Why Jin-Woo Is Called the Incomplete Monarch in Solo Leveling

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Summary

  • The Frost and Beast Monarchs debut in Solo Leveling, increasing the threat to Sung Jin-Woo and his allies.
  • Jin-Woo’s power on Jeju Island attracts the Monarchs, sparking anticipation of their future interactions.
  • Jin-Woo transforms from an incomplete to a complete monarch by absorbing the Shadow Monarch’s powers.

The second season of “Solo Leveling” has concluded, but the tale of Sung Jin-Woo is far from finished. In the finale, the emergence of two Monarchs suggests a much more daunting danger approaching not just Jin-Woo, but also his family, friends, and the entire world. As the narrative in “Solo Leveling” progresses, these Monarchs seem to regard Jin-Woo as an incomplete Monarch, seemingly underestimating his exceptional skills.

In the final episode of Solo Leveling season 2, the Frost Monarch and Beast Monarch gracefully enter the anime scene for the first time. Despite their fleeting presence, they exert a substantial influence on the story’s direction, hinting at future events in the upcoming arc. As Jin-Woo’s strength escalates, his adversaries inch ever closer with the intention of confronting him.

This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

The Appearance of the Monarchs on Jeju Island

Enter Sillad and Rakan

On Jeju Island, Sung Jin-Woo manages to breach the dungeon’s barrier just in time to save a group of Korean S-rank hunters from certain death at the hands of the Ant King. His timely arrival not only prevented the demise of these skilled hunters but also paved the way for the Monarchs to show up. Alongside his shadow army, he successfully completes this arduous task and advances to level 100. As a reward, he receives a puzzling key from the system and gains a new commander for his shadow forces. In essence, Jin-Woo achieves a significant accomplishment on Jeju Island by joining the fray at the very last moment of the battle against the Ant King.

Sillad and Rakan traveled to the island primarily due to the influence of Sung Jin-Woo and his lingering power. Since Jin-Woo released a massive surge of power to exterminate the mutated ants, he inadvertently attracted the notice of the two Monarchs. It was later discovered that they detected the Shadow Monarch through Jin-Woo’s power, which prompted them to visit the island and investigate the situation.

“I’m sure that it’s his power.”—Rakan to Sillad

Although the Monarchs did not encounter Jin-Woo following the battle, they were convinced of the Shadow Monarch’s power remaining active. As a result, Sillad and Rakan expect that the Shadow Monarch will reach out to them at some point, much like the other Monarchs who claimed their vessels sequentially. Regrettably, comics readers are aware that the Shadow Monarch has chosen an unexpected path that could provoke everyone.

Why the Monarchs Call Jin-Woo the Incomplete Monarch

They Detest Jin-Woo Above All Else

The Monarchs show no fondness for Jin-Woo, primarily because he’s considered an “imperfect monarch.” Instead of treating him with respect or fairness, they go out of their way to belittle his skills and demean his humanity. In contrast, they maintain some level of professional interaction with the other Monarchs. However, when it comes to Jin-Woo, things are markedly different. They view him as a threat to be dealt with swiftly and a being beneath them who needs to understand his lowly position in their world.

“That’s strange. I don’t understand why he’s helping humans.”—Sillad to Rakan

From the perspective of the Monarchs, especially Sillad, Jin-Woo is deemed an imperfect monarch as the Shadow Monarch did not fully possess his body. Unlike other vessels, Jin-Woo retains his consciousness, physical form, and free will. Additionally, he acquires the black heart of the Shadow Monarch, a development that was not anticipated in the original scheme. If it weren’t for the Shadow Monarch’s treachery, events would have unfolded as planned by the Monarchs against the Rulers.

Is Jin-Woo Truly an Incomplete Monarch?

Jin-Woo Becomes One With the Shadow Monarch

At the culmination of the “Monarchs War” storyline in “Solo Leveling”, Jin-Woo achieves a profound union with the Shadow Monarch. His transformation is complete as he graduates from an incompletely realized monarch to a fully-realized one, absorbing all the powers of the Shadow Monarch. This absorption removes any constraints on his abilities, particularly those related to shadow exchange and even shadow extraction. The other Monarchs are faced with a worst-case scenario as they once again experience intense dread from the newly empowered Shadow Monarch.

Previously, the Shadow Monarch’s immense power posed a danger to other monarchs, notably Rakan and Baran, resulting in their treachery. Now, it’s Sung Jin-Woo who has evolved into a formidable adversary for Sillad, Rakan, and even Querehsha, prompting an invasion attempt on Seoul. Despite the passage of time, the outcome remains consistent: once more, the Shadow Monarch stands victorious.

“The hunt will proceed as planned. Nothing has changed.”—Sillad to Rakan

In the world of Solo Leveling, not even powerful figures like the Monarchs are invincible when it comes to Jin-Woo. Any who dare cross him find themselves brought down by his immense power and strength. Though others view him as an incompletely realized Monarch, his abilities speak volumes, bridging the chasm between a mere human and a superior being. Ultimately, it’s advantageous for Jin-Woo to remain an incomplete Monarch, given that he strives to unite with the Shadow Monarch in the series.

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2025-04-09 03:25