Summary
- Sung Jin-Woo faces a new threat from superior beings, the Monarchs, in Solo Leveling.
- Jin-Woo’s connection to the Monarchs makes him a target due to his intentions.
- The Monarchs aim to eliminate Jin-Woo to prevent him from absorbing the Shadow Monarch’s powers.
The end of Solo Leveling’s Jeju Island arc marks the beginning of a more serious threat to Sung Jin-Woo and the rest of humanity. It isn’t the fight between the hunters and the magical beasts anymore, but between Sung Jin-Woo and the superior beings who made a short appearance in the final episode of Solo Leveling season 2. Who are these characters, and why does it seem they’re after Jin-Woo?
From the beginning of the series, it is obviously hinted that there’s a bigger enemy than the magical beasts emerging from the gates. The towering statues within the Cartenon Temple are just one of the many foreshadowings about the existence of higher beings in Solo Leveling. While these statues aren’t exactly enemies, they have a connection to the Monarchs, who made a short but meaningful appearance in the anime.
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This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa and novel.
Sung Jin-Woo’s Connection to the Monarchs
The System Acts as a Bridge
Even before Jin-Woo becomes a player in the system, one Monarch has already set his eyes on him, not due to his poor abilities but because of his repeated encounters with life-or-death situations. Jin-Woo’s transition to a player is not coincidental, as the Shadow Monarch had selected him beforehand, despite some reservations from the system’s designer. As soon as Jin-Woo demonstrates his worth, particularly his abilities, to the Shadow Monarch, his fateful meeting with the other Monarchs becomes inevitable.
“You have achieved so much with the body of a human. I am truly impressed by how much you have grown.”—The Architect to Sung Jin-Woo
The system is actually an artificial construct designed by the architect to help the Shadow Monarch find a human vessel. The original plan was to allow the Shadow Monarch to take over the vessel’s body to descend into the human world and assist the other Monarchs against their archenemies. However, the Shadow Monarch betrayed the architect, bestowing not just his powers but also his black heart on Jin-Woo.
Why Jin-Woo Is a Threat to the Monarchs
The Impact of the Shadow Monarch’s Betrayal
At this point, the Shadow Monarch’s betrayal also becomes a huge threat to the other Monarchs, since a human has obtained his powers. There’s no telling what’s going on inside Jin-Woo’s head, whether he will support the Monarchs or fight against them. One thing’s for sure: Jin-Woo is pro-humanity, with a strong resolve to protect his family, friends, and the world he lives in. In one way or another, he fights to maintain the world rather than destroy it, making his intentions closer to the original purpose of the Rulers.
“I will swallow the whole system.”—Sung Jin-Woo
After all, the Absolute Being created the Rulers to maintain the world while the Monarchs were created to destroy. That said, Jin-Woo, who fights to protect the world, becomes a huge threat to the Monarchs, who once desired to use the powers of the Shadow Monarch for their personal gain. However, back then, the Shadow Monarch previously sided with the Monarchs until he was betrayed by two of his allies who were overwhelmed by his strength.
Why Are the Monarchs After Jin-Woo?
They Want to Eliminate Him Before It’s Too Late
The Monarchs, particularly Sillad, Rakan, and Quehresha, are after Sung Jin-Woo because he is a huge threat to their plans to defeat the Rulers. They successfully killed some of the vessels of the Rulers until they messed with Go Gun-Hee, prompting Jin-Woo’s intervention. This encounter convinces the Frost Monarch that Jin-Woo is an enemy they need to eliminate before he can absorb the full powers of the Shadow Monarch, ruining their chances of winning against the Rulers in the process.
On the other hand, Sung Jin-Woo promises to exact revenge against the Frost Monarch, who was responsible for the chairman’s untimely death. It isn’t long before the two meet again, but this time, he is joined by Rakan and Quehresha. They invade Seoul, but Jin-Woo is there to stop their rampage, with the help of Thomas Andre, Lennart Niermann, and his estranged father. Without these three, Jin-Woo would not have been able to absorb the full powers of the Shadow Monarch in time.
“Don’t you find this amusing? A fight between a flame born in darkness and a darkness born in the light?”—Antares to Sung Jin-Woo
While all of this is happening, the rest of the Monarchs wait for the descent of the Dragon Monarch to cause trouble. And when he descends, it is up to Jin-Woo once again to face him. Meanwhile, the Rulers maintain a cordial relationship with Jin-Woo after the battle is over.
All in all, the real fight in Solo Leveling is between the higher beings created by the Absolute Being. The never-ending war between the Monarchs and the Rulers is the real problem that Jin-Woo must face rather than the magical beasts that emerge from the mysterious gates. Unfortunately, humanity is caught in the middle, with all hopes resting on Jin-Woo and his resolve to put an end to it all.
Solo Leveling
- Release Date
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January 7, 2024
- Directors
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Shunsuke Nakashige
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Taito Ban
Shun Mizushino (voice)
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Genta Nakamura
Kenta Morobishi (voice)
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