threat, allowing the Jabari to finally settle.
Eighty years later, He died at the age of 110—a remarkable lifespan considering the average life expectancy of the Jabari was just 60 years that time. The tribe believed his longevity was due to the ape-man's flesh and blood, but since then, no one has been able to replicate his feat and gain the power of the ape-man.
"The legend of the White Ape has persisted for a long time," M'Batu said, "but there's no issue with Charles. He saved our tribe's future. Until there's evidence that he's harmful, we must treat him well."
Luba nodded in understanding and left after seeing that M'Batu had no further instructions.
M'Batu walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window. The wind outside suddenly shifted, thick dark clouds shrouding the mountains, and a biting cold wind swept through.
As he considered the news from the spies about the chaos in the outside world and the unusual activity of the beasts in the mountains, M'Batu's seemingly calm demeanor hid a deep anxiety. The world felt more dangerous than ever, and he knew he needed greater power to protect his people—a power he was determined to find in the snowy mountains.
---------------
"Nephew, are the doctors in your tribe the kind who burn paper into ashes, put it in my mouth, and then sing and dance to cure the disease?" Charles Kawalsky asked with a serious face.
"That's right. If you feel uncomfortable during the treatment, you must not resist. Otherwise, you may be considered possessed by evil spirits. Our 'doctors' will think you've offended the gods and will tie you to a pillar and burn you," Klin said in a serious tone.
Hearing the serious look on Klin's face, Charles smiled awkwardly and said, "I don't think my injury is that serious. I can heal on my own. I see that your tribe is well-off, with no shortage of food and drink. I'll just stay here for a month."
"It's too late for that; we're already here." Klin carried Charles inside, expressionless.
Klin initially thought Charles was a good person—not only had he treated him to delicious food, but he also saved him, Bam, and Kara. He worried about being taken back to the tribe for treatment. Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived, Charles became brothers with his father and shamelessly started calling him nephew, leaving Klin feeling a bit depressed.
He had expected to bring back a friend but ended up finding himself an elder instead. It was truly bewildering.
Despite his complaints, Klin was still very concerned about Charles' injury. What he said before was all a joke. Of course, he wouldn't cheat his savior.
The room where the 'doctor' resided was also made of vibranium. As soon as they entered, a refreshing aroma filled the air, flowing gently into Charles' lungs.
"What kind of plant aroma is this?" Charles asked with interest.
"This is the smell of burning talismans," a slightly teasing female voice came from behind. A tall black woman entered the room, pushing aside the curtain.
Charles realized that the woman had overheard his playful conversation with Klin outside, so he could only laugh awkwardly.
Klin stepped forward and said, "Aunt Rem, this is my savior. He's injured, and I hope you can help him."
The doctor, whom Klin called Aunt Rem, said, "I know. The news has spread outside, and everyone in the tribe knows you were saved by your friend. Many people want to see the friend who fought barehanded against a snow leopard and survived."
As Rem approached Charles, she observed the wound. "The wound on your arm looks like it was bitten by a wild beast, but the wound on your leg seems to have been made by one of our tribe's spears."
After examining Charles' wounds, Rem shared her observations.
"Your wounds haven't bled much. Some of the wounds and blood vessels in your legs have already partially healed. This doesn't look like a fresh injury; it seems like you've been recovering for a week," Rem concluded based on her experience.
Rem then instructed Klin to carry Charles into the house and place him on a table. A device resembling a CT scanner was positioned over Charles' head.
Although Charles knew the Marvel Universe had its oddities, he still felt a sense of disbelief.
Everyone in the Jabari tribe wore fur as clothing and used spears as weapons. They appeared to be a primitive civilization, yet they had advanced scanning technology and breathtaking architectural structures.
In Marvel, all of this is attributed to vibranium, but to Charles, it felt like pure fantasy.
Wakanda was not a large country. Even with the other tribes, it did not have a particularly large population.
A systematic and complete body of scientific knowledge requires countless predecessors to study, discover, and innovate. Geniuses of later generations must study hard to solve their predecessors' puzzles, passing on their knowledge from generation to generation. This is how civilization's inheritance and development are completed.
The larger the population, the more likely it is to produce geniuses. But with Wakanda's tribes numbering fewer than 100 million, the idea that Wakanda had advanced nearly a thousand years ahead of the rest of the Earth seemed fantastical.
As Charles pondered these thoughts, Rem's test results came in.
