It had only been a little over two years since Yamiru defeated Satan and proclaimed to the world as the Guardian of Earth, announcing the existence of Korin Tower.
To be honest, he was quite surprised. In just over two years, the first challenger had appeared… or rather, someone had actually found Korin Tower.
He hadn't broadcast its location to everyone, after all…
'This person must have lived relatively close by…' Yamiru quietly sensed the ki of the climber. Its strength was around 100 in battle power—already quite impressive for an Earthling. When Yamiru himself had climbed Korin Tower back in the day, he hadn't been much stronger than this.
Yet, this person's ki felt… ordinary.
Goku's ki was optimistic, lively, and pure—like warm sunlight…
Gohan's ki was calm, kind, and mellow—like the clear springs of Mount Paozu…
The Turtle Hermit's ki was open-minded and solid, sometimes carrying a hint of mischief…
Even Tien shinhan's ki was silent yet resolute, reflecting his stern personality…
And though he hadn't interacted much with Yamcha, his ki was wild and untamed, mixed with a touch of tenacity…
But the ki of the person below was a jumbled mess—fear (probably from encountering demons in the jungle), confusion mixed with regret, skepticism toward the so-called Guardian, lingering awe at the sight of Korin Tower, and finally, a resigned "Well, I'm already here…" attitude.
Yamiru knew this person wouldn't make it.
By the time they reached 600 meters, he could clearly sense their ki plummeting. Their stamina was draining fast, likely gasping for breath.
Their ki radiated exhaustion, hesitation, regret… and fear. Yamiru guessed they had looked down.
After a pause, they kept climbing—slower now.
800 meters…
1,000 meters…
At 1,600 meters, dusk settled in. Against the sunset, the towering black pillar of Korin Tower stretched into the sky, and the Earthling clinging to its side hadn't moved in a long time. At this height, every centimeter demanded more strength, more willpower, more resolve, more courage…
Yamiru and Mr. Popo both sensed the climber's despair seeping from their fading ki.
"I wonder… what did Korin see when he watched me climb back then?"
Had he been this desperate?
Had he wavered? Felt fear? Regret?
Yamiru had no idea if Korin, standing where he stood now, had ever considered flying down to save a struggling climber—or at least helping them descend safely.
"Or maybe, when I was half-dead on that tower, Korin was just lazily licking his paws…"
Yamiru stepped onto the railing as if to jump down and help—but instead, he flipped over it, standing horizontally on the outer edge, gazing downward.
A few minutes later…
In their senses, that faint ki shuddered weakly—then plummeted.
The climber's scream as they fell didn't even reach the top.
Even with his Golden Veil at full power, Yamiru couldn't make out their face—whether they were human, animal-person, or monster…
"Mr. Popo thought the Guardian was going to save them," Mr. Popo remarked from behind the railing.
Yamiru hovered in the air outside the tower, murmuring as if to himself, "If I saved them this time… how many more unprepared people would come, lacking both strength and resolve?"
Back when he had nearly fallen to his death, no Guardian had swooped in to save him. And he had never expected Korin to be kind enough to intervene.
Korin Tower was a trial of cruelty—not a reward for the brave.
Only those who climbed with the determination to succeed or die deserved to reach the top.
"Blindly pitying unworthy challengers will only distort Korin Tower's image in people's minds… and get more unnecessary casualties."
Mr. Popo nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Yamiru's reasoning.
"Mr. Popo," Yamiru floated in place, turning to gaze at the horizon ablaze with twilight. "If I were to leave Earth for a while… could I appoint a temporary Guardian?"
Mr. Popo blinked in confusion—a rare display of emotion on his pitch-black face.
Yamiru smirked. White flames erupted around him as he waved goodbye.
Then—BANG!
A shockwave of wind blasted through the Korin Tower as Yamiru vanished in a streak of white light, shooting straight toward the edge of the sky.
"Ah… he's going to…" Mr. Popo murmured, recognizing Yamiru's destination.
---
In the blink of an eye, Yamiru arrived at Mount Five Elements.
Compared to his last visit over two years ago, the demonic miasma had thinned considerably. Piercing through the dark clouds, he quickly located Annin's familiar ki.
What was once a barren valley housing only the massive Furnace of Eight Divisions now had a palace standing beside it—crude but unmistakably resembling the future abode of the Supreme Elderly Lord.
"Yamiru, you're here?"
A gigantic head rose from behind the palace—Annin in her giant form, carefully splitting a boulder the size of a house. Spotting Yamiru, she brightened.
So that's how she built so fast… Yamiru chuckled. "Annin, long time no see."
Shrinking back to normal size, Annin stepped out from behind the palace and waved. Yamiru landed before her.
"Not that long," Annin smiled. "Time feels slower now… yet also faster."
Yamiru nodded in understanding.
They chatted briefly, but there wasn't much to discuss—one had been holed up in Mount Five Elements tending the furnace and building, while the other had been secluded in Korin Tower, practically in meditation…
"Staying here for over two years must've been dull," Yamiru suddenly said. "Want to go out for a bit?"
Annin shook her head apologetically. "I can't leave."
"As the Supreme Elderly Lord, no," Yamiru grinned. "But as the Guardian? Different story."
Annin stared at him, stunned.
"My temple isn't built yet, and you're clearly great at construction," Yamiru said solemnly. "Perfect timing—I need to leave Earth briefly. Appointing an acting Guardian seems reasonable."
Annin laughed. "Where are you going?"
"The Other World. To find someone." Yamiru paused. "Oh, the same person who telepathically notified you about your divine authority two years ago."
Annin thought for a moment. "…King Kai?"
"Yep." Yamiru floated up, ready to depart, then turned back with mock seriousness. "No need to rush the temple. Precision matters…" He smirked. "For now, your task is—one brick. Just one, floating above Korin Tower. Make it perfect."
This project needs to drag on for millennia. Otherwise, he'd have no excuse to avoid moving to the Celestial Realm…
Under Annin's bewildered gaze, Yamiru vanished into thin air.
The Supreme Elderly Lord smiled to herself, strolling through her near-complete palace before picking up a single brick. She could feel Yamiru's "divine decree" granting her temporary Guardian duties.
Bathed in dawn's light, she flew leisurely toward Korin Tower.