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Return of the S-Rank Hunter: A LitRPG Apocalypse Adventure
Once an S-Rank hunter, Kain is reborn at the start of the apocalypse... as an F-Rank.
With the System's arrival 100 years ago, Earth was transformed into a deadly progression realm. Countless wars were waged, millions of lives were lost, and chaos descended. By the time Kain was born, humanity had lost. The monsters had triumphed.
All Kain ever knew was the colony and his role as a hunter within it. Its histories, its goals, its sustenance. This was all that mattered. Until one day, on a mission far beyond the colony walls, searching for other humans, Kain died.
But death, it seems, was not the end.
Reborn at the exact moment of the Integration 100 years prior, before all the war and destruction, Kain is given a second chance. With a previously believed-to-be-extinct Dao and a mysterious title, he needs to figure out the secrets of the future.
With the return of an S-Rank Hunter, maybe humanity will have a chance this time.
With the System's arrival 100 years ago, Earth was transformed into a deadly progression realm. Countless wars were waged, millions of lives were lost, and chaos descended. By the time Kain was born, humanity had lost. The monsters had triumphed.
All Kain ever knew was the colony and his role as a hunter within it. Its histories, its goals, its sustenance. This was all that mattered. Until one day, on a mission far beyond the colony walls, searching for other humans, Kain died.
But death, it seems, was not the end.
Reborn at the exact moment of the Integration 100 years prior, before all the war and destruction, Kain is given a second chance. With a previously believed-to-be-extinct Dao and a mysterious title, he needs to figure out the secrets of the future.
With the return of an S-Rank Hunter, maybe humanity will have a chance this time.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 9, 2025
DNF: don’t think, do
There are a lot of ways an author can convey to the reader the reasoning behind a character’s actions. So for the mc to mansplain to himself, or state the obvious, it was painful. “I need to kill the monster before it kills me.” Well duh! Just go act and stop thinking about it while talking to yourself.
This was supposed to be an S class Hunter with honed skills and strategy but he was inept in battle. Let’s charge 2 ants, stop and let them orient on him while he identifies them, then stand there in contemplation while they maneuver him into a trap, and finally voice a comment then charge to the side as they make the first attack. Yet later the mc lectures us that hesitation means death and for the next action states his life experience gave him pause. Thus making the action in this book hard to read. Less talking and introspection and more initiative and attacks would be preferred.
I also needed more context. How did the mc know what continent sized was, what denim is, and how did he know about the world at large and not just his corner of it, etc… and why call the human settlement by the enemy insect’s ‘colony’ name? Simply frustrating.
There are a lot of ways an author can convey to the reader the reasoning behind a character’s actions. So for the mc to mansplain to himself, or state the obvious, it was painful. “I need to kill the monster before it kills me.” Well duh! Just go act and stop thinking about it while talking to yourself.
This was supposed to be an S class Hunter with honed skills and strategy but he was inept in battle. Let’s charge 2 ants, stop and let them orient on him while he identifies them, then stand there in contemplation while they maneuver him into a trap, and finally voice a comment then charge to the side as they make the first attack. Yet later the mc lectures us that hesitation means death and for the next action states his life experience gave him pause. Thus making the action in this book hard to read. Less talking and introspection and more initiative and attacks would be preferred.
I also needed more context. How did the mc know what continent sized was, what denim is, and how did he know about the world at large and not just his corner of it, etc… and why call the human settlement by the enemy insect’s ‘colony’ name? Simply frustrating.
July 14, 2025
Much too wordy, it slowed everything down and I gave up. Here’s an example of him winding up for a punch: “Lightning coalesced around his right fist as he closed the distance to the alpha Stalker, the electricity coalescing into a crackling gauntlet of pure energy that extended his striking range by several inches.” He hasn’t even done the punch yet! It gets very wearing. DNF 36%.
August 25, 2025
All checks made...
In the list of isekai and litrpg tropes. There were some interesting things in the book, but it was very formulaic for the most part.
In the list of isekai and litrpg tropes. There were some interesting things in the book, but it was very formulaic for the most part.
July 20, 2025
Grim
Not what I expected. Whole story in dungeon. I didn’t really like the MC. Won’t be continuing. Gave a 3 because it might be someone else’s vibe.
Not what I expected. Whole story in dungeon. I didn’t really like the MC. Won’t be continuing. Gave a 3 because it might be someone else’s vibe.
