Summary

Sung Jin-Woo becomes the strongest hunter after inheriting the Shadow Monarch's powers, posing a threat to the Monarchs.
The Frost Monarch led the attack against Jin-Woo, while the Beast Monarch fears him the most, fleeing in terror.
The Monarch of the Fangs, Rakan, is the one who fears Sung Jin-Woo the most, showing immense fear and eventually begging for forgiveness.

In the world of Solo Leveling, there exist superior beings known as Monarchs, aiming to defeat the Rulers and destroy the world. They made their presence known in Solo Leveling season 2 shortly after the conclusion of the Jeju Island story arc. From their intimidating looks and revolting aura, it’s easy to assume they possess extraordinary abilities far greater than those of an S-rank hunter. Yet even so, one of them fears Sung Jin-Woo the most.

Based on the succeeding events in the webtoon, the Monarchs are set to take center stage in the upcoming Solo Leveling season 3. While Sung Jin-Woo stays booked and busy raiding dungeons and uncovering the truth behind his power, the Monarchs work in the shadows, cautiously building their plan to conquer the world. So far, three of the Monarchs are already identified and fans expect even more of their kind to appear in the sequel.

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By Cathlyn Melo

This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling manhwa.

Sung Jin-Woo's Threat to the Monarchs

The Result of the Shadow Monarch’s Betrayal

In the beginning, Sung Jin-Woo posed little to no threat to the Monarchs due to his weak mana output and overall combat ability. However, things drastically change after he uses Kandiaru’s system to his advantage, acquiring power far greater than any other hunter could ever hold at their disposal. Inevitably, Jin-Woo grows to become the strongest hunter in the world, boasting a formidable army of shadows under his direct command.

As the Monarchs ascend to the human world by taking over their vessels one after another, they expect to get in contact with the Shadow Monarch to discuss their plans against their archenemies. Unfortunately, the Shadow Monarch betrays the rest of the Monarchs, setting a serious conflict into motion. As it turns out, the Shadow Monarch chooses to transfer his full powers to a mere human like Sung Jin-Woo, ultimately making him his successor.

"The system uses me and I use the system." —Sung Jin-Woo

Naturally, the rest of the Monarchs feel threatened by Jin-Woo's existence. So, before Jin-Woo can fully absorb Ashborn’s full power, the Frost Monarch Sillad, along with the Beast Monarch Rakan and the Plague Monarch Querehsha, team up to kill the incomplete Monarch as soon as possible. If they fail to kill Jin-Woo in his incomplete form, they know that they will have no chance against him as the Shadow Monarch.

Which Monarch Feared Sung Jin-Woo the Most?

It’s Not the Monarch of the White Flames

baran solo leveling monarch fear jin woo most — baran solo leveling

The Monarch of the White Flames, Baran, made his anime debut in Solo Leveling season 2, episode 8, “Looking Up Was Tiring Me Out,” but not in his original form. In the demon castle, Jin-Woo only fought and defeated Baran’s clone. During their fight, it’s clear that Baran holds no fear of Jin-Woo as he fights him toe-to-toe while wielding the Demon King's Longsword.

However, eons ago, Baran was one of the two monarchs who feared the original Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, because of the overwhelming power he held. Despite fighting on the same side, Baran betrays Ashborn only to be defeated in the end.

“I am the record of your struggles, the evidence of your resistance, and the reward of your sufferings. I am Death, I am Eternal Rest, I am Terror.” —Ashborn, Shadow Monarch

It’s Not the Monarch of the Frost Either

Clearly, the Frost Monarch shows no fear when it comes to facing Jin-Woo in a fight, even after the incomplete monarch inherits the full power of the Shadow Monarch. Despite knowing the huge difference in their power, Sillad continues his plan to eliminate him. In fact, Sillad was the mastermind behind the Seoul invasion, aiming to finish off Jin-Woo before he becomes a real threat to their plans. In addition, he was also responsible for some of the killings behind the vessels of the Rulers, including Go Gun-Hee's sudden demise.

It’s Rakan, the Monarch of the Fangs

rakan solo leveling monarch fear jin woo the most — rakan solo leveling

The Monarch of the Fangs, otherwise known as the Beast Monarch, fears Sung Jin-Woo both intellectually and instinctively. At first, he feels confident in attacking Jin-Woo, knowing that he’s still an incomplete Monarch, but shortly after he inherits Ashborn’s full power, he immediately drops out of the fight, fleeing to a place he believes Jin-Woo cannot follow.

Too bad, he’s unfortunately wrong to think that Jin-Woo will let him leave the battlefield unscathed. True enough, Jin-Woo follows him behind, terrifying him to the point where he falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness, fully aware he stands no chance of winning against him. Still, Rakan deserves props for standing against Jin-Woo at the very last moment.

“If you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you! ” —Sung Jin-Woo

This is the second time Rakan feels immense fear over the Shadow Monarch’s strength in Solo Leveling. He was one of the two monarchs who betrayed Ashborn eons ago because of the Shadow Monarch's overwhelming abilities. But no matter how hard he tries to escape and fight his fear, he always loses in the end. Who knows, maybe Rakan or his successor could have a chance at redemption in the future if Jin-Woo were to fall in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok.

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