The Strongest Hunters Who Died In Solo Leveling

Summary

• Hunters in Solo Leveling face deadly foes, resulting in life-or-death decisions with lasting impacts.
• Deaths of skilled hunters like Hwang Dongsoo and Goto Ryuji reveal the harsh world they live in.
• Complex villains, such as Yuri Orloff and Christopher Reed, contribute to the series’ intense atmosphere.

Hunters in the Solo Leveling universe are frequently pushed into circumstances that endanger their lives and force them to make split-second decisions that have far-reaching consequences. Since deadly beasts and ancient demons constantly threaten peace and sometimes even the future of humanity, hunters often end up losing their lives while fighting for the greater good.

The series is filled with gut-wrenching moments that capture the cruelty of a hunter’s life and the sacrifices they have to make. While some die fighting courageously, there are also a few who suffer because of their poor life decisions. Regardless of the circumstances, the deaths of the following hunters serve as an example of the ruthless nature of their world, where one decision could be the difference between triumph and death, regardless of how strong or prepared someone is.

Spoilers Ahead for Solo Leveling

7

Hwang Dongsoo

Korean S-Ranker Who Moved to America

• Anime Debut: Episode 7
• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 36
• Skills: Enhanced Strength and Enhanced Speed

Following Dongsuk’s death, Hwang Dongsoo was overcome with a desire for revenge. He finally got the right opportunity when Jinwoo arrived in America with Yoo Jinho for the International Guild Conference. Despite being warned by Thomas Andre, Hwang Dongsoo still decided to take his revenge by kidnapping Jinho, hoping that the ensuing chaos would lead to a fight between Jinwoo and Andre.

If I don’t kill, I will be killed. I can’t run away anymore.

However, things took a turn for the worse, as Sung defeated Thomas without getting any serious injuries. Once there was no one else to stop him, Jinwoo killed Hwang Dongsoo, ending the conflict once and for all.

6

Yuri Orloff

Russian Mage-Type S-Ranker

• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 151
• Skills: Barrier Magic

Yuri Orloff was a skilled mage-type hunter. His barrier magic had crucial real-life applications and allowed him to make a fortune for himself.

When an S-Rank Gate appeared in Tokyo, Orloff was hired for 10 million dollars a day to create a barrier so that the inhabitants were protected and the damage was kept to a minimum in case of a dungeon break. Unfortunately, Yuri’s barrier magic was not strong enough to stop the monsters, and he was killed in action.

5

Goto Ryuji

Draw Sword Guild’s Leader

• Anime Debut: Episode 20
• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 106
• Skills: Immense Strength and Enhanced Speed

Considered Japan’s greatest hunter, Goto Ryuji was a battle-hardened and ruthless combatant. Although he was an accomplished hunter, Ryuji was a horrible human being who was willing to use any means necessary to get what he wanted. His corruption had reached a point where he was unbothered by the death of his comrades as long as his goals were achieved.

In the Jeju Island arc, Goto’s cruelty and selfishness brought about his downfall, as he was unexpectedly faced with the Ant King. When he was asked by the dungeon boss if he was the king, Ryuji replied in the affirmative, not realizing his rival’s true power. Based on his answer, the Ant King presumed that he was the leader of the party that had descended on Jeju Island and violently murdered him without breaking a sweat.

4

Jonas

Brazil’s Strongest Hunter

• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 199
• Skills: Spiritual Body Manifestation and Ruler’s Authority

Not much is known about Jonas, but he was expected to represent his country in the International Guild Conference. Unfortunately, he never made it to the prestigious conference and disappeared without any trace.

An investigation was organized to find his whereabouts, but Jonas was never seen alive again. His body was later found floating in a river around the same time Reed was murdered, which raised even more questions.

3

Go Gunhee

Chairman Of The Korean Hunters Association

• Anime Debut: Episode 1
• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 78
• Skills: Spiritual Body Manifestation, Immense Strength, and Ruler’s Authority

Go Gunhee was a respectful and humble S-Rank Korean hunter. He was quite observant and open-minded. Unlike other hunters, he deeply cared about Korea’s future and always prioritized the greater good. Despite his poor health, he was actively involved with the Korean Hunters Association and carried out his responsibilities as chairman with integrity.

When Sung Jinwoo rose to power, Gunhee became close friends with him. The latter even planted an ant inside his shadow to come to his defense if the situation demanded. During the International Guild Conference, Jinwoo was in America representing his country when Sillad carried out a well-planned ambush. By the time Jinwoo used Shadow Exchange to come to Gunhee’s rescue, it was already too late, as the King of Snow Folk had fatally injured him. Even when Sung offered to help him recover using the Holy Water of Life, Gunhee refused and accepted his death.

2

Christopher Reed

America’s Second-Strongest Hunter

• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 176
• Skills: Spiritual Body Manifestation and Ruler’s Authority

Christopher Reed, like other national-level hunters, was quite prideful and arrogant. So, when Norma Selner informed him of his predestined death, he was initially reluctant to believe it. But he soon changed his mind after some introspection and started taking his security more seriously.

If you guys are hunters, I’m saying you should be ready to become hunted.

However, as a national-level hunter, Reed enjoyed a luxurious life and lived alone in a huge mansion. One night, Christopher had an eerie feeling and soon realized that he had been cornered by three mysterious individuals. The trio was revealed to be composed of Sillad, Querehsha, and Tarnak, who wanted to kill the Rulers’ vessel before the war even began. Faced with his impending doom, Christopher decided to fight to his last breath, but was no match for the three Monarchs.

1

Sung Il-Hwan

Sung Jinwoo’s Father

• Anime Debut: Episode 15
• Webnovel Debut: Chapter 68
• Skills: Spiritual Body Manifestation, Stealth, and Ruler’s Authority

Sung Il-Hwan disappeared many years before his son, Sung Jinwoo, became a hunter. In his absence, his family suffered immensely, but he did not have much of a choice. By the time he could finally see his son, it was already too late. Sung Il-Hwan came to Jinwoo’s defense when Sillad and Rakan had him cornered, determined to kill him before he gained his full strength.

Il-Hwan singlehandedly fought the two Monarchs for a brief moment, but they eventually managed to gain the upper hand. By the time Jinwoo recovered, his father had overexerted himself to the point of no return. Although they had a brief reunion, Il-Hwan’s body disintegrated, unable to handle the power that he was gifted by the Rulers. Il-Hwan deeply cared for his family, and in his last moments, he expressed his regret for not being a better father.