September 2, 2025
Overall plot was mediocre. Not a whole lot of originality. The whole book needs an editor. A lot of descriptions and phrases that are over used. The repetitive use of phrases like "tactical precision" or continually describing the fact "leadership either didn't know certain facts or intentionally left him in the dark" seems to be for word count. The author should've chosen to spend more time on world building and story telling instead of easy tropes or resolving issues because magic.
The author attempts to write the MC as this intelligent and experienced hunter/leader yet his actions and choices rarely support this. The MC comes across as someone who does indeed know things because of his experiences but isnt actually intelligent. When it comes time to adapt because his mental model doesnt match real life... he's extremely slow on the uptake and the blatantly obvious path presented by the writer leaves the MC debating with himself that somehow bringing a knife to a gun fight does make sense until finally his slow mental processes decides on the blindingly good/OP option like "I want to be someone new this life so lets take the 3rd option that has nothing to do with who I was in the last one."
The author attempts to write the MC as this intelligent and experienced hunter/leader yet his actions and choices rarely support this. The MC comes across as someone who does indeed know things because of his experiences but isnt actually intelligent. When it comes time to adapt because his mental model doesnt match real life... he's extremely slow on the uptake and the blatantly obvious path presented by the writer leaves the MC debating with himself that somehow bringing a knife to a gun fight does make sense until finally his slow mental processes decides on the blindingly good/OP option like "I want to be someone new this life so lets take the 3rd option that has nothing to do with who I was in the last one."
July 14, 2025
levels?
I will die on this hill, what is the point in having levels with no meaning behind them?
Gain 2 levels, yes okay great but what does that signify? What is the actual different between a level 10 and a level 1?
I’m not asking for a specific breakdown like what other LITrps do but at least give the levels substance or meaning.
I think I read about 25 pages then dropped it.
I will die on this hill, what is the point in having levels with no meaning behind them?
Gain 2 levels, yes okay great but what does that signify? What is the actual different between a level 10 and a level 1?
I’m not asking for a specific breakdown like what other LITrps do but at least give the levels substance or meaning.
I think I read about 25 pages then dropped it.
September 15, 2025
Great until strategy no longer mattered - Spoilers
Premise was well thought. MC's evolution was interesting while flashing between his past and future.
What irritated the p1$$ out of me was how the MC is touted as this outstanding leader, then F's it up right before the last boss.
Spoiler alert!
If you're such an awesome leader with all this foreknowledge, why the F didn't you prioritize building your new team up to a level closer to you?! There were resources that could have been consumed, sap in your newly conquered area, fruit to be traded for with the koalas, and fruit to be taken from the bears. Could have run them through the bears and beaten the Alpha to build team cohesion and level them up.
The team even brought up specifically that they just lost a team member to the Alpha, but nope! We got this because I'm a big bad baddy that's 13 levels higher! I can do all the work that would prevent you from leveling up. No problem.
Where did all the tactical and strategic thought processes go? Were they sped up too quickly to properly comprehend that if you brought your team up to their maximum gain, they would bolster the team overall? Would it have diminished your glory too much instead of highlighting your leadership capabilities? Which was brought up constantly through flashbacks.
Now the team is at a measly level 11/12, though at E rank. When they could have been much higher with a better understanding of their Daos. This would have put humanity in a better position for superiority or at least to make a better showing at the trials. But nope, you got this. No other human can do what you can do or even support you as you support yourself. Lone MC against the system because, in reality, no one can do better than you.
Premise was well thought. MC's evolution was interesting while flashing between his past and future.
What irritated the p1$$ out of me was how the MC is touted as this outstanding leader, then F's it up right before the last boss.
Spoiler alert!
If you're such an awesome leader with all this foreknowledge, why the F didn't you prioritize building your new team up to a level closer to you?! There were resources that could have been consumed, sap in your newly conquered area, fruit to be traded for with the koalas, and fruit to be taken from the bears. Could have run them through the bears and beaten the Alpha to build team cohesion and level them up.
The team even brought up specifically that they just lost a team member to the Alpha, but nope! We got this because I'm a big bad baddy that's 13 levels higher! I can do all the work that would prevent you from leveling up. No problem.
Where did all the tactical and strategic thought processes go? Were they sped up too quickly to properly comprehend that if you brought your team up to their maximum gain, they would bolster the team overall? Would it have diminished your glory too much instead of highlighting your leadership capabilities? Which was brought up constantly through flashbacks.