"You have scratches on your chest and bite marks on your left arm. The most serious injury is the penetration in your thigh, which has also caused some bone damage," Rem paused before continuing.
"Your body is incredibly strong. The density of your muscles is different from that of ordinary people, and your bones are as hard as those of an elephant," Rem noted. "I can see how you saved Luba."
"Your cell division rate is six times that of normal people. When I saw this data, I even suspected that our equipment was faulty. The benefit of this rate is that your self-healing ability is exceptionally powerful. Injuries that would cause paralysis or even death for ordinary people might be just slightly serious for you," Rem said, clearly astonished.
"But sometimes this rapid self-healing can cause problems. For example, some blood vessels in your legs have already connected to nearby capillaries. If you let them heal on their own, you might experience frequent leg numbness and coldness due to poor blood flow," Rem warned seriously.
"The most serious issue is that your cells are diving too quickly. You're still essentially human, and human lifespans have limits, after a certain number of cell divisions the Human DNA accumulates damage. Based on current estimates, you only have about 20 years left. The good news is that you'll maintain your peak condition during these 20 years," Rem said calmly, without sadness or joy.
His cheat gave him the best results of an experiment , Even the most best results of a flawed serum will have flaws.
"You've traded your lifespan for strength," Rem concluded.
For the Jabari tribe, whose average lifespan is only about 60 years, they would be willing to accept living only to 40 in exchange for such power.
But Charles wasn't satisfied. He wished for immortality. After all, he was no longer the exhausted office worker of his past life, trading his life for cheap wages. Now he was strong and full of energy, able to obtain anything he wanted—luxury cars, beautiful women, champagne, and cigars. He also wanted to explore the universe, travel the Milky Way, and wander among the stars. Twenty years wouldn't be enough for him.
This is how normal people think. One minute of overtime work feels too long, while 996 years of enjoying life with a beautiful woman in a car seems too short.
Now Charles' conjecture had been verified: he had only about 20 years left to live, which made him feel both lost and determined in his plans.
As Charles was deep in thought, Luba entered the room.
Though honest and straightforward, Luba could still sense the tension in the air. He said carelessly, "What's going on? Did someone die?"
Charles rolled his eyes at him. "Luba, I will definitely spar with you when I recover."
Luba just smiled and scratched his head. "I noticed the tension, so I was afraid I'd missed something. But when you're healed, I'll definitely give it a try with you. Just be careful with those little arms and legs of yours."
Rem chimed in, "Even if he's not fully healed, you're no match for him."
Luba protested, "Are you kidding? In this tribe, I don't fear anyone in a fight, except for the clan leader. There's no way this little guy could beat me."
Klin explained what Rem had said earlier, and Luba, still puzzled, asked, "I'm a simple man. What does that mean?"
Rem rolled her eyes at him. "It means this 'little guy' could beat you with one hand tied behind his back and make you call him daddy. And when he's fully healed, he'll treat you like a punching bag."
Charles, sensing trouble, shrank back, trying to reduce his presence. There was definitely something off between these two, and he didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
"Little guy, are you really that strong?" Luba asked, approaching Charles.
"He's much stronger than some people who only talk big. Charles, go ahead and show him what you're made of," Rem added teasingly.
Even Klin looked interested, eager to see if Charles was really that powerful.
Charles realized there was no escape. Not wanting to offend anyone, he resorted to a tactic.
"Ouch... Oh, my leg hurts so much! Doctor, please treat me quickly," Charles feigned agony.
"Get out of my way, don't block me from treating him. If you have something to say, do it somewhere else. This is no place for fighting," Rem said, while using an instrument on Charles to promote healing, applying herbs to prevent inflammation.
"This time, the field investigation team has me on the waiting list, and the clan leader wants us to conduct an in-depth investigation," Bam said.
Rem paused for a moment, "Just go. I go once every five years; it's no big deal."
"This time is different. There's news of a White Ape uprising. Judging by the clan leader's reaction, I think he plans to join us," Luba said seriously, dropping his usual carefree demeanor.
--------------
"Do you think the patriarch intends to personally investigate the depths of the snow-capped mountains?" Rem voiced her doubts about Luba's judgment while using instruments to treat Charles Kawalsky.
From her perspective, Luba's intelligence did not match his ability to interpret people's emotions.
"In past investigations, the patriarch never provided specific explanations. This time, he specifically reminded me, and given the patriarch's character, he will definitely send someone personally for Charles Kawalsky, the one who saved his son. But he seems preoccupied right now, and that hasn't escaped old Luba's notice," Luba said confidently.
