Jin-Ho’s Hidden Role in Jin-Woo’s Rise: A Game-Changer in Solo Leveling!

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Summary

  • Jin-Woo met Jin-Ho, who underestimated his strength, leading to a close bond between them.
  • Jin-Woo’s progress would have been slower without Jin-Ho’s help in clearing dungeons.
  • Jin-Ho would not have progressed towards becoming a Guild Master without Jin-Woo’s skills.
Manhwa Debut Chapter 18
Anime Debut Episode 1, “I’m Used To It”
Class Tanker

Undeniably, I can’t help but note the remarkable strength and growth exhibited by Sung Jin-Woo in the world of “Solo Leveling“. Once known as the “Weakest Hunter of All Mankind”, he now hides a powerful secret. Following the discovery of his newfound abilities, he encountered Yoo Jin-Ho, who has been an unwavering ally since then. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if their paths had never crossed, how differently his journey might have unfolded?

In this universe, one’s hunter rank holds significant importance. Initially, when they crossed paths, Jin-Ho was a D-Rank while Jin-Woo was an E-Rank. Given the rank difference, Jin-Ho assumed a superior position over Jin-Woo. However, it wasn’t long before Jin-Ho recognized that Jin-Woo possessed extraordinary strength. At first, he addressed Jin-Woo with respect as if he were his superior. Over time, they developed a friendship and their bond grew so strong that Jin-Ho eventually regarded him like a sibling.

A Bond Created at The Verge of Danger

Jin-Woo initially crossed paths with Jin-Ho in Season 1, Episode 5. From the get-go, Jin-Ho appeared laid-back and somewhat innocent. However, it was clear he possessed a kind spirit. He endeavored to put Jin-Woo at ease and vowed to safeguard him. However, within the C-Rank gate, when they were on their own, Jin-Woo astounded Jin-Ho by vanquishing the dungeon boss single-handedly. This left Jin-Ho petrified, causing him to believe Jin-Woo was a rogue hunter who enjoyed slaughter for amusement. Overwhelmed with fear, he started addressing him as “boss” and offered to excavate mines for him. Yet, before they could clear up the misconception, Dong-Suk and his team stepped in.

Initially, the group aimed at Jin-Woo and instructed Jin-Ho to eliminate him. Despite being outnumbered, Jin-Ho refused the command and chose to stand by Jin-Woo instead. With no other options, Jin-Woo took down the band of assassins, allowing them both to escape the dungeon unscathed. When they were interrogated about what transpired in the dungeon, Jin-Ho lied on behalf of Jin-Woo, resulting in Jin-Ho receiving credit for the incident due to his potent equipment. In doing so, he successfully concealed Jin-Woo’s power.

A Necessary Partnership

Following the occurrences within the underground lair, they crossed paths once more. Jin-Ho proposed his strategy to conquer 19 such lairs in order to claim guild leadership, seeking Jin-Woo’s assistance. Despite being presented with a substantial sum of money, Jin-Woo declined the proposition. Instead, he opted to confront another lair, where he discovered information about the Elixir of Life – a potential remedy for his mother’s affliction. Failing to subdue the lair, he resolved to grow stronger in pursuit of this goal.

However, to accomplish this task, he had to conquer tough dungeons swiftly. Despite being an E-Rank hunter due to his strength, it was essential for him to assist Jin-Ho too. He accepted Jin-Ho’s proposal under the stipulation that they would clear the dungeons together, which kept his abilities hidden and enabled them to tackle dungeons beyond his current rank.

What If They Never Met?

Had Jin-Woo and Jin-Ho not crossed paths, their individual growth trajectories would have taken significantly different shapes. For one, Jin-Woo might have advanced at a much slower pace, as he wouldn’t have been able to clear the C-Rank dungeons effectively, which in turn would have prevented him from conquering the Demon Castle. On the other hand, Jin-Ho’s aspirations towards becoming a Guild Master would likely have remained unrealized due to his limited combat experience, had he not encountered Jin-Woo. In essence, they both rely heavily on each other’s presence for their respective advancements.

As Jin-Woo conquers each dungeon, his strength significantly increases. Given that he’s already achieved an S-Rank status, one might wonder if Jin-Ho is still necessary for him, or if their friendship could potentially weaken over time.

Solo Leveling is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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2025-02-16 19:24