Now the team is at a measly level 11/12, though at E rank. When they could have been much higher with a better understanding of their Daos. This would have put humanity in a better position for superiority or at least to make a better showing at the trials. But nope, you got this. No other human can do what you can do or even support you as you support yourself. Lone MC against the system because, in reality, no one can do better than you.
February 21, 2026
The main plot is not really original but has the twist that the truth that he knew may have been fiction.
Sadly, the book is flawed by the lack of a good lector, who would trim the excess of wordiness and the constant really aggravating repetitions. Another flaw is the protagonist himself.
For a supposed elite hunter, the MC talks way too much and keeps acting like a noob in fights by getting constantly distracted.
Criticism and comments
The constant repetitions are super annoying.!
The days seem super short - they hardly do anything during a single day!
How can he know the anatomy of an animal that went extinct before he was born?
Leveling up by eating seems excessive.
No normal person refers to a person he/she met as "they ".
The use of the term group is strange for merely two persons.
How did the koala get perfect anatomical knowledge of humans if it never fought one before?
The sophistication and specialisation of the koalas in such a short time is preposterous.
The ants adaptation rate is ridiculous, especially considering that he didn't leave survivors..
Sadly, the book is flawed by the lack of a good lector, who would trim the excess of wordiness and the constant really aggravating repetitions. Another flaw is the protagonist himself.
For a supposed elite hunter, the MC talks way too much and keeps acting like a noob in fights by getting constantly distracted.
Criticism and comments
The constant repetitions are super annoying.!
The days seem super short - they hardly do anything during a single day!
How can he know the anatomy of an animal that went extinct before he was born?
Leveling up by eating seems excessive.
No normal person refers to a person he/she met as "they ".
The use of the term group is strange for merely two persons.
How did the koala get perfect anatomical knowledge of humans if it never fought one before?
The sophistication and specialisation of the koalas in such a short time is preposterous.
The ants adaptation rate is ridiculous, especially considering that he didn't leave survivors..
July 21, 2025
Surprisingly good!
From the start of the book and the blurb I was expecting a bog standard isekai. You know, edge Lord protagonist who is cocky and rude and uses people. It started like it would be that way, but it quickly became more complex and actually gave the secondary character a chance to have a personality and a background and goals. The plot is winding in a way that I didn't expect, while the climactic battle is sort of predictable, the world building is really interesting and I really enjoyed this one. I'll definitely be the next!
From the start of the book and the blurb I was expecting a bog standard isekai. You know, edge Lord protagonist who is cocky and rude and uses people. It started like it would be that way, but it quickly became more complex and actually gave the secondary character a chance to have a personality and a background and goals. The plot is winding in a way that I didn't expect, while the climactic battle is sort of predictable, the world building is really interesting and I really enjoyed this one. I'll definitely be the next!
August 13, 2025
just terrible
The protagonist is a pinnacle S-rank, and in the first few pages is described using a 300 pound draw weight bow. Thats only double an english longbow. And that is S-rank? The author has no sense of scale and power.
20 pages later, after a rebirth, the MC obtains a new skill at level one. Then, after his next fight, gaining two levels, that same skill evolves. And it evolves from a movement skill into a single target damage skill.
Such rapid mixed type skill evolution is nonsensical amateurish writing.
I couldn’t bring myself to read anymore.
The protagonist is a pinnacle S-rank, and in the first few pages is described using a 300 pound draw weight bow. Thats only double an english longbow. And that is S-rank? The author has no sense of scale and power.
20 pages later, after a rebirth, the MC obtains a new skill at level one. Then, after his next fight, gaining two levels, that same skill evolves. And it evolves from a movement skill into a single target damage skill.
Such rapid mixed type skill evolution is nonsensical amateurish writing.
I couldn’t bring myself to read anymore.
November 14, 2025
I liked the concept, but couldn’t finish. The MC talks about getting stronger and adapting, but doesn’t take any time to actually progressively grow.
Especially when he meets up with a much weaker group, he says “let’s just go have a look at the dungeon boss. We won’t actually do anything, just look around…” and then they end up in a boss encounter. Why wouldn’t he take out the rest of the mini bosses first to at least get to know the new people??
