Will Beru’s Loyalty to Jin-Woo Be Tested in Solo Leveling?

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Summary

  • Beru, the mutated Ant King, joins Sung Jin-Woo’s army as a general-grade shadow with unwavering devotion.
  • Beru’s loyalty surpasses that of other shadows, but his instinct to kill briefly causes issues.
  • Despite a moment of disobedience, Beru remains fiercely loyal to Jin-Woo, intensifying his commitment.

In the story of Solo Leveling, following the events on Jeju Island, Sung Jin-Woo’s troop of shadows expands. The transformed Ant King, who caused turmoil against both Japanese and Korean S-rank hunters, is ultimately subdued and then converted into a shadow soldier. Now called Beru, this shadow general swears loyalty to Jin-Woo, but the question remains: will he ever betray him?

In the world of ‘Solo Leveling’, Sung Jin-Woo’s shadows are renowned for their unwavering loyalty to their master. They carry out Jin-Woo’s instructions without question or hesitation, always following his lead. Even formidable figures like the mutated Ant King and high-grade shadows such as Igris, Tank, Tusk, Kaisel, and Iron submit to Jin-Woo as loyal servants.

This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

Beru Could Be the Most Loyal Shadow to Jin-Woo

His Loyalty Is on a Different Level Than That of His Kind

  • Anime Debut: Solo Leveling season 2 episode 13, “On to the Next Target”
  • Webtoon Debut: Solo Leveling chapter 105
  • Shadow Grade: General
  • Story Arc: Jeju Island Arc

Instead of yearning to rule the world and conquer Jin-Woo, the Ant King who was extracted by Jin-Woo and named Beru, harbored a single ambition – to serve his liege, Jin-Woo. In Beru’s eyes, Jin-Woo is the supreme being in the world, a fact that seems to have erased memories of past intentions to consume him and seize his powers. Alongside the other shadows in the army, Beru bows before his master, expressing respect and loyalty.

Unlike other shadows, Beru’s devotion towards Sung Jin-Woo runs deeper, possibly due to a desire to compensate for past wrongdoings and demonstrate his value. He finds joy in following Jin-Woo’s commands, especially when leading an army, and thrives on recognition. Yet, his greatest sorrow stems from not being recognized for his efforts by Jin-Woo.

“You sure have a lot to say for someone who’s about to die.”—Beru

Beru’s unwavering dedication could be seen as fervent, even bordering on excessive praise, often using the most flattering words to highlight Jin-Woo’s talents. He is consistently present to bestow admiration upon him, adding a humorous touch to the series. Among other shadows, Beru stands out for his vivid demonstrations of loyalty towards Jin-Woo, potentially making him the most devoted shadow.

Beru’s Instinct to Kill Becomes a Problem

Jin-Woo’s Loyal Shadow Turns Against His Will

It’s common knowledge that Beru was created as a destructive force, designed specifically to annihilate hunters. The queen ant raised him with an insatiable appetite for consumption, and instilled in him thoughts of growth and survival for their colony. He was meant to be the top warrior, capable of leading their forces against enemies. Despite now being completely devoted to Jin-Woo, Beru’s past, particularly his innate desire to kill, is something he finds difficult to shake off.

Indeed, during the Ahjin Guild Arc, Beru, one of Jin-Woo’s shadows, performed an extraordinary act. For the first time, a shadow acted against Jin-Woo’s will and followed its instinct to kill. This event transpired during Cha Hae-In’s application process for the Ahjin Guild, where a key requirement is defeating at least one of the powerful shadows. In contrast, Cha Hae-In managed to overcome Igris. However, later on, she requested Jin-Woo to unleash his most formidable shadow.

“I have never failed to be amazed by your limitless strength”—Beru to Sung Jin-Woo

To begin with, Jin-Woo instructs Beru to subdue Hae-In without causing her harm. The battle progresses favorably, with Beru showcasing their significant power disparity and holding back his strong urge to eliminate her. However, when Hae-In unexpectedly stabs Beru, a deep-rooted command from the Ant Queen resurfaces in Beru’s mind, contradicting Jin-Woo’s instructions. At that instant, Beru perceives Hae-In as an adversary and feels compelled to eliminate her.

Beru Remains Loyal to Jin-Woo

His Disobedience Is a Spur of the Moment

In the original story of “Solo Leveling: Ragnarok,” Beru stops defying Jin-Woo after their encounter with Hae-In, and this pattern continues throughout the narrative. This disobedience arises from Beru’s inherent nature as a weapon against hunters, a fact that Jin-Woo acknowledges and forgives due to his understanding of Beru’s nature. Moreover, Jin-Woo had cautioned Hae-In about Beru before the fight, suggesting he may have foreseen the conflict. However, the events in “Solo Leveling: Ragnarok” might take an unexpected turn in the future.

In the role of the latest soldier, Beru pleaded for Jin-Woo’s leniency to spare him following their battle. From that moment on, Beru’s allegiance towards Jin-Woo deepened significantly, as he was determined to exceed expectations in serving his leader. Anyone who dared to even brush against Jin-Woo would face Beru’s retaliation, a clear testament to his unwavering devotion to his ruler.

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2025-04-02 03:27