Gaining 9800 karma by level 40 is quite easy actually.. By level 42 I had over 50k karma. The Christmas event alone gives you 2-5k karma a day if you complete the jumping puzzle. Not to mention completing maps usually gives Karma jugs, as well as completing boss fights/events. If you do everything in the game, it’s super easy to get.
I would also recommend not bothering with any Karma until the later gear, as you can’t sell it and you’ll outgrow it super fast.