Summary
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It’s not uncommon for powerful hunters inSolo Levelingto receive a moniker or an epithet that reflects their strength and abilities. Cha Hae-In, the Vice Master of the Hunters Guild and the ninth S-rank hunter in South Korea, is no exception, as many hunters from her guild know about her nickname, “The Dancer.” Should an ordinary person hear about Cha’s nickname, especially if they know nothing about her, they will probably think dancing is one of her hobbies.
Cha Hae-In is not the only character inSolo Levelingwith an amusing nickname. Chairman Go Gun-Hee is known as the “S-Rank Among S-Ranks,” while Choi Jong-In is widely popular for his epithet, “The Ultimate Soldier.” Before Sung Jin-Woo obtained his S-Rank hunter license, he also had an embarrassing title as “The Weakest Hunter of All Mankind.”
Why Is Cha Hae-In Called the Dancer?
Cha Hae-In’s Embarrassing Title
InSolo Levelingepisode 22, “We Need a Hero,”some of the Japanese S-rank huntersare sparring with Cha Hae-In, Baek Yoon-Ho, Ma Dongwook, and Lim Tae-Gyu. While Yoon-Ho, Dongwook, and Tae-Gyu are busy fighting in the corner, Cha Hae-In is facing Kanae Tawata, who knows about her opponent’s unusual nickname. Upon seeing Hunter Cha’s dance-like footwork, it becomes clear to her why her opponent is known as “The Dancer.”
While mostanime characters with unique nicknameslove everything about their title, Cha Hae-In is unhappy about hers. She even bans her guildmates from using it because she finds it incredibly embarrassing to hear. If given a chance, she would much rather have a different title under her name. Imagine how cool it would be if Cha Hae-In had the epithet The Ultimate Soldier, rather than Choi Jong-In—she would probably have been the happiest.
Cha Hae-In, The Dancer
Like other S-rank hunters with epithets, Cha Hae-In’s title, The Dancer, reflects her skills and abilities. Because Hunter Cha can swiftly cut down magical beasts one after another as if she were dancing, people began calling her the dancer. Her smooth, precise, and fluid movements, particularly her graceful swordsmanship, are a huge contrast to hunters who rely on brute force or power. She’s like a breath of fresh air, making her battles within the dungeon resemble a choreographed performance. To an ordinary hunter, they may not just see Hunter Cha as ahighly skilled female hunterbut also as a dancer in motion.
It would not be surprising if Hunter Cha was actually good at dancing, as her skills and abilities are a huge testament to her potential. Though she was a former track athlete, she could easily pass as a dance club memberif the Gates had never appeared, and she had not awakened her magic abilities. However, Hunter Cha also has the tendency to act recklessly in front of opponents stronger than her, despite knowing the gap in their strength. This reckless behavior can put her in serious trouble—but it’s fortunate that Jin-Woo always has her back.
Cha Hae-In’s Abilities, Explained
As thesecond-in-command of the Hunters Guildand an S-Rank hunter herself, Cha Hae-In is easily one of the strongest hunters in South Korea. Even Sung Jin-Woo recognizes her skills and abilities, not to mention the Ant King from the Jeju Island Arc, who first attacked Hunter Cha in the belief that she was the strongest among her peers.
“You think I’m going to fall for the same trick twice?"—Cha Hae-In to Beru
As the plot unfolds, Cha Hae-In wields a sword to fight magical beasts and other enemies. It doesn’t matter what weapon or sword Hunter Cha uses in battle because it doesn’t affect her mastery of the sword. Some of the techniques she uses in battle include the following:
Testaments to Cha Hae-In’s Strength
Many hunters inSolo Levelingare impressed by Cha Hae-In’s strength. Baek Yoon-Ho, theMaster of the White Tiger Guild, even thinks that hunter Cha slaughtered twice as many ants as he did after Min Byung-Gu cast a buff spell on them during the Jeju Island raid. Meanwhile, Atsushi Kumamoto, one of Japan’s S-rank hunters, also receives a taste of Hae-In’s power. By instinct, Hae-In punches Kumamoto 14 times in the blink of an eye, as if her arm resembles a Gatling gun, during the sparring session between Japan and South Korea’s S-rank hunters.
“I still have a fight left in me."—Cha Hae-In to Sung Jin-Woo
In the early events ofSolo Leveling, Sung Jin-Woo also mentions how Hunter Cha’s presence reminds him of Chairman Go Gun-Hee when he sees her up close for the first time. Choi Jong-In also holds deep respect for Cha Hae-In’s strength, thinking that she has already surpassed him. At this point, underestimating Hunter Cha would be a grave mistake for anyone unfamiliar with her exceptional swordsmanship, immense speed, striking power, and unorthodox fighting style.
