Witnessing S-Rank Power
The ranks of hunters and monsters have different benchmarks.
At low ranks, hunters are stronger than monsters, but as ranks climb higher, monsters pull ahead of hunters.
By A or B-rank, it's often a tie—or the monsters have the edge.
And at S-rank, monsters are undoubtedly stronger than hunters.
The benchmark for an S-rank hunter is whether they can hold their own against an S-rank monster—not win, but endure.
That's the divide. Even among the same S-rank, the gap between monsters and hunters is vast.
But it's all case by case, never absolute.
Depending on the hunter or the monster, this rule can bend or break entirely.
Take Seong Jae-myeong, who soloed an SS-rank monster, or America's Garcia—prime examples.
Those two stood apart from other hunters in every way.
Even so, no S-rank hunter is guaranteed victory over an S-rank monster.
They can just survive long enough. In real fights, they rely on other hunters to bring it down.
Hunters aren't lone wolves; they hunt in teams with comrades.
But the scene unfolding before them was different.
"Y-You're...?"
"Cha Won-taek, leader of the 3rd Raid Team from Guild Seongho. But what's going on here?"
"Seongho? One of the top five guilds! And the 3rd raid leader...!"
"H-He's definitely S-rank!"
"W-We made it! We're saved!"
The surviving hunters lit up with hope at the arrival of an S-rank hunter.
Cha Won-taek glanced their way with a light chuckle, then shifted his gaze.
To the Death Knight that had been glaring at him warily since his arrival.
"Death Knight... an S-rank monster."
He murmured softly, scanning the battered survivors.
"You fought an S-rank monster with this pathetic lineup? Were you on a suicide mission?"
"...It wasn't S-rank at first. It evolved mid-fight after tearing through hunters. We're Association hunters dispatched to take down the floor boss."
"I see... interesting."
Cha Won-taek muttered with a low hum, eyeing the Death Knight again.
Its crimson eyes blazed, poised to lunge at any moment.
"What was it before evolving? Dark Knight? Spectral Knight? Dullahan?"
"Dullahan. It recovered with Drain Touch."
"Hm... got it. Any other quirks?"
"Swordsmanship on another level. Seems to have some intelligence too."
"Knight-type undead are always sharp with blades."
Cha Won-taek nodded casually, drawing his sword with a subtle motion.
"No wonder it didn't charge first... fresh off evolution, low on experience."
He glanced back calmly.
His raid team was en route from the expedition, though not visible yet.
Once they arrived, cleanup would be straightforward.
They were fatigued from the mid-layers expedition, but against an inexperienced S-rank monster, Cha Won-taek wasn't one to falter.
"Hold out until my team gets here. Might even solo it since it's so green..."
He trailed off, turning to the A-rank hunter.
The man caught the implication instantly from that wordless look.
"We forfeit all claim on it. Do as you please."
"Good. They'll be here soon—just buy time till then. Can't offer extra rewards, though..."
"Understood. No need for backup?"
At the cautious question, Cha Won-taek grinned broadly.
"No problem."
With that bold declaration, he launched himself forward.
The clash between S-rank hunter and S-rank monster began.
Cha Won-taek pressed the Death Knight relentlessly.
Targeting its inexperience, he aimed for a swift decisive battle.
And it worked perfectly.
The Death Knight that had toyed with A-rank hunters now found roles reversed.
Before it could react, Cha Won-taek hammered it without mercy.
Yet he kept his distance, heeding the warning about Drain Touch.
"Green as they come. And..."
Dodging a swing, he countered lightly and spoke impassively.
"That half-baked intelligence cost you your undead edge."
What defined undead strength?
Many traits, but to Cha Won-taek, it was their boundless hatred and killing intent toward the living.
That pure malice drove them to reckless charges, ignoring their own bodies.
A flaw in others, but for pain-immune, damage-resistant undead, it was a prime asset.
Not this Death Knight.
Evolution birthed intelligence—a fatal flaw here.
Hatred lingered, but now it calculated losses.
Protect itself, maximize enemy damage.
Basic combat sense, but for this thing, ignorance was bliss.
With more experience, maybe different—but half-formed caution hobbled it now.
Even now.
A straight thrust might've wounded Cha Won-taek badly, but the Death Knight flinched and dodged his incoming blade.
Clang—clang—
As its armor rattled in retreat, Cha Won-taek smiled coolly.
"This'll wrap up quicker than expected."
He could see the finishing move.
Nodding to himself, he scanned around.
His team had arrived, methodically clearing the undead.
Plains zone veterans, they handled hordes effortlessly—undead no exception.
Some even watched his duel leisurely, guarding for surprises.
After a quick check, Cha Won-taek gripped his sword tighter.
He'd end it cleanly, no need for their help.
No time to let it gain experience.
Finish in one go.
With calm resolve, he swung.
His blade carved a massive crescent arc.
Watching an S-rank hunter versus S-rank monster was educational.
Too fast to track fully, but insights stuck.
What S-rank truly meant.
What I'd do against one as foe.
My answer: nothing.
Even with Thought Acceleration, same verdict.
At my level, instant wipe.
A-rank maybe—flee or endure—but S-rank? Dead on sight.
As the Death Knight fell, its death aura shrouding the undead vanished.
Weakened, they crumbled fast against the hunters who'd already toyed with them.
Undead don't flee from life, so cleanup was swift.
With the S-rank joining, it ended spotless.
I spun away.
Time to bolt.
A bit late, but I hurried.
Scouts were already fanning out.
The S-rank rested, but his fresh teammates patrolled casually—no fatigue for them.
A-ranks among them meant extra caution.
...Terrifying.
Stealth helped, but I skirted hunters wide.
One might pierce it among that crowd.
Not might—definitely would.
Expedition returnees from lower layers? Bound to have detection aces.
Encounter means obliteration.
Creep carefully.
Warp gates to 38th floor already scouted—no hunt needed.
I picked an outer one.
Clear of the hot zone, fewer patrols.
Still no slacking.
Monstrous hunters could pop anywhere—stay alert till the gate.
Made it safely.
No hesitation—I plunged into the 38th-floor warp gate.
The Death Knight sparked vague rivalry, but the S-rank hunter? Pure dread.
Because I'm the monster, and they're hunters.
Reinforces what I am.
Terror from S-rank hunter faded in relative safety, replaced by fresh fire.
Defiance? Pride?
Hated myself for just plotting escape, powerless.
Smart at my level, but humiliating.
Feel stronger? Reality check: still weak.
Labyrinth's vastness humbles.
No arrogance.
Grow stronger.
Truth: I'd downplayed S-ranks a bit.
First century post-labyrinths: few A-ranks, no S.
Now? Steady rise—SS and SA hunters abound.
Korea's decline post-Seong Jae-myeong aside, powerhouses like America teem with S-ranks.
Not tripping over them, but not nation-shakers either.
Neighbors China, Japan? Dozens each, they say.
So I underestimated: common, not elite.
But seeing one? Different league.
Underestimation gone—now wariness.
If I stay monster, we'll clash someday.
As enemies.
Could I win? Survive?
Anxiety stirs.