Summary
- Choi Jong-In is a mage-type hunter with exceptional fire manipulation and extraordinary mana reserves.
- Cha Hae-In is a fighter-class hunter known for skilled swordsmanship and close-quarters combat expertise.
- Choosing between them depends on circumstances; Hae-In excels in melee battles, while Jong-In is better in long-range combat.
Hunters in the Solo Leveling universe are expected to keep civilians safe from menacing monsters living in the mysterious Gates that regularly spawn across the world. Unfortunately, not all of them are created equal, as some possess more powers than others. Like in the rest of the world, Korea also has a hierarchy among hunters, with S-rankers being the best of the best.
Among the top 10 S-rankers, Choi Jong-In and Cha Hae-In are regarded as two of Korea’s most formidable hunters, who coincidentally lead the Hunters Guild together. Looking at them, one might be tempted to question who is the better hunter among the two. Based on their combat knowledge, skills, and leadership qualities, here’s what sets them apart.
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Choi Jong-In: The Master of Flames
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
- Webnovel Debut: Chapter 66
- Class: Mage
Choi Jong-In is an experienced S-rank hunter who leads the Hunters Guild. He is categorized as a mage-type hunter with exceptional fighting skills, capable of taking on a horde of A-rank monsters all alone. What separates Jong-In from most hunters is his extraordinary mana reserves, which are extremely rare even in the most powerful fighters. Banking on his immense mana pool, he can fight for long durations while keeping his intensity high. His exceptional control over mana also enables the evolution of his combat techniques, making his attacks even more potent.
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Choi is arguably the strongest mage-type hunter in Korea and is known for his fire magic mastery. His spells are so strong that they are capable of burning down the toughest magic-resistant monsters and reducing even tall buildings to ashes. Gifted with the ability to control his fire with pinpoint accuracy, Jong-In is able to pull off some extraordinary tricks.
While there are many techniques that Choi has developed using fire magic and a large mana pool, the one that truly stands out is called Flame Prison. As the name suggests, it allows him to restrain his enemies in a blazing web of fire that is almost impossible to get out of for most beasts.
During the Jeju Island raid, when Korean hunters find the queen ant’s chamber, Jong-In manipulates fire to create a dragon while fighting the evolved ants there. This spell is known as Flame Dragon and is a dangerous move that channels his mana into a roaring beast capable of burning down everything in its path. Choi Jong-In is also gifted with exceptional endurance and speed that can put most hunters to shame.
The Ultimate Hunter Is Not Just a Good Fighter
Choi Jong-In’s incredible fighting prowess puts him in an extraordinary league that separates him from most hunters. But being a hunter is not always about fighting. There are also other roles that hunters play in society that are sometimes even more meaningful and important, leadership being one of them.
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As the guild master of the Hunters Guild, Choi has demonstrated on countless occasions that he is an extraordinary leader. Although he is not as strong as other international S-rankers, his leadership quality makes him an asset to Korea. The Hunters Guild, as the strongest Korean guild, demands a leader who can wield incredible power but also effectively coordinate top-tier hunters, something Jong-In has done for a while.
Choi Jong-In’s Weakness
Choi Jong-In’s fire magic is quite effective against a large group of enemies, as his long-range attacks can keep them at bay. But that’s exactly what becomes his weakness when his rivals are able to close the distance and engage him in close-quarters combat.
Cha Hae-In: The Dancer
Vice Guild Master of the Hunters Guild
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
- Webnovel Debut: Chapter 81
- Class: Fighter
Cha Hae-In once used to be a well-known track athlete but went on to become Korea’s 9th S-rank hunter. Sometimes called “the dancer” by her comrades, she displays extraordinary athleticism and grace in battles that are almost impossible to replicate. Hae-In, being a fighter-class hunter, is extremely dangerous, and her overall combat technique perfectly balances defense and offense.
How I could ever tell him, I want you by my side until I draw my last breath?
Cha’s skilled swordsmanship is on par with some of the best international hunters. Her aura-enhanced sword strikes are powerful enough to kill high-class monsters with relative ease. When she is pushed to her limits, Hae-In uses Sword Dance or Sword of Light techniques, which take advantage of her swordsmanship to the fullest, unleashing an extraordinary barrage of attacks that can overwhelm most rivals.
Cha Hae-In’s mana sensitivity is also quite high, as she is able to detect threats before anyone else. Her endurance, coupled with her immense strength, makes her a formidable combatant, arguably the best in Korea before Sung Jinwoo’s second awakening.
Cha Hae-In’s Weaknesses
When it comes to long-range combat, Cha Hae-In’s effectiveness goes down dramatically. Most of her techniques are adapted for close-quarters combat, which are sometimes even useless if the enemy is not in range.
Verdict: Who Is the Better Hunter?
Both Hunters Excel in Different Circumstances
When it comes to choosing one between Cha Hae-In and Choi Jong-In, it eventually depends on the circumstances. Both of them have decent experience and are regarded as top hunters in Korea. Cha Hae-In, being a specialist in melee combat, excels in battles where the enemies are able to close the distance and hunters are expected to take them head-on. She is also somewhat stronger than Choi and is capable of taking on stronger monsters all by herself.
The last time I played with ants was when I was a little boy. I remember hearing faint snapping noises every time I torched an ant with a lighter…Now, I hear fireworks.
That being said, Jong-In is no pushover. His fire magic is a force to be reckoned with, especially in large-scale battles where the hunters are faced with hordes of monsters. Choi has shown that he can single-handedly burn even high-rank beasts to cinders if he pushes himself to the limit. Furthermore, a hunter’s value cannot be limited to their combat ability. While Cha Hae-In is somewhat stronger than Choi, her leadership experience is limited. On the other hand, Jong-In is a cunning strategist who excels at making quick tactical decisions and coordinating highly skilled hunters.
As mentioned earlier, picking one between the two comes down to the circumstances. In a dungeon that demands melee fighting, where swordsmanship can excel, Cha Hae-In is the hunter to go for. But if a battle requires long-range combat with a horde of monsters where strategic thinking is required, Choi Jong-In will be a better choice. Since both of them are unique individuals who bring somewhat incomparable skills to the battlefield, which makes it is hard to determine a clear superior. Therefore, it would be unjust to place one over the other.
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