Charles Kawalsky, who was standing by, was very excited. If he could accompany the Jabari people, his chances of finding the White Apes would be much higher.
"I came here to search for the apes deep in the snow mountains. If possible, I hope to venture into the depths of the snow mountains with you. I'm quite strong and can carry a lot of supplies. I would be very useful to you," Charles Kawalsky said earnestly.
Luba was skeptical about Charles Kawalsky's claims of strength but was intrigued by his offer to carry supplies.
"Is your ability to store things in your bum?"
When Charles Kawalsky heard Luba's description, he was left speechless, though he found it difficult to refute.
"But I don't know when your wound will heal. We'll depart in two weeks," Luba said with a hint of regret.
"That's not the issue. His wound can heal within a week with our herbal medicine, but the real issue is," Rem interjected, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "The key point is that there have never been foreigners in the exploration team before. If Charles Kawalsky joins, the clan leader will need to be consulted."
Rem's words subtly indicated to Charles Kawalsky that the clan leader's approval was needed to join the team.
Charles Kawalsky understood but was not particularly concerned. If this generation of M'Baku agreed, it would be easier for him to join their team directly. If not, he could still follow them from a distance using a telescope in his bag, observing from three or four miles away, confident they wouldn't detect him.
The most crucial part of the plan to find the White Ape was locating the Jabari tribe.
Charles Kawalsky's initial plan was to acquire specific information about the White Ape from the Jabari tribe in a more forceful manner. However, having rescued their young master and gained some limited friendship with them, his original aggressive plan was no longer necessary.
After all, he had just become allies with M'Baku, and he felt awkward about taking any further drastic measures.
Luba said, "Charles Kawalsky saved the seeds of our tribe and is a friend of our tribe. Since we can help our friends fulfill their wishes, I don't think the tribe leader will refuse."
With that, Luba went to discuss with M'Baku.
Seeing Luba leave, Charles Kawalsky had a guess. The Jabari tribe might not care much about his personal strength, but they would definitely be concerned about how he could provide supplies.
Sure enough, after Luba reported back to M'Batu, he asked, "Did he specify how much he could carry and how?"
"He didn't provide specifics. He just mentioned he could carry a lot," Luba replied.
"It seems this explorer is not ordinary, but if he were just an average person, he wouldn't be able to travel the world on his own," M'Batu said expressionlessly.
"And he is powerful. According to Rem, he could easily handle me," Luba added, somewhat unconvinced. He claimed to be the second warrior of the tribe and had never fought against Charles Kawalsky, so he doubted that he was outmatched by him.
M'Batu was surprised. Knowing Rem's relationship with Luba, he considered that her claim of Charles Kawalsky being able to handle Luba might be an exaggeration to motivate Luba. However, if Charles Kawalsky could defeat Luba, it would certainly enhance the survival chances of their group.
He made a mental calculation and said to Luba, "Let's go see him tomorrow and ask him how much he can bring, then make a specific plan."
Meanwhile, Charles Kawalsky had finished his treatment and was enjoying hot meal with Rem and Klin.
Although Rem was curious about how Charles Kawalsky managed to produce items, she did not press for details. At that moment, the delicious food was her primary concern.
Despite Charles Kawalsky's average cooking skills, he used top-quality ingredients, and hot pot itself does not require elaborate preparation.
Moreover, Rem and the others were used to only salt as seasoning. Charles Kawalsky impressed them with condiments far superior to their usual ones and brought out sweet wine. After a few glasses, Klin and Rem were quite tipsy.
Rem even playfully pulled Charles Kawalsky's younger brother and kept shouting at him, while Klin repeatedly called him a good uncle. Seeing the moment was right, Charles Kawalsky began asking them if they knew the story of Tarzan.
Rem giggled and said, "What's Tarzan? the ape King is pretty much the same," and burped.
"That must be what I misheard. Good sister, please tell me about the man ape jabari king," Charles Kawalsky asked with a forced smile.
"Uncle, ask me. I know," Klin, who was drunk, said. "Sir, I can answer that."
Charles Kawalsky poured Klin another glass of wine and said, "Then tell me the story of the man ape king."
Klin squinted, took a sip of wine, and started to recount the tale...
While they drank, Charles Kawalsky not only learned about M'Baku the ape but also discovered all of Jabari's investigations into the White Ape over the centuries.
