Ashborn’s Backstory Revealed: The Origins of the Shadow Monarch

Powerful figures have been steadily introduced in Solo Leveling Season 2, but the true extent of the Monarchs’ and Rulers’ might remains unseen. Ashborn, one of these Monarchs, is the source of Sung Jinwoo’s extraordinary abilities.

Among the various ruthless and power-driven Monarchs in the series, Ashborn stands apart. Known as the Shadow Monarch, his presence has yet to grace the screen for anime-only viewers, but those familiar with the Manhwa understand his importance.

His unmatched strength makes him the most formidable among the Monarchs, but what truly sets him apart is the depth of his history.

Jinwoo’s Transformation and the Question of Humanity

Jinwoo’s rapid growth as a hunter raises concerns about whether he might lose his humanity along the way. However, there are clear reasons why that won’t happen.

Ashborn: The First Shadow Monarch in Solo Leveling

Ashborn is a figure both Monarchs and Rulers feared. Ashborn did not always stand at the pinnacle of power. Initially, he was one of the Rulers, locked in an unending battle against the Monarchs. For eons, the war raged under the command of the Absolute Being, a divine entity in Solo Leveling.

Though the Rulers fought relentlessly, they eventually realized their struggle was nothing more than a form of entertainment orchestrated by the Absolute Being. Determined to break free from their imposed fate, the Rulers decided to rebel. Ashborn, however, refused to betray his God and remained loyal.

This choice led to his downfall, as his former allies overpowered him. Just as he was on the verge of death, he discovered that the Absolute Being had concealed an overwhelming, monstrous power within him. In a sense, his unwavering faith had earned him a reward.

Upon awakening this newfound strength, Ashborn became the Shadow Monarch and immediately sought to save his God, but it was too late—the Rulers had already succeeded in their rebellion, slaying the Absolute Being and imprisoning Legia, the Monarch of the Beginning.

“I am the record of your bitter struggle. I am the evidence of your resistance. I am the reward of your pain. I am death, I am eternal rest, and I am also terror. I am you.” – Ashborn to Jinwoo

With the Absolute Being gone, the war that had persisted for ages seemed poised to reach its end. Ashborn, unwilling to let that happen, chose to support the Monarchs, ensuring that conflict would continue as his God had intended.

Over time, his overwhelming power made him a threat not only to the Rulers but also to the Monarchs themselves. Out of fear and jealousy, two of them—Rakan and Baran—turned against him. Their betrayal was in vain, as Ashborn emerged victorious, with Baran losing his life in the battle.

Recognizing their mistake, the Rulers attempted to reconcile with Ashborn, inviting him to rejoin their ranks. Having been betrayed by both sides, he found himself without a cause and chose to disappear. With his absence, the Monarchs were left vulnerable, leading to their eventual defeat at the hands of the Rulers.

During this time, Ashborn continued strengthening his Shadow Army in secrecy. Years later, he approached Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, and aligned himself with the Monarchs once more. However, his reasons for doing so were not to wage war against the Rulers but to observe and restrain the Monarchs from within.

Ashborn’s Decision to Enter the Human World

Seeking a Successor: Sung Jinwoo

Following his withdrawal from the war, Ashborn witnessed Antares devising a plan to invade Earth and use humanity as a means to expand his army. To counteract this, the Rulers took action, granting extraordinary abilities to humans they deemed worthy, creating Hunters in the process.

Recognizing an opportunity, Ashborn sought a way to find a suitable human to inherit his power. To accomplish this, he enlisted the help of Kandiaru, a powerful mage, instructing him to locate an appropriate vessel.

In exchange for immortality, Kandiaru agreed and devised The System, a mechanism designed to test potential candidates. Despite evaluating numerous individuals over the years, only one was able to meet the Monarch’s expectations—Jinwoo.

Jinwoo’s Encounter with Kargalgan and the Arrival of Tusk

During the Hunters Guild Arc, Jinwoo faced Kargalgan, the leader of the High Orcs. This battle led to the recruitment of Tusk into the ever-expanding Shadow Army.

Ashborn’s True Intentions for Jinwoo

At first, it seemed as though Ashborn intended to take control of Jinwoo’s body upon the young hunter reaching Level 100. However, this was a deception. His actual goal was to pass down all of his power, making Jinwoo his successor.

While Jinwoo had been utilizing abilities granted through The System, it was during the Monarch War arc that Ashborn saw the full extent of his potential. As a result, he bestowed upon him the Black Heart. During a near-fatal confrontation with the Frost and Beast Monarchs, Jinwoo found himself on the brink of death.

In this moment, Ashborn created an illusion, appearing before him in the form of Go Gunhee. Jinwoo, sensing the deception, challenged the illusion, demanding to see the true figure behind it. This led to Ashborn revealing his identity and explaining everything to Jinwoo, before granting him full control over the power of the Shadow Monarch.

The Absolute Being had once chosen Ashborn as the Shadow Monarch, and now, Ashborn had found his worthy successor in Jinwoo. What convinced him was Jinwoo’s unwavering determination to protect his loved ones – an unrelenting drive that reminded Ashborn of himself.

“You are asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking me who I am, rather you should be asking who you are.” The Architect to Jinwoo. While this transition was taking place, the Rulers dispatched their warrior, Sung Il-Hwan, to eliminate the new Shadow Monarch.

Since Ashborn had never formally accepted their offer to reconcile, they assumed he remained an enemy. However, once Jinwoo defeated one of the Monarchs, the Rulers realized that he was not their adversary.

With his newfound strength, Jinwoo carried forward Ashborn’s legacy, eliminating the Monarchs one by one to safeguard those unable to defend themselves.