The Underrated Powerhouses: Ranking the Strongest C-Level Hunters in Solo Leveling!

Summary

Not all hunters in Solo Leveling are invincible; C-rankers like Yoon Kijoong, Goo Juntae, and Go Myung-Hwan are strong but underrated.
The C-rank hunters have unique abilities such as incredible defense and fire magic manipulation.
Characters like Cho Kyuhwan, Song Chi-Yul, and Hwang Dongsuk show distinct combat styles, moral values, and power dynamics within the series.

In the world of Solo Leveling, individuals from various backdrops and lifestyles have undergone an awakening in the past, granting them powers to combat magical beasts that dwell within enigmatic portals known as Gates. Based on their rank, these individuals can either join a guild or a raid team, enabling them to earn a living while utilizing their newly acquired abilities.

The show presents various elite hunters, seemingly unbeatable and wielding immense societal power. However, not every hunter shares this status. There are lower-ranked hunters too, who risk their lives frequently for financial gain, whether ethically or otherwise. C-rankers, in particular, hold a distinct role, as they’re stronger than E-rankers but weaker compared to B-rankers. A number of them show up in Solo Leveling, and these may be the most formidable among their ranks.

7. Yoon Kijoong

A Survivor of the Red Gate Disaster

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 50
Anime Debut: Left Out of the Anime Adaptation

Among the scarcely high-ranked hunters, Yoon Kijoong was one, who fortunately teamed up with Sung Jinwoo when Kim Chul opted to leave weaker hunters at the Red Gate. As a Tanker-class C-ranker, his chances of surviving the ordeal on his own would have been remarkably slim had he followed the lead hunter.

It’s reasonable to suppose that Kijoong’s skills primarily revolve around defense, given his class. Being part of the White Tiger Guild and possibly ranking as a C-rank hunter suggests he had notable strength.

6. Goo Juntae

C-Ranked Working for Hwang Dongsuk

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 19
Anime Debut: Episode 5

Goo Juntae, formerly a C-ranker, was known for his haughty demeanor and a shady past that included illegal activities within dungeons. His arrogance led him to disregard others, ultimately contributing to his tragic demise. In an attempt to bully Sung Jinwoo, Goo met an immediate and gruesome end at the hands of Jinwoo, who severed his head on the spot.

5. Go Myung-Hwan

White Tiger Guild’s C-Rank Hunter

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 50
Anime Debut: Episode 13

Go Myung-Hwan, a survivor from the Red Gate incident, is a C-rank hunter connected to Baek Yonhoo’s White Tiger Guild. When Kim Chul opted to abandon less capable hunters during the raid for his own survival, Myung-Hwan was among those forced to join Sung Jinwoo’s party. Due to Jinwoo’s generosity, he found the Gate relatively straightforward to navigate.

After completing his assignment, he received a call from Yoo Myung-Han, father of Yoo Jinho, to discuss the mission details. While specifics about his powers remain unclear, it seems plausible that Go was a competent C-rank operative, given that he served with one of South Korea’s top guilds.

4. Lee Chul-Jin

Hwang Dongsuk’s Raid Team Member

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 19
Anime Debut: Episode 5

Lee Chul-Jin was a partner in crime with Hwang Dongsuk and a person devoid of moral principles, leveraging his hunter abilities for selfish purposes. His illicit actions were uncovered when he and his group plotted to eliminate Jinwoo and Jinho during a dungeon expedition.

In a simpler phrase, we could say: Lee preferred using daggers, yet wasn’t particularly strong. During the assault on Hwang Dongsuk’s raiding party by Sung, it was effortless for him to slay Chul-Jin.

3. Cho Kyuhwan

Versatile Mage-Class Hunter

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 18
Anime Debut: Episode 5

Although he was only a C-rank mage, Cho Kyuhwan proved exceptionally skillful in handling and exploiting fire in battle. In the Dungeon and Lizards arc, his fiery assault against Jinwoo sent him tumbling multiple meters away with a potent blast of flames. The impact was so severe that Sung began to bleed from his head as a result.

Despite Jinwoo appearing distracted when Cho attacked him, his hunting skills were impressively proficient for someone at his level. Similarly, Kyuhwan had shown an exceptional talent in mastering precise fire control, hinting that he might be among the top fire magic users in his class.

2. Song Chi-Yul

Survivor of the Double Dungeon Incident

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 1
Anime Debut: Episode 1

Song Chi-Yul excels as a fire magic-wielding hunter with a knack for combating enemies. With extensive experience under his belt, he’s no stranger to venturing into lower-tier dungeons and even spearheading at least one mission. His unwavering commitment to duty and strong moral compass earn him the admiration of his fellow comrades.

I’d like to spend what I have left contributing to society.

In addition to being an expert swordsman, Song can hold his own against opponents who are significantly younger than him. This is evident when Chi-Yul displays his prowess during a mission that initially appears ordinary and secure, as Kang Taeshik embarks on a murderous spree. Remarkably, even though he’s only a C-ranker, Song shows no fear in risking his life to safeguard his teammates, which underscores the depth of his character. Although Song might not have accumulated great wealth or power during his hunter career, he left an indelible impact on those who worked with him.

1. Hwang Dongsuk

Hwang Dongsoo’s Brother

Webtoon Debut: Chapter 18
Anime Debut: Episode 5

Hwang Dongsuk, formerly a hunter, was known for his dishonest and risky nature, especially as a C-ranked hunter. Accompanying his squad, he often targeted less experienced hunters to enrich himself, disregarding the safety of others in pursuit of his profits. His ruthless acts included murder when necessary. During the Dungeon and Lizards arc, Dongsuk, together with his fellow crooked associates, attempted to leave Jinwoo and Jinho for dead, aiming to seize all the earnings from the raid. However, when Sung miraculously survived and demonstrated his hidden strength, Hwang found himself no match for him.

Contrary to expectations, given that he was a Tanker-class hunter, Dongsuk’s defense proved remarkably weak when faced by Jinwoo, who overcame him effortlessly. Considering he led a raid team of other C-rankers and seemed to have his teammates under his control, it seems reasonable to infer that Dongsuk was significantly stronger than his rank suggested.

2025-03-20 04:10