Discovering that there was more than one so-called ape-man made Charles Kawalsky very happy. This time, he could hunt all the ape-men, eat their flesh, drink their blood, and allow himself to evolve. Moreover, if successful, his lifespan would be extended. It was like a two-for-one deal.
The next day, M'Baku visited Rem's medical center and was surprised to see Klin and Rem asleep on the table. He quickly woke them up and asked what happened.
"That guy Charles Kawalsky brought out a bunch of food and said he wanted to treat Klin and me. He served so much delicious food that I lost track and ended up drinking a bit too much," Rem explained, shaking her dizzy head.
"What did you drink? Are you okay?" Luba asked anxiously.
Rem understood his concern and didn't respond sarcastically. Instead, she said, "It's nothing. The drink must be the wine. We've lived in the snow-capped mountains for centuries without the raw materials to make it and trade relations with other wakandan tribes are non-existent . It's always been a regret of our ancestors. Now, tasting it, I understand their sentiment."
Luba's heart was relieved upon hearing this. He was also curious about the wine Rem mentioned and picked up a bottle from the table to taste.
Drinking too quickly, Luba choked and spat out the wine, then coughed violently.
Seeing Luba's reaction, Rem laughed. She recalled choking on her first sip the previous night and said, "Drink slowly, don't choke."
Embarrassed, Luba took another sip. The sweet and refreshing fruit wine filled his throat with a unique fruitwood fragrance. The combination of sweetness and warmth quickly won Luba over.
He continued drinking heartily, ignoring his previous choking experience.
After finishing half the bottle, Luba was sweating and sighed in contentment. Ignoring the presence of the clan leader, he slammed the bottle on the table and exclaimed, "It's fantastic!"
M'Batu was more focused on Charles Kawalsky's ability to produce supplies from nowhere. Rem didn't know how Charles Kawalsky managed it—he simply reached back and pulled out items.
M'Batu, not getting an answer, started asking Rem where Charles Kawalsky was.
At that moment, Luba slammed the bottle on the table, startling the two people talking.
Charles Kawalsky, who was sleeping inside, was also awakened. He came out and asked, "What's going on so early?"
M'Batu asked, "Good brother, please tell me how much supplies you can bring at one time."
Charles Kawalsky gestured, indicating it was roughly the size of the room they were in, which was about four meters in length and width.
Charles Kawalsky could carry a significant amount of supplies and store additional items in his space, allowing him to transport about 300 cubic meters of goods. However, he only revealed half of this.
M'Batu was thrilled. Even a fraction of that space would be sufficient for the investigation team's needs for a month. With Charles Kawalsky's capacity, the team could sustain themselves in the snowy mountains for an entire year if properly managed. M'Batu was delighted and said to Charles Kawalsky, "Okay, we welcome you to join our team."
Charles Kawalsky suppressed his excitement. Joining the investigation team was a major step forward. If he could successfully kill the White Ape when he encountered it, he would have achieved his goal for this stage.
Charles Kawalsky extended his hand with a smile and said, "It's a pleasure to cooperate."
M'Batu shook his hand in agreement, signaling that they had reached a cooperation deal.
M'Batu shook his hand back and signaled that the two had reached an agreement on cooperation. Charles Kawalsky was responsible for providing supplies, and the investigation team could help Charles find the White Ape tribe and allow him to document it.
M'Batu said sheepishly, "Hey, good brother, do you still have that wine? That fool Luba drank it all in one go. I'd like to have a taste too."
Charles was naturally generous, so he took out another box and said to M'Batu, "I'll keep a few bottles for myself, but I'll give this box to you."
M'Batu responded sheepishly, "Thank you then. I'll definitely let you take pictures of the Ape King when the time comes."
Luba also stood up, looking at Charles with a pitiful expression. Charles understood what he meant and took out two bottles of wine, handing them to Luba.
"I only have one bottle left and I need to drink it myself. You came too late, so don't blame me for giving you less," Charles reassured him.
"Of course I don't mind, haha. I'll protect you on the road," Luba laughed.
In Luba's heart, although Charles fought the snow leopard alone and Rem personally said he could beat him, admitting his strength, he had never made a move and was not convinced.
He was very grateful. Although he didn't need his protection, Charles's kindness was still appreciated.
He was generous and didn't hold back. He took out a dagger from his waist and said, "I see you liked the spear from before, but you still lack a close-quarters weapon. I'll give you this dagger."
