Why Jinwoo, the Weakest Hunter, Was Chosen to Wield the Shadow Monarch’s Power!

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Summary

  • Jinwoo being the weakest hunter is actually an advantage for Ashborn to choose him as a vessel.
  • Jinwoo’s constant near-death experiences made him the best candidate for powers related to death.

The following contains manhwa spoilers for Solo Leveling.

The “Solo Leveling” anime has yet to delve into the actual causes behind Jinwoo gaining the system’s power following the double dungeon. While we’re aware that his performance in the double dungeon triggered the system, we’re still unclear about the specific standards or factors that led to him receiving the colossal powers associated with the Shadow Monarch.

Initially, Jinwoo appears to be an unusual selection for these specific powers, given that he is the least powerful hunter in the Solo Leveling series at first. However, considering that the system’s apparent objective is to prepare the optimal vessel for the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, one might wonder why such a weak hunter was chosen for this role.

Someone Close to Death

Why Jinwoo’s Weakness Is an Advantage

In the captivating Solo Leveling manhwa, it seems evident that one significant factor leading Ashborn to select Jinwoo as a potential heir to his powers was undeniably his comparatively weak Hunter awakening.

It appears you have spent a significant portion of your existence in both the world of the living and the deceased. That’s why it’s plausible that the Shadow Monarch Ashborn imbued such power to a mortal like yourself.” – The Monarch Anteres commenting as he observes Jinwoo transforming.

In Chapter 175, it’s revealed that Jinwoo’s capacity to harness the Shadow Monarch’s power is due to his numerous encounters with death throughout his hunter journey. As the previously weakest hunter, Jinwoo often found himself perilously close to death when navigating dungeons. Initially, he even struggled against the most feeble of monsters, needing Lee Joohee’s assistance just to endure for a short while. Despite his initial weakness appearing unpromising for power acquisition, it was actually these frequent brushes with mortality that made Jinwoo an ideal candidate for becoming an Ashborn vessel.

From the very beginning, this individual was engaged in a personal struggle, long before he acquired his power… It’s necessary for me to eliminate him. He’s become far too perilous.” -Anteres

It seems highly probable that among all hunters worldwide, Jinwoo has faced the toughest challenges, which makes him an ideal contender for powers linked to death. Anteres came to understand that despite being a mere human, Sung Jinwoo possesses the unique ability to unleash the full might of death onto our planet. This power, even among some of the strongest beings, is so formidable that it instilled fear in Anteres, leading him to believe he must eliminate Jinwoo before he fully masters his abilities.

The System Acts as Narrative Enforcement

Why Choosing Jinwoo Makes for a Better Story

A key factor that made Jinwoo an ideal choice for wielding the system’s power over a more powerful hunter was due to the system’s own significance in terms of storytelling elements. Essentially, the system serves as a metaphorical stand-in for the author and the narrative, imposing restrictions that Jinwoo must conquer.

In this kind of scenario, it’s wiser for the system to select a hunter who shows the most promise for growth. Although picking a more powerful hunter might seem like a logical decision, the tale requires a main character with unwavering determination and resilience. This role fits Jinwoo, a character hinted to have an exceptional willpower among all, perfectly as he can challenge the system’s boundaries and, symbolically, the story itself.

As a budding enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by Jinwoo’s unique position. Starting from the ground floor gives him the greatest opportunity to escalate his power beyond comparison among all hunters. If the system’s immense power were bestowed upon an already powerful hunter, it seems unlikely they could fully unleash its potential due to their limited scope for growth and expansion.

The determination you show in handling everything alone… It reminds me of Ashborn, your forerunner.” – The Rulers to Jinwoo before he used the Reincarnation Cup.

Solo Leveling can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Amazon.

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2025-05-02 20:04