Summary

Sung Jin-Woo's intense clash against Baruka showcases a formidable opponent stronger than himself.
Jin-Woo's failed attempt to extract Baruka's shadow highlights his frustration and desire for more power.
If Jin-Woo had successfully extracted Baruka, he could have been a force of nature in Solo Leveling.

Sung Jin-Woo's story in Solo Leveling is far from over, despite the conclusion of the Jeju Island arc in the second season. As fans await news of Solo Leveling season 3, it’s time to look back at the major events of the first two seasons that challenged Jin-Woo's strength. In particular, the Red Gate incident showcases Jin-Woo's clash with a character he shockingly admits is stronger than himself.

The Red Gate incident, or the Red Gate story arc, happens in episodes 1-2 of Solo Leveling season 2 and covers chapters 46 to 55 in the webtoon. This is when Jin-Woo finds himself stranded inside the Red Gate with the White Tiger Guild’s new recruits and E-rank hunter Han Song-Yi. Inside the gate, Jin-Woo encounters not only the ice bears and their alpha, but also the ice elves led by the menacing Baruka.

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By Cathlyn Melo

Sung Jin-Woo Fights the Leader of the Ice Elves

Enter Baruka, the S-Rank Snowfolk

During the Red Gate story arc, Sung Jin-Woo carries the weaker recruits out of the gate with his newfound abilities. Their survival solely relies on Jin-Woo's strength, as their abilities pale in comparison to the ice bears, the ice elves, and even the promising A-rank hunter, Kim Chul. Without Jin-Woo, they would have easily become food for the magical beasts, unable to leave unscathed.

At some point in the raid, Jin-Woo encounters the alpha of the ice bears and turns him into one of his shadows, Tank. In a sudden turn of events, Jin-Woo also faces an angry Kim Chul, killing him without hesitation and turning him into his shadow, Iron. They became instrumental in Jin-Woo's intense clash against Baruka, the leader of the ice elves, who overwhelms the hunter with his strength, resistance, speed, and dagger mastery.

"Stop getting distracted! Do you think this lone soldier is enough to stop me?"—Baruka

Unlike other magical beasts Jin-Woo has faced before, Baruka possesses intelligence of a higher tier. He can communicate with Jin-Woo through monster tongue, convincing him to accept his offer to surrender humans in exchange for his life. Baruka also reveals that magical beasts hear an unusual voice inside their heads that encourages them to kill and hunt humans.

Naturally, Jin-Woo refuses Baruka's offer and proceeds to fight him using all the skills and abilities at his disposal. He summons his shadow soldiers, including Igris and Tank, but nothing seems to make a significant dent in Baruka. However, Jin-Woo turns the fight around when he summons Kim Chul’s shadow to help put an end to Baruka’s life. Contrary to Jin-Woo's expectations, the fight with Baruka lasts longer and proves more difficult than anticipated because he barely wins. If it weren’t for Kim Chul’s shadow, there’s no telling what Jin-Woo would have done to survive or what the system might have had to pull to ensure his survival.

Jin-Woo Thinks Baruka Is Stronger Than Him

Jin-Woo's Failed Attempt to Extract Baruka’s Shadow

solo leveling baruka stronger than jin woo — solo leveling baruka and jin woo

By the end of the Red Gate story arc, Jin-Woo thinks that Baruka is stronger than him, fueling his desire to reach more levels and obtain more power as the series progresses. The main reason why Jin-Woo feels this way is his failure to successfully use the shadow extraction skill on Baruka’s deceased body. This is why Park Hee-Jin describes a frustrated Jin-Woo to Baek Yoon-Ho when she exits out of the gate.

On the drive home, Sung Jin-Woo ponders the possible reasons why his shadow extraction skill did not work on Baruka. Clearly, it's not because of the length of time that has passed since Baruka’s demise, so Jin-Woo can only think of one thing: Baruka is simply stronger than him, probably on a considerably higher level. What’s more, he also considers himself lucky to have won against a powerful opponent like Baruka.

"Hm… was it due to our difference in strength? What a waste."—Jin-Woo on extracting Baruka

Jin-Woo's failure to extract Baruka is perhaps one of the creator’s ways to nerf Jin-Woo in Solo Leveling. If he could raise anyone with his shadow extraction skill, he could easily become a force of nature with his powerful shadow soldiers. Had he been successful in extracting Baruka, he could have used him at the Demon Castle to lead one team of his shadow army, alongside Igris and the others. Of course, right now, at his level, Sung Jin-Woo can easily defeat Baruka in Solo Leveling.

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