Do Hunters Still Hate Beru After Jeju Island?

by

Summary

  • Beru is one of Jin-Woo’s most powerful shadows with unparalleled loyalty and healing abilities.
  • Hunters like Cha Hae-In learned to accept and respect Beru despite his traumatic past actions.
  • Fear and hatred toward Beru transformed into respect and acceptance.

In the series Solo Leveling, the Ant King is the formidable monster that confronts the top-tier hunters from both Japan and Korea on Jeju Island. He stands as a symbol of unbridled terror, effortlessly outmatching S-rank hunters with his incredible speed and ruthlessness, rendering them powerless in his presence. However, following his transformation into Jin-Woo’s shadow, there’s been some speculation among the surviving hunters about whether they harbor feelings of animosity towards the Ant King, or Beru as he is known, instead.

In the world of “Solo Leveling”, it is Beru who recently became the newest addition to Sung Jin-Woo’s team of shadows. Unlike his fellow shadows, Beru holds the high rank of general and possesses the unique ability to heal. Moreover, he can communicate fluently in human language. This sets Beru apart as one of Jin-Woo’s most formidable shadows, capable of commanding the army on the battlefield. Additionally, Beru demonstrates an exceptional level of devotion and loyalty towards Jin-Woo, treating him as if he were his personal monarch.

The Trauma of the Jeju Island Raid on the Hunters

It Was Supposed to Be a Counterattack Without Casualties

From my vantage point, the fourth raid on Jeju Island could arguably be seen as victorious; however, it was undeniably a costly undertaking. The tragic loss of crucial figures and the profound emotional wounds inflicted upon both soldiers and civilians were its bitter consequences. For Japan, the demise of Goto Ryuji signified a substantial weakening, while for Korea, the loss of Min Byung-Gu, their sole S-rank healer, was an irreplaceable blow. Initially intended as a casualty-free counterattack, the sudden emergence of the Ant King plunged the situation into turmoil until the arrival of Jin-Woo.

“You mean the S-rank hunters are being viciously torn apart by just one ant?”—Matsumoto Shigeo

In a chilling manner, the Ant King showed no mercy, ensuring that the hunters departing Jeju Island bore deep emotional scars instead of merely leaving. Cha Hae-In sustained grievous wounds, Baek Yoon-Ho lost his companion, and Ma Dong-Wook was left armless in their encounter. Conversely, the Japanese hunters, led by Minoru Hoshino, were pushed to the brink of madness upon witnessing Goto Ryuji’s demise. Ultimately, those who survived recalled the Ant King not as a hidden boss from a game but as a terrifying nightmare following the dungeon raid’s conclusion.

This section contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

The Ant King’s Rebirth As Beru

Beru’s Role in Jin-Woo’s Army

Sung Jin-Woo didn’t show any hesitation when he employed Shadow Extraction on the Ant King; it seemed like the emotional turmoil he inflicted on the hunters was inconsequential to him. Rather than annihilating the Ant King completely, he decided to enlist him into his forces and christened him Beru. However, despite removing Beru’s inclination towards malice and brutality towards humans, it failed to alleviate the trauma and distressing memories that the survivors of Jeju Island continued to bear due to him.

“My King. Please give me a name.”—Beru to Jin-Woo

Initially, Cha Hae-In found it disquieting when she met Beru during the Ahjin Guild Arc, despite her efforts to progress. She hadn’t fully healed from the past trauma, and Beru’s grotesque appearance, his ability to speak like a human, and the overpowering aura he exuded made him quite unnerving. Additionally, seeing Beru brought back memories of her powerlessness on the island.

So, Do the Hunters Hate Beru After Jeju Island?

The Hunters Learned to Accept Beru

Initially, I found myself at odds with Beru, but over time, his exceptional actions during critical situations compelled me to regard him as an ally. In essence, I was forced to depend on him, despite my discomfort with his presence. Gradually, I came to appreciate Beru’s importance within Jin-Woo’s army and viewed him as an extension of the brilliant hunter rather than a distinct entity. However, it took me considerable time before I began to see him in a more favorable light.

“I was the one who killed you. Can you still be obedient and follow me?”—Jin-Woo to Beru

Because of Beru’s metamorphosis, there’s a noticeable change in his character portrayal. This transformation stirs a stronger, more private anger within certain hunters like Baek Yoon-Ho. Despite this, they can’t ignore the insect’s value in battling superior beings. It’s even possible that other hunters opt to steer clear of Beru rather than face their lingering emotions about him. Regrettably, the comic series (manhwa) didn’t delve into these complexities, instead focusing on larger issues as events unfolded.

Fear and Hatred Transformed Into Respect and Acceptance

In the intensifying storyline of Solo Leveling, the hunters gradually acknowledge and admire Beru’s pivotal position in Jin-Woo’s forces. His unwavering capacity to confront the Monarchs, command the shadow soldiers, and serve Jin-Woo faithfully leaves no room for doubt in their minds. Rather than holding onto their animosity toward Beru’s actions during the Jeju Island raid, they shift their focus to the current predicament and the true adversary. Although some residual pain or awkwardness remains, the hunters set aside their differences and unite in combat.

In the world of Solo Leveling, it seems like Beru has been around long enough for his role to transform from a hero to himself, rather than the other way around. This new perspective paints Beru as a protector, giving him a chance at redemption, all thanks to Jin-Woo’s influence. If not for Jin-Woo stepping in during the fourth raid, the hunters might have faced even greater challenges dealing with the harrowing events of that raid. Crucially, Beru is now demonstrating that he has moved beyond his past as the terrifying monster of Jeju Island.

Read More

2025-04-11 04:54