Solo Leveling: The SHOCKING Reason Sung Jin-Woo Couldn’t Get Baruka!

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Summary

  • Sung Jin-Woo can raise an army of shadow soldiers, but not every defeated foe can be resurrected.
  • Jin-Woo encounters Baruka, who offers a deal to avoid a fight, but is ultimately defeated.
  • Possible reasons why Jin-Woo couldn’t extract Baruka’s shadow include strength, resolve, and plot necessity.

In the thrilling series, “Solo Leveling,” it’s widely agreed that Shadow Extraction is Sung Jin-Woo’s most valuable skill. This ability allows him to summon an army of shadow soldiers from his vanquished foes, simply by uttering a specific phrase. However, not every adversary that Sung Jin-Woo overcomes can be revived using this skill, such as Baruka, the boss of the Red Gate dungeon and leader of the Ice Elves.

Prior to his fateful meeting with Baruka, Sung Jin-Woo was accompanied by two potent and steadfast shadow soldiers. On his third attempt, he managed to acquire Igris’ shadow, whereas he captured Tank’s shadow on the first try. Later, he welcomed Kim Chul into his group and dubbed him Iron. Eventually, he planned to employ the same technique on Baruka, aiming to harness his power for potential battles in the future, as depicted in Solo Leveling.

Sung Jin-Woo’s Encounter With Baruka

Jin-Woo’s Clash With the Leader of the Ice Elves

During the occurrence at the Red Gate dungeon, Sung Jin-Woo crosses paths with Baruka simultaneously as high-ranking Scavenger Guild hunter Hwang Dong-Soo touches down in South Korea. Within the confines of the Red Gate, Jin-Woo unexpectedly stumbles upon ice elves and ice bears, poised to attack him and his fellow explorers. Effortlessly defeating the ice bears, Jin-Woo manages to convert them into his shadowy minions. However, he experiences some difficulty in subduing Baruka.

Prior to engaging in combat, Jin-Woo discovers he can speak Monster Language fluently and comprehend Baruka. He also uncovers that monsters have inner voices urging them to attack humans. Baruka proposes a truce with Jin-Woo, assuming him not human and wishing to avoid unnecessary casualties. However, Sung Jin-Woo refuses the offer and elects to battle Baruka instead.

“You’re an amusing guy.”—Baruka to Sung Jin-Woo

Ultimately, Sung Jin-Woo manages to emerge victorious against Baruka, largely due to his unwavering resolve and a touch of fortune. With Igris, Tank, Iron, and Jin-Woo himself united in their efforts, they were able to overcome Baruka despite the disparity in power.

Why Can’t Sung Jin-Woo Extract Baruka?

Possible Reasons Explored

Firstly, Sung Jin-Woo’s Shadow Extraction ability doesn’t always work perfectly, which is why he gets three attempts to use it on one target. Once these chances are used up, there’s nothing he can do, even if he desperately wants to augment his team with more members. The Shadow Extraction isn’t foolproof and works differently for each opponent Jin-Woo encounters due to various factors, and Baruka is no different in this regard.

Difference in Strength

In chapter 55 of ‘Solo Leveling’, it appears that I, as an observer, witnessed Sung Jin-Woo ponder over his unsuccessful attempt at extracting Baruka’s shadow. He believes this failure was due to a vast disparity in their power levels. At the time of their encounter, Baruka towered above Jin-Woo, who, despite having a larger force at his disposal, lacked the mana reserves to maintain them for an extended period. Even Igris, his foot soldiers, and mages seemed incapable of withstanding Baruka’s might. It seems plausible that Baruka was simply far stronger than Jin-Woo when he attempted to use the skill, leading to its failure.

Baruka’s Mental Resolve

Some spectators believe that Baruka’s unyielding spirit prior to his demise may have played a role in Jin-Woo’s unsuccessful attempt. It’s possible that Baruka showed an exceptional level of determination to defy Jin-Woo’s commands, which was greater than that of most of his shadow soldiers. If Jin-Woo had managed to weaken Baruka’s resolve before he died, he might have had a better success rate, although this notion remains unproven.

For Plot Purposes

Without the limitations of Baruka’s influence on Sung Jin-Woo’s progression, his presence might no longer be essential. If Jin-Woo had successfully separated Baruka’s shadow, Sillad, the Frost Monarch, would have discovered him and his shadow troops much sooner, as depicted in chapter 151 of Solo Leveling. This revelation suggests that the Frost Monarch would have reached out to Jin-Woo far earlier than expected.

“Hand over the humans behind you. Then I’ll spare your life.”—Baruka to Sung Jin-Woo

Sung Jin-Woo’s unsuccessful effort to capture Baruka’s shadow serves as a lesson that powerful anime heroes can stumble when there are limitations in play. If Jin-Woo were able to convert every formidable foe into his shadow, the challenges ahead in the world of Solo Leveling might become less significant. However, it’s worth noting that he already possesses a number of strong shadow soldiers, making Baruka’s shadow unnecessary for him.

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2025-03-23 19:08