Solo Leveling: Every Character That Could’ve Killed Jinwoo, Ranked

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This article contains spoilers for Solo Leveling.

Defeating Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling appears impossible for any enemy. He controls the dead and essentially commands the System itself. What’s more, Jinwoo consistently grows more powerful during fights, always winning even against those who should be stronger than him.

On top of everything else, Jinwoo seems to be incredibly lucky – it’s like the story protects him from truly dying. He’s faced many battles where he was almost defeated by enemies much stronger than himself, pushing him to his absolute limit. He should have lost several times in Solo Leveling, but he always manages to get a sudden boost of power just when he needs it.

8. Kang Tae-Shik

Kang Tae-Shik is a B-rank hunter with the Korean Hunters Association, but he leads a dangerous double life as a cold-blooded assassin. He specifically targets and eliminates weaker hunters, showing no compassion even for those trying to recover or considered low-status.

Kang Tae-Shik is a highly skilled underground assassin known for his speed and accuracy, allowing him to eliminate targets quickly. When he faced Jinwoo, he demonstrated his mastery of the assassin’s craft, showcasing both incredibly fast reactions and expert stealth.

Without Jinwoo’s enhanced speed, Kang Tae-Shik would have likely killed him, along with Lee Joo-Hee and Song Chi-Yul.

7. Baruka

When Jinwoo and Baruka first encountered each other during the Red Gate arc, Baruka was clearly the stronger fighter. This was demonstrated when Jinwoo couldn’t successfully summon Baruka’s shadow, highlighting the difference in their abilities.

In Solo Leveling Season 2, Jinwoo faces a tough battle against Baruka, the leader of the ice elves and his army. Baruka is an incredibly strong opponent, overwhelming Jinwoo with his speed, stamina, and constant attacks. Jinwoo is pushed to his limit, almost exhausting his mana while summoning shadow warriors just to keep up with Baruka’s immense power.

Even though Baruka was defeated by Jinwoo, his strong will to resist having his shadow stolen – he did it twice! – shows just how powerful he truly is.

6. Blood-Red Commander Igris

Jinwoo’s next challenge, the Job-Change quest, will pit him against Igris, the Blood-Red Commander – a powerful warrior who guards the empty throne. Igris is incredibly dangerous, wielding a sword that could defeat Jinwoo instantly.

Luckily, things went Jinwoo’s way during his battle with Igris. The powerful warrior, a devout follower of the first Shadow Monarch, surprisingly dropped his enormous sword, giving Jinwoo a chance to fight on equal footing.

Igris would likely have won his fight against Jinwoo if he hadn’t dropped his sword. That mistake gave Jinwoo the opening he needed to take control, capitalize on Igris’s vulnerability, and ultimately win the battle.

5. Sillad

Sillad, known as the Frost Monarch, is a remarkably clever character in Solo Leveling. He’s perceptive enough to have targeted Jinwoo – along with the other monarchs – even before Jinwoo fully ascended to monarch status. Sillad is incredibly ruthless, and his determination to permanently eliminate all rulers is stronger than ever.

Sillad leads the snowfolk and is powerful enough to control even very strong dungeon bosses, like Baruka. During the monarchs’ attack on Seoul, he nearly defeated Jinwoo, but Sung Il-Hwan managed to stop him.

Sillad stands out because he’s willing to ask for help, even if it means fighting Jinwoo with two teammates by his side. This shows he’s not just strong, but also smart – he uses his skills and intelligence to create the best plan to win.

4. Sung Il-Hwan

I’m a huge fan of Solo Leveling, and it’s so fascinating to me that Sung Il-Hwan’s true goal isn’t what it seems! He actually made a deal with the Rulers to eliminate Sung Jinwoo. When he was first released, he definitely could have done it, but he just didn’t have the heart. Can you imagine being asked to kill your own son, even for freedom? It’s a tough spot for Sung Il-Hwan, and really adds a layer of tragedy to his story.

I have to admit, seeing Il-Hwan’s power up close was terrifying. If he hadn’t been Jinwoo’s father, I genuinely believe he would have eliminated Jinwoo the moment he returned. Il-Hwan is unbelievably strong – he could take on three Monarchs at once, and he’d finish off an S-rank hunter like Hwang Dong-Soo in seconds. It’s a good thing Jinwoo shares his bloodline, otherwise things could have gone very differently.

3. The Architect of the System

Kandiaru, also known as the Architect of the System, is a powerful demon who created the system and its flawed abilities. The early episodes of Solo Leveling demonstrated the devastating power of his creations, like the massive Statue of God and the deadly statues that quickly defeated many hunters, including Jinwoo’s comrades.

Kandiaru could have easily defeated Jinwoo at any point. Even during their fight in the Double Dungeon, he was much stronger. However, he deliberately held back because he wanted to witness Ashborn’s arrival on Earth.

Kandiaru is a powerful opponent who can counter Sung Jinwoo’s shadow army and even keep up with his speed, using Jinwoo’s own attacks against him. He excels in both close and long-distance fighting, and Jinwoo genuinely believed Kandiaru could kill him. Remarkably, Kandiaru is one of the very few characters in Solo Leveling to survive an encounter with Jinwoo.

2. Ashborn

Ashborn, the first Shadow Monarch, has the power to eliminate Jinwoo whenever he chooses. If Ashborn were to reject Jinwoo as his host, Jinwoo would be defenseless against any danger. Even a simple goblin could seriously harm him, and it wouldn’t take long for someone or something to kill him during a dungeon exploration now that he wouldn’t have the Shadow Monarch’s abilities protecting him.

Despite becoming the Shadow Monarch, Jinwoo was still theoretically vulnerable to Ashborn, who possessed much stronger powers and could easily overpower him. Ashborn is known as the most terrifying monarch, suggesting Jinwoo would likely be defeated if they fought.

1. Antares

Antares, the most powerful ruler in Solo Leveling, had the ability to defeat Jinwoo repeatedly. However, he preferred to let Jinwoo improve and attempt to overcome him, finding it more enjoyable than simply ending the fight. He could have easily defeated Jinwoo at any moment, but didn’t find it satisfying to do so.

In the story Solo Leveling, Antares initially has the upper hand over Jinwoo, defeating him several times. However, after training in the Dimensional Rift and gaining the strength of almost ten million soldiers, Jinwoo becomes powerful enough to overcome and permanently defeat Antares.

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2026-02-16 22:36