Chapter 45: The Challenge for Earth's Hunters
With the arrival of the S⁵-Rank gates, Earth was once again thrust into a period of great uncertainty. However, the immense power of the second clones of Sung Jin-Woo and Sung Su-Ho made it clear that the situation was under control. If the second clones were deployed to handle the highest-level gates, the threat would be neutralized in a matter of seconds, their power far exceeding any challenge posed by the S⁵-Rank monsters.
But there was a deeper purpose to this challenge—one that the second clones understood fully. This was not a battle for them to win, but a trial for the hunters of Earth, particularly the Sung Clan, to grow and develop their own strength.
As the Sung Clan had evolved, so too had Earth's hunters. While the second clones could easily eradicate the threat of the S⁵-Rank gates, they held back, allowing the original hunters to rise to the challenge. The monsters that emerged from the gates were powerful, but not insurmountable. It was a battle that would test the strength, resilience, and unity of Earth's greatest warriors.
The Sung Clan—now all of whom were at the S⁷-Rank level—stepped forward, their power more than enough to handle the initial onslaught of the monsters. Yet even they knew this was a time for growth, not simply victory. Each member of the Sung Clan had a role to play in guiding the next generation of hunters, and the challenge of the S⁵-Rank gates was an opportunity to further push their limits.
Through fierce battles and countless victories, the Sung Clan began to understand the importance of this trial. While their own power was unmatched, they recognized the significance of allowing Earth's hunters to become stronger, to unite, and to carry the weight of protecting their world.
The original hunters, those who had once fought to survive against dungeons and monsters, now had the chance to grow beyond their previous limitations. They would need to learn from the Sung Clan and each other, facing the S⁵-Rank gates together. It was a time for them to forge their own paths, honing their abilities in ways that the second clones could never teach them. The lessons learned in battle would be as valuable as any training or power bestowed by the Divine Triad.
The Sung Clan, as the backbone of Earth's defense, stood at the forefront, not only as protectors but as mentors and symbols of strength. Through their guidance, Earth's hunters would rise to new heights, becoming more powerful and capable of facing the unknown threats of the future.
And so, while the second clones could have ended the crisis in moments, they chose to allow Earth's hunters to face it in their own way, for it was through these trials that Earth's true strength would emerge.