Charles wasn't concerned with formality. This was a vibranium dagger. He kept playing with it and then asked, "Do you still have weapons? I can also give you some good stuff from outside."
Luba chuckled, "We have plenty of daggers like this, so don't worry."
Charles sent Luba away, and the phrase "We have more than enough" kept lingering in his mind. He called Klin over and began preparing to complete a plan during this time.
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"Brother Charles Kawalsky, how many candies can I exchange for this fork?" "I also want to exchange for this kitchen knife. I want cake." "And me, this hoe at home, I want to exchange for chocolate."
A group of children from the Jabari tribe chattered around Charles Kawalsky, eager to exchange their possessions for his unusual snacks.
"Don't rush, don't rush. One pound of tools can be exchanged for three pounds of snacks. Form a line and be quiet. Everyone will get a turn. Brother Kawalsky has plenty of things here," Charles said with a grin.
A few days ago, Charles had started a 'street stall economy' in the Jabari tribe, offering candies, chocolates, and other treats. The children had never seen such colorful food before. They were fascinated but unsure what they could offer in exchange.
Charles had heard that everything in these people's homes, even their forks, was made of vibranium. Although they didn't realize their own wealth, Charles knew and was keen to make the most of it.
So, he smiled with the friendly demeanor of a typical vendor.
"Children, why don't you try it first? I'll let you taste it. If you like it, you can buy more," he said, unwrapping a candy and putting it in one of the children's mouths.
The child's eyes lit up as soon as he tasted the candy.
Charles said, "If you want more, I'll give you some. Take this handful of candies and chocolates and share them with your friends."
The Jabari tribe, living in the harsh snowy mountains, relied heavily on unity. This sense of community was so ingrained that even the children were eager to share.
The child didn't keep the treats to himself; he shared them with his friends. Within ten minutes, he led a group of teens back to Charles's stall.
Charles took out a cake, cut it, and distributed it among the children. They eagerly devoured it but still looked at him with longing eyes.
Seeing the promotional effect taking hold, Charles was pleased. Free things always have the greatest allure.
When the children still wanted more, he said, "Brother has more things, but I need to trade for something in return."
"Brother, what do you want? I have meat at home. Can I trade it for these things?" asked the first child.
"Brother doesn't want meat. Your parents worked hard for it. It's too precious for me to take," Charles replied sincerely.
"Then we don't have anything else," a little girl said timidly.
"How about this: you can exchange any metal items you have at home, like forks and knives," Charles suggested, maintaining his earnest expression.
The children, convinced that Charles was a kind person, rushed home to gather their items.
Soon, they returned with forks, knives, hoes, and other metal items, accompanied by their parents.
The adults, curious about what their children were doing, followed them. They were concerned that their children might be tricked, so they came to check on the situation.
Charles weighed each item on a scale. One pound of vibranium was exchanged for three pounds of candy and chocolate. The parents saw that Charles was fair in his dealings and said nothing.
Charles was delighted. The items the children brought were genuine vibranium! In the outside world, vibranium is sold by the gram. The money from selling even a gram of it could buy a candy factory.
If there hadn't been a limit on the candies, Charles would have happily exchanged one pound of vibranium for ten pounds of candy.
When the adults saw their children happily enjoying the candies and observed that Charles was fair and didn't tamper with the scales, they relaxed and prepared to head home.
However, Charles wasn't done. If he could profit from the children, he certainly wouldn't miss the chance to profit from the adults.
He brought out a jar of fine salt. During the war, salt and candies were valuable commodities. Charles had stockpiled them, planning to profit from them elsewhere, driven by a sort of petty bourgeois mentality from his past life. More money was always better.
Although the salt and candies had been traded for gold, exchanging them for vibranium was an unexpected bonus.
Charles said to the adults, "These are fine salts. If you need them, you can exchange them for metal. One pound of metal can be exchanged for ten pounds of salt."
Salt was the only seasoning available to the Jabari tribe, and its supply was limited. When they heard Charles's favorable exchange terms, the adults quickly went home to gather more items to trade.
In less than a week, Charles had exchanged most of his salt and candies for a large amount of vibranium, clearing out his previous stock. He looked at the substantial amount of vibranium in his portable space and was truly pleased.
Though vibranium is light, it is still metal and heavier than water. Seeing the amount in his warehouse made Charles smile like a wealthy landlord with a great harvest.