I had to stop at that point. I almost finished the first book …
Especially when he meets up with a much weaker group, he says “let’s just go have a look at the dungeon boss. We won’t actually do anything, just look around…” and then they end up in a boss encounter. Why wouldn’t he take out the rest of the mini bosses first to at least get to know the new people??
I had to stop at that point. I almost finished the first book …
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2026
Kain was born under the System. As Monsters and other things invaded Earth he used the system to gain strength and become part of a super team. But as his team dies so does all his training and knowledge. But something has happened and her is now reborn earlier in time. His future knowledge does not help him much. But his knowledge on how the System works is huge and he is going to use it to become even stronger the second time-round.
This one has a ton of action and its good book. Fun for everyone.
This one has a ton of action and its good book. Fun for everyone.
December 19, 2025
Return of the S-Rank Hunter, book one of A LitRPG Apocalypse Adventure series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). The story starts with our hero's death, only to find he is reborn into the past, 100 years when the problems that faced the future had started. Armed with his memories and knowledge of the future, Kain quickly progresses so he can impact the events that lead to his first live's destruction. Very intense action and great characters.
July 6, 2025
Litrpg regression story
Good take on hero fromquestionable future coming back in time to try to fix things. Female character does not instantly become his servant or herem. Does not have magical storage.. seemed to rush out of dungeon without gaining other advantages extra energy fruit and alpha cores but good energy.
Good take on hero fromquestionable future coming back in time to try to fix things. Female character does not instantly become his servant or herem. Does not have magical storage.. seemed to rush out of dungeon without gaining other advantages extra energy fruit and alpha cores but good energy.
August 24, 2025
***DNF***
Take this review with a grain of salt. It might be that I just wasn’t in the right mood for this book.
It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. That’s the problem. With soooo many new LitRPG stories popping up why waste time on a “meh” story. I read this a week ago and already can’t remember anything about it. Not a good sign.
Take this review with a grain of salt. It might be that I just wasn’t in the right mood for this book.
It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. That’s the problem. With soooo many new LitRPG stories popping up why waste time on a “meh” story. I read this a week ago and already can’t remember anything about it. Not a good sign.
Read
October 13, 2025Primal hunter meets road to mastery
This book really did seem like a cool blend of primal hunter and road to mastery. Pretty good read although i think they rushed the dungeon at the end. Would have been better to farm it for a bit of time. I hope the koalas come back...
This book really did seem like a cool blend of primal hunter and road to mastery. Pretty good read although i think they rushed the dungeon at the end. Would have been better to farm it for a bit of time. I hope the koalas come back...
October 30, 2025
Not for me: DNF at 58%
Just want enjoying very much. Biggest issue is just how monotonous and repetitive the main character’s inner monologue is. Felt very cardboard cutout and made it hard to care enough to start interested.
Just want enjoying very much. Biggest issue is just how monotonous and repetitive the main character’s inner monologue is. Felt very cardboard cutout and made it hard to care enough to start interested.
March 2, 2026
Abandoned 50%
This book is a quagmire of endless repetition and no substance.
needs brutal editing to give it some pace. Inner monologue, dreams and referencing his previous life and knowledge account for 90% of the word count.
life is too short to wade through this trying to find the gold.
This book is a quagmire of endless repetition and no substance.
needs brutal editing to give it some pace. Inner monologue, dreams and referencing his previous life and knowledge account for 90% of the word count.
life is too short to wade through this trying to find the gold.
July 27, 2025
worth a go
A new author who is hoping to take this on further. Good story and would be interested to see where he goes with it. Give it a go.
A new author who is hoping to take this on further. Good story and would be interested to see where he goes with it. Give it a go.
July 29, 2025
Good
No stats, but all the other features of LitRPG including levels, daos, and titles. Lots of action and interesting works building.
No stats, but all the other features of LitRPG including levels, daos, and titles. Lots of action and interesting works building.
August 4, 2025
great new series
This is a different take on LitRPG and I like it. I can’t wait to see what happens at the Nexus tournament and will Kain be the most powerful participant.
This is a different take on LitRPG and I like it. I can’t wait to see what happens at the Nexus tournament and will Kain be the most powerful participant.
didn-t-like-it
January 27, 2026Note to self: not horrible, but something about it just isn't clicking for me.
April 16, 2026
2 1\2 stars.
April 17, 2026
33% dnf
May 13, 2026
Dnf @50%
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews