Solo Leveling: The Terrifying Truth Behind S-Rank Gates’ Deadly Challenges

Summary

S-rank Gates are notorious for their deadly threats and have a tragic history of wiping out hunters and civilians.
Magic beasts in S-rank Gates are overpowered, leading to high casualties and unsuccessful raid attempts.
S-rank dungeon bosses are almost invincible, capable of single-handedly killing hundreds of top hunters and posing immense challenges.

From the moment the enigmatic Gates appeared in the Solo Leveling universe, I’ve found myself drawn into a continuous battle between hunters with extraordinary abilities and the monstrous forces threatening our world. It’s a never-ending war, and these gates bring their own set of unique challenges that demand careful consideration from guild leaders when assigning the right rank of hunter for each mission. A wrong move could spell disaster!

Even though each dungeon varies significantly in character, their danger levels may be approximated based on their assigned ranks. Generally, gates labeled B, C, D, or E pose less risk. However, A-rank dungeons can prove challenging, while S-rank ones are truly formidable foes. What makes them so treacherous? Delving into their past and understanding their unpredictable traits may provide an informed assumption.

The Notorious History of S-rank Gates

S-rank Gates Have Always Been Notoriously Dangerous

S-class Gates are lethal, thankfully they seldom appear. The initial dungeon of such grade emerged several years prior to the narrative unfolding, resulting in one of humanity’s most sorrowful episodes. This catastrophe claimed more than a million lives alongside top S-rank hunters who valiantly battled the dungeon’s boss, Kamish, until their final moments.

In Webtoon chapter 115, it’s Kamish the Dragon, famously known as the unquenchable fireball, who took down numerous elite hunters all by himself, according to Adam White.

It wasn’t until five courageous high-ranked individuals (who eventually earned the title of National Hunters) joined forces that they were able to subdue the ominous red dragon, bringing the chaos under control. However, years later, another high-rank gate appeared on Jeju Island, leading to it being deemed unsafe for human habitation. Regardless of the Korean government’s tireless efforts, it took a long time before the region could be reclaimed and it continued to serve as a nesting site for magical creatures that continually evolved.

Despite the island ultimately being liberated from the Denizens of Chaos, a tragic loss of lives among civilians and hunters was already incurred before that point. One reason these S-rank Gates are infamously difficult to conquer contrasting regular low-ranked dungeons is that some high-ranked dungeons require teamwork instead of solo efforts from even the strongest individual hunter.

The Unpredictable Nature of S-rank Gate Magic Beasts

Every Monster in an S-rank Gate Is Comparatively Overpowered

One frequently underestimated yet challenging aspect of conquering an S-rank Gate involves battling the myriad magical beasts residing within them. Unlike less formidable dungeons, the creatures found in these Gates are significantly stronger and can potentially overpower a skilled hunter on their own. These inhabitants of turmoil harness their power not only through sheer numbers but also through innate abilities that often leave seasoned hunters astounded.

Failing to secure these gates often results in a breach of the dungeon, allowing fierce monsters to approach unprotected civilians who suffer heavy losses as a result. The high number of casualties from these gates isn’t simply by chance but rather an almost inevitable outcome due to the immense challenge involved in controlling and eliminating such dungeons.

During the Japan Crisis, when a high-level Gate appeared over Tokyo, the local administration made every effort to control it, just like other nations that had similarly failed to prevent such disasters. However, despite the best efforts of Japan’s top S-rankers, including Yuri Orloff who was hired to use barrier magic to prevent a dungeon rupture, all their attempts ultimately proved futile.

I stood by, witnessing the colossal beings dwelling within the dungeon, possessing such immense power that they could effortlessly fell an individual of Orloff’s stature with a solitary blow. Even the esteemed Japanese S-rankers found themselves ineffectual against these formidable foes, feeling utterly powerless. The narrative was no different on Jeju Island, as each assault ended dismally, claiming some of the island’s most gifted hunters and leaving them returning home with a sense of impotence and astonishment.

As someone deeply immersed in this world of dungeoneering, I must say it’s quite remarkable how every assembled raid team for those top-tier S-rank Gates has yet to make it to the boss lair! Now, don’t get me wrong, even low-level dungeon bosses can give hunters a run for their money. But when it comes to the S-rank Gates, just getting past the horde of magical beasts guarding the entrance feels like an insurmountable challenge.

The Almost Invincible Dungeon Bosses

S-rank Dungeon Bosses Can Single-Handedly Kill Hundreds of Top Hunters

To conquer any dungeon, the hunters must vanquish the formidable boss, who usually possesses immense power. In an A-rank Gate, these powerful beings can wield such intimidating abilities that a full squad of A-rank hunters may find it challenging to withstand them. However, the bosses in S-rank Gates are on a completely different scale. They are endowed with terrifying powers that sometimes a whole nation’s S-rank hunters might not be enough to even offer resistance against them.

When the premier S-rank dungeon boss, Kamish, arrived in the human world, he effortlessly took out approximately a hundred elite hunters from all corners of the globe. Had it not been for the intervention of five top-tier national hunters, there’s little doubt that he could have continued his rampage, potentially bringing about the destruction of the entire country before ultimately being defeated.

On Jeju Island, King Ant of the Draw Sword Guild brutally attacked and eliminated most of its members before they even grasped the situation. Japan’s renowned hunter, Goto Ryuji, could not deliver a single strike before he was beheaded. The Korean hunters would have suffered the same fate if it weren’t for Sung Jinwoo stepping in at the crucial moment.

Are there others? Others you call king? ~ Ant King (Webtoon chapter 101)

Overcoming any dungeon is quite an accomplishment since many of them house formidable bosses who can inflict grievous harm. However, progressing through an S-rank Gate’s challenges is no small feat for most hunters – many do not make it that far. Even if they miraculously survive the battle against the dungeon boss and engage it, their odds of victory are extremely slim. This is why conquering an S-rank Gate stands as a remarkable achievement, one that only a select few hunters can boast about having accomplished.

2025-03-22 20:37