After a week of trading, Charles had replaced most of his hoarded salt and candies with vibranium. With his injuries healed, he was ready to see how M'Batu's preparations were progressing.
"It has been confirmed that the recent increase in wild beasts is due to the uprising of the white ape clan in the mountains," reported a tall black man to M'Batu.
"We will send 50 warriors from the tribe to investigate thoroughly. This mission could take as little as three months and as long as six months. This will leave us with insufficient guards, making it hard to gather enough food during the hunting season. The tribe will face great difficulty," the elder of the tribe, who also served as an adviser, said.
"The situation outside is unstable, and with the white ape clan causing trouble, we must strengthen ourselves. I plan to challenge the ape king and gain the power of the Ape King," M'Batu said, discussing with the elder but sounding uncertain.
"But food and defense are real problems. Fifty strong men can carry enough food for half a month, but maintaining their combat effectiveness over long distances will be difficult," the elder added.
"I will handle the logistics. I can provide food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I also have a plan to solve the tribe's defense issues," Charles said, entering the room.
He didn't want any distractions from his enhancement efforts.
"Aren't you the one who set up the stall recently?" the elder asked, recognizing Charles, who had provided a lot of fine salt.
"He is Charles Kawalsky, an explorer. He will join our expedition and has resources to offer, which will be very helpful," M'Batu introduced briefly.
"I must ask, what do you mean by providing food, clothing, housing, transportation, and defense?" the elder inquired politely.
"Literally, I can provide all these supplies for the investigation team along the way," Charles replied respectfully.
"With more than 50 people, they will need a lot of supplies. Although your equipment seems impressive and unlike ordinary things, it's not easy to transport so much," the elder said, speaking pleasantly and showing a hint of disbelief.
Seeing the elder's courteousness, Charles said, "Elder, please take a look."
With a wave of his hand, numerous tents appeared on the ground: military camouflage, civilian luxury, special warm tents for snow, lightweight picnic tents, and a super-large tent capable of housing 30 people, complete with an enormous air bed. Charles had received a discount on it because the boss had been curious about the need for such a large tent.
In addition to the tents, there were also piles of military rations.
The sight of the massive supply collection left the elders and M'Batu astonished. M'Batu had expected Charles to bring a lot of supplies, but he didn't anticipate such a vast amount. Charles had brought a fortune.
Even though M'Batu didn't understand capitalism, he was now enamored with the benefits it offered.
Looking at Charles, who was now in charge of providing food and shelter, M'Batu quickly forgot any reservations he had. If Charles had set a trap, M'Batu would have jumped in without hesitation.
After regaining his composure, M'Batu said, "I've heard about your street stall. Given the supplies you've provided, we won't be stingy. What do you want in return?"
"I'm interested in your metal. It's quite different from the metals outside. If possible, I'd like to trade for some," Charles said.
"Of course, if you don't have any, that's fine. I've accumulated a lot of metal recently," Charles added.
The elder and M'Batu exchanged glances and seemed to come to a decision.
M'Batu said, "Come with me."
Charles followed M'Batu across a suspension bridge to another snow-capped mountain.
M'Batu led Charles to the base of the mountain and pointed to a pile of rocks. Together, they removed the stones, revealing a metal door embedded with advanced technology. The door was ten meters high and five meters wide, with a sleek and smooth surface.
Charles pushed against the door, but it felt less solid than an ordinary metal door. The force he applied seemed to dissipate as if absorbed by the door. The reaction force from the metal pushed him back. It was clear that the door was made of vibranium.
At that moment, M'Batu removed a necklace of animal teeth, revealing a key hidden inside. He approached a rock next to the door, pressed a hidden switch, and a metal panel popped open, revealing a keyhole. M'Batu inserted the key and turned it. The metal door slowly opened.
As the door fully opened, the scene inside caused Charles to experience a shock.
--
After opening the door, Charles Kawalsky was truly shocked by what he saw. The cave was long and deep with no end in sight, and the densely packed mines on both sides were filled with ores.
Charles Kawalsky asked in disbelief, "Are all these ores vibranium?"
After receiving M'Batu's affirmative reply, Charles swallowed hard.
"This is all our vibranium. You can take away the same volume of vibranium as the supplies you took out," M'Batu said. "I also want to know how you plan to help us with the defensive problem you mentioned."
Seeing M'Batu's frankness, Charles no longer concealed his intentions. He took out a shotgun from his space and introduced it to M'Batu.
