Critical

VITAL

["**Hint:** Essential for life or success.\n\n*(This hint guides the solver toward the idea of importance or necessity without directly repeating \"critical\" or giving away \"vital.\")*"]

The clue **"Critical"** leads to the answer **"VITAL"** through a straightforward definition-based connection. - **"Critical"** can mean *of great importance* or *essential to the survival or success of something*, which is a direct synonym of **"VITAL."** - There is no wordplay or pun involved here—this is a simple case of one word being a synonym for another. Thus, the answer fits because **"VITAL"** perfectly captures the meaning of **"Critical"** in this context.