Solo Leveling: Sung Jinwoo Vs Ant King

S-rank dungeons are rare, so most hunters naturally have no experience fighting magic beasts that dwell in them. Although fighting even ordinary monsters in these Gates is no easy task, the dungeon bosses are even more intimidating as they possess powers that transcend those of even the best hunters in the world.

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When Korean and Japanese hunters arrive on Jeju Island to reclaim the region from the evolved ant colony, they understand that they have an uphill battle ahead of them. But when Ant King, the secret dungeon boss, suddenly makes an appearance, things take a dark turn. Like other S-rank dungeon bosses, Ant King is also extremely powerful, but can he defeat a hunter of Sung Jinwoo’s caliber?

Ant King: The Secret Boss of Jeju Island’s S-rank Gate

The Strongest Dungeon Boss After Kamish and Kandiaru

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 94
• Anime Debut: Episode 22
• Rank: S-rank

Jeju Island had been teeming with evolved ants ever since there was a dungeon break. Despite the Korean government’s best efforts, the region could not be reclaimed and remained uninhabitable for years. But when the ants evolved to gain the ability to fly, the Japanese and Korean governments decided to plan a final raid to ensure that magic beasts did not wreak havoc in the two Asian countries.

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Meanwhile, the island had run out of resources to support the ant colonies, and the Ant Queen felt that they needed a leader who would help them find a new home. Just before the Jeju Island raid party left Korea for the daunting mission, she gave birth to her strongest soldier, the Ant King. Unlike other magic beasts on the island, the Ant King’s aura was so strong that it almost enveloped the entire region when he let out a battle cry.

Ant King was also quite intelligent and developed a surprisingly good strategic sense for high-stakes battles soon after his birth. By the time Korean and Japanese hunters arrived on the island, he was prepared to defend the ant colony. Initially, everything appeared to be going smoothly, but as soon as Ant King saw the opportunity, he started targeting Japanese hunters. This decision was quite clever because the Japanese contingent had decided to work in small groups. It meant that Ant King could take on two or three hunters at a time and slowly put his enemies in a state of frenzy.

When Ant King eventually attacked, the Japanese hunters felt helpless. His overwhelming strength and aura engulfed the battlefield, and the raid party members were paralyzed with fear. Ant King moved so fast that he beheaded some of the hunters even before they could understand what was happening. Even when some of them did, it was ultimately hopeless since they could not land a single blow. Ant King slaughtered S-rank hunters as if they were mere insects, and within a few moments, the Japanese contingent lost some of the country’s best fighters.

The Koreans were also helpless and could not do anything to stop the Ant King. Once he learned that the Ant Queen was dead, he killed Min Byung-gyu and severely injured others. Even during this brief battle, he demonstrated that he was perhaps one of the most intelligent magic beasts humanity had ever faced. Ant King targeted Cha Hae-In first, perhaps sensing that she was the strongest hunter in the Korean group. He also figured out that the group included a healer who was helping his teammates while staying hidden in plain sight.

Ant King’s quick thinking meant that none of the Jeju Island raid party members stood a chance against him. By eventually killing Goto Ryuji with one swift attack, he also established that death was inevitable for anyone who dared to step foot on the island. Apart from his overwhelming strength, intelligence, and speed, Ant King’s most impressive ability was to devour any human being or magic beast to absorb their knowledge or skills. This meant that he was capable of evolving exponentially, just like Sung Jinwoo.

Sung Jinwoo: Humanity’s Greatest Hunter

Korea’s 10th S-ranker

• Webtoon Debut: Chapter 1
• Anime Debut: Episode 1
• Class: Mage

Sung Jinwoo may have been a feeble and unimpressive hunter in the past, but following his reawakening, he sculpted himself into a fighter of unparalleled potential. Among the many abilities that he gained by clearing instant dungeons, shadow extraction is arguably the most terrifying. With some limitations, Jinwoo can use the power to resurrect a magic beast and add it to his army. During the Demon Castle arc, he gained an ability called Monarch’s Domain that allowed him to help his shadow army by increasing their power by 50%.

Despite being a mage-type hunter, he has shown that he can also employ skills like Stealth, which is predominantly used by assassin-type hunters. He moves so fast that even the best Korean S-rankers struggle to keep track of him. Along with frightening powers like mutilation and bloodlust, these abilities make Jinwoo an intimidating combatant who almost seems invincible.

Verdict: Who is Stronger?

Ant King Stands No Chance Against Sung Jinwoo

Ant King is a dangerous magic beast capable of slaughtering an entire S-rank squad of top hunters without sustaining any serious injuries. His aura alone makes hunters freeze with fear. But despite being an S-rank dungeon boss, Ant King is not strong enough to defeat Jinwoo. He struggles to even injure the hunter when the two fight and appears overwhelmed throughout the battle. It’s safe to say that Ant King is nowhere near as strong as Jinwoo.

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Solo Leveling

Release Date

January 7, 2024

Directors

Shunsuke Nakashige

Writers

Noboru Kimura

• 

  Taito Ban

  Shun Mizushino (voice)

• 

  Genta Nakamura

  Kenta Morobishi (voice)