"This is a German shotgun. It's easy to operate and easy to reload. With this gun, even a weak person can take down a beast," Charles said as he demonstrated by shooting a stone outside. The stone shattered into several pieces on the spot.
Before M'Batu could recover from his surprise, Charles continued his demonstration.
"But the disadvantage of this gun is its short attack range. It's difficult to hit distant targets."
He then took out a sniper rifle and continued the introduction.
"This gun is a sniper rifle. It's powerful and has a long shooting range. Unfortunately, the rate of fire is too slow. It's suitable for taking out enemies from a hundred meters away." Charles loaded the rifle and fired at a stone more than 100 meters away. The stone, the size of a washbasin, turned into rubble instantly. M'Batu, who was not short-sighted, could see this clearly.
"This is a rifle. It fires quickly, is powerful, and has a wide attack range. When facing several enemies at once, one shot can turn the enemy into a hornet's nest."
"This weapon is called a heavy machine gun. If you place a few of these on your tower, even if a hundred beasts come, they won't be able to make it back." Charles then took out a few more mortars and grenades. As he demonstrated these to M'Batu, M'Batu's entire body tingled with excitement.
At the end of the demonstration, M'Batu embraced Charles and said, "Brother, take as much vibranium as you can. I want all your rifles and machine guns. How does that sound?"
"Okay, I will also provide you with 50 cubic meters of ammunition, 800 mortar shells, and 30 boxes of heavy machine gun ammunition. This should be enough for your tribe to defend against the invading beasts," Charles agreed to M'Batu's proposal.
In the end, the two parties reached a friendly cooperation agreement. M'Batu exchanged vibranium for Charles's weapons. Charles not only provided ammunition but also trained the tribesmen on how to use these weapons.
Charles felt that this transaction was truly worthwhile. The weapons were captured from a Hydra base and took up space in his inventory. Replacing them with vibranium, the most famous metal in the Marvel Universe, was a fair trade. Even if he didn't need the vibranium himself, having it in his possession was satisfying.
Both parties were pleased with the cooperation, believing that the transaction had not only solved their current problems but also cleared out some inventory.
Charles finally advised M'Batu to store the ammunition in a dry, ventilated place away from water or fire. The Jabari tribe had many vibranium-built basements that met these requirements.
M'Batu, upon returning to the tribe, immediately gathered the villagers and asked Charles to teach them how to use firearms. He spent his days at this training center, and soon, the agreed departure day arrived.
Unlike their initial appearance, the Jabari tribe was now fully armed. Two heavy machine guns were placed on the village watchtower, and there were additional patrols with rifles to guard against beasts expelled by the white apes from the depths of the snowy mountains.
Looking at the heavily armed patrols, M'Batu breathed a sigh of relief. Initially, he worried that taking so many young adults would leave the village defenseless and vulnerable to attacks. But now, it seemed that all these concerns had been addressed thanks to Charles's contributions.
Charles, on the other hand, took a camera and kept photographing the villagers seeing him off and the investigation team. While taking pictures, he asked them about their feelings, whether they were reluctant to leave, and if they had found wives.
After asking a few young men, who were hiking in the snowy mountains for the first time, and seeing them cry, M'Batu feared that further questions might affect the morale of the team. He quickly sent someone to pull Charles back and advised him to ask more positive questions to maintain the team's morale.
Charles gave M'Batu a thumbs-up, smiled broadly, and said, "Got it."
So Charles turned around and asked the villagers, "Are you happy?"
As the shaman performed a series of singing, dancing, and prayers for the investigation team, with the last prayer resembling rap, the team began their journey, heading deep into the snow-capped mountains.
In February 1939, deep in the snowy mountains, more than 2 kilometers away from the Jabari tribe.
After over a month of traveling, the team arrived at the area where the white ape population had been recorded.
Since the snow in the depths of the mountains was over 1 meter thick, the team's progress was slow. They covered 5 kilometers in the morning and 5 kilometers in the afternoon each day. Unlike before, when they had to carry supplies on their backs, now they could pack lightly.
However, the journey was slower than before because M'Batu did not force the team to speed up for various reasons. Thanks to Charles's supplies, everyone in the investigation team not only maintained their weight but even gained some. They were well-fed and well-rested.
Although traveling was strenuous, the routine of covering 5 kilometers in the morning, having a tent for lunch breaks, and Charles preparing canned food for everyone made life more comfortable than in the tribe.
Still, many men, filled with energy, wanted to find some entertainment.
Charles noticed this and, concerned that their camaraderie might deteriorate, proposed a boxing championship with a bottle of premium vodka as the prize.
Naturally, M'Batu would not participate in the competition but saw no harm in it. On one hand, it would help expend excess energy, and on the other, it would maintain combat readiness.
Most of the men had never drunk alcohol, so they were not interested in the prize. However, the idea of earning the title of boxing champion motivated them. Winning was seen as an honor for their ancestors.
So, the men prepared for the competition with enthusiasm, eager to prove themselves.
The competition was held in a trial format, with two teams competing against each other. The winners progressed to the next round. Amid the snow-covered mountains, a group of bare-chested men showcased their fists and kicks, creating an exciting spectacle. M'Batu proudly said to Charles, "Look at our Jabari warriors."
"As expected of a resilient tribe living deep in the snow-capped mountains, they are indeed tough and determined," Charles praised, although he felt like dozing off. He adhered to the principle of saying positive things without asking for anything in return.
Luba, who claimed to be the second-best warrior of the tribe, reached the fifth round. His opponent, who had received a bye in the previous round, was well-rested and put up a tough fight.
Although Luba was a skilled warrior, the investigation team had selected elite fighters, and Luba eventually succumbed to exhaustion, having fought a hard battle.
Charles found Luba's frustrated expression amusing.
The final champion was not Luba's opponent. Luba was defeated by Duma, a towering man who stood two meters tall. Charles intended to award the winner with vodka, but as soon as he stood up, he saw the champion pointing at him, eager for a match.
The investigation team had heard of Charles's prowess, including his encounter with the snow leopard, and was eager to test his skills. Despite Charles being the tribe's benefactor, they seized this opportunity to gauge his abilities.
Charles looked at M'Batu, who smiled and said, "Let them see how powerful you are."
Encouraged by M'Batu's words, Charles shed his shirt. Although it was cold, a burning energy emerged from within him. He stepped into the center of the crowd and faced Duma.
Duma, towering over Charles at 1.8 meters, was visibly larger and stronger. However, he sensed a dangerous aura from Charles.
Charles adjusted his muscles, reducing his strength to a manageable level to avoid making the fight too easy.
Without hesitation, Charles advanced and kicked Duma in the calf. Duma tightened his calf muscles to resist, testing Charles's strength.
With a "thud," Charles's kick made a noticeable impact. Although not very forceful, the pain was sharp due to the focused point of contact.
Duma, though not very strong, had high tolerance. He judged the situation and rushed forward, intending to use his strength to overpower Charles.
Duma's charge was like an eagle swooping down. His large wingspan blocked Charles's path. If successful, and if Charles did not adjust his strength, the fight would end swiftly.
However, Charles was no novice in combat.
Instead of retreating, he advanced, using judo's cross-body technique. He fell sideways, grabbing Duma's calf and leveraging it to throw Duma to the ground.
Charles quickly turned, twisted Duma's calf, and forced him into submission. Unable to get up, Duma had to admit defeat.
Charles quickly twisted Duma's calf and pulled it back forcefully. Unable to get up, Duma had no choice but to admit defeat.
In real combat, the outcome is determined swiftly. During a competition, points are scored, but in a true fight, there's no time for scoring; if the enemy catches you, the fight could end right there.
Moreover, Duma and the others used straightforward fighting techniques, so it wasn't surprising that Charles, with his profound combat skills, secured a quick victory.
After his victory, Charles picked up the vodka from the ground, laughing wildly at the people around him. "It seems this bottle of good liquor is mine to enjoy alone."
With that, he unscrewed the lid and poured the vodka down his throat. The fiery liquid flowed from the corner of his mouth onto his bare chest, exuding a reckless and heroic aura. At this moment, Charles's victory forced some to put away their original contempt, establishing his own prestige.
Seeing that everyone had been subdued by him, Charles pulled out more vodka and addressed the Jabari tribesmen present: "Brothers, to be fortunate enough to meet you all in this vast, snowy mountain is truly one of life's greatest blessings. You are all strong, honorable men. As we gather today, we should eat meat and drink wine in large bowls. We won't go home until we're drunk!"
With that, he opened another bottle of vodka and drank. Though the others didn't know the taste of the liquor, seeing Charles's bold and carefree demeanor ignited a fire in their hearts. One by one, they opened their bottles and drank heartily.
Charles was even more pleased to see this. This is what a good man should do. Life doesn't get better than this.
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