The story of Solo Leveling reaches its conclusion with revelations that reshape everything readers thought they knew. The anime adaptation’s overwhelming success is a testament to the series’ ability to engage audiences with its straightforward yet immersive storyline.
As the final chapters continue, the direction the story takes surprises many fans, leading to a mix of reactions, including shock and dissatisfaction. Jinwoo uncovers the origins of the magic beasts and gates that appeared on Earth, learning about the existence of two powerful factions—Rulers and Monarchs.
The final battle begins as Jinwoo takes on the Monarch of Destruction (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)The Monarchs, beings of pure destruction, plan to annihilate the planet. His battle against them nearly costs him his life, but after inheriting the Shadow Monarch’s full power, Jinwoo makes it his mission to eliminate these enemies.
The ultimate confrontation awaits him against Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, who commands an overwhelming force of ten million dragons.
Jinwoo Discovers the Origins of His Powers and the True Conflict
Antares and the remaining Monarchs fall to Jinwoo and the Rulers, but the devastation left in their wake is unbearable. Refusing to accept the loss of so many lives, Jinwoo turns to the Cup of Reincarnation, an artifact capable of rewinding time.
By using it, he resets the timeline to an era before the gates appeared while continuing his battle against the Monarchs in an alternate dimension. Although the world remains oblivious to his sacrifice, Jinwoo ensures its safety by erasing the catastrophic events from existence.
As the final pieces of the story fall into place, Jinwoo learns that Earth was chosen as the battleground for an ancient war between the Rulers and the Monarchs. These opposing forces, created from light and darkness, were originally servants of an entity known as the Absolute Being.
Since the dawn of time, they have been locked in conflict, shaping the fate of countless worlds.
The Betrayal That Led to the Shadow Monarch’s Emergence
Jinwoo’s transformation begins as he realizes how deeply rooted the war between the Rulers and the Monarchs truly is. The Rulers, once loyal to the Absolute Being, turned against their creator upon discovering that the war had persisted solely for its amusement.
Seven of the eight Rulers chose rebellion, successfully overthrowing the Absolute Being. However, Ashborn, the lone Ruler who remained faithful, was overpowered and defeated. In the course of this betrayal, he unlocked a hidden power within himself, becoming the Shadow Monarch.
The inevitable clash between these two factions on Earth spelled doom for humanity. To prevent this catastrophe, the Rulers employed the Cup of Reincarnation, rewinding time in a desperate attempt to alter fate. Despite their efforts, every attempt ended in humanity’s extinction.
Their final decision was to turn back time once more, setting the stage ten years before the present storyline. This time, they introduced mana to Earth by opening gates, inadvertently leading to the rise of hunters who could stand against the impending threat.
Jinwoo soon discovers that his unique ability to level up was not a mere coincidence. He had been deliberately chosen by Ashborn to inherit his legacy. The Double Dungeon served as a final test, where Ashborn, rather than taking over Jinwoo’s body as a vessel, instead passed on his powers, officially naming him the new Shadow Monarch.
Once Ashborn saw the true nature of the Rulers after they slew the Absolute Being, he initially allied himself with the Monarchs to maintain a balance of power. However, his ultimate goal was to end the war by eradicating the Monarchs.
Betrayed by two of his supposed allies, Ashborn refused to reconcile with the Rulers despite their plea for his forgiveness. Jinwoo comes to terms with his new identity, realizing that the Monarchs exist solely to bring death and destruction.
Resolving to stop them once and for all, he gathers the Shadow Monarch’s army and prepares for his final confrontation with Antares, the Monarch of Destruction—also known as the King of Dragons and the strongest of all Monarchs.
Jinwoo Faces Antares in a Battle That Determines the Fate of the World
The long-awaited battle between Jinwoo and Antares erupts as the Monarch of Destruction devastates Canada with his army while awaiting Jinwoo’s arrival. Confronting his opponent, Jinwoo calls back his shadow soldiers and unleashes Dragon’s Fear—a skill inherited from Kamish’s runestone—momentarily incapacitating Antares’ troops.
Seizing the moment, Jinwoo teleports both himself and Antares to a remote island using Shadow Exchange, ensuring their battle does not further endanger humanity. On this isolated battlefield, the fight intensifies. Antares attempts to deceive Jinwoo, offering a supposed truce in which they would join forces against the Rulers.
Jinwoo sees through the deception, sensing the bloodlust hidden behind Antares’ words. Using his father’s blade, Jinwoo delivers a decisive strike, cleaving Antares in half. As the Monarch of Destruction falls, the sky fractures, revealing the arrival of the Rulers’ army.
Only then does Antares realize that Jinwoo had orchestrated this outcome, leveraging their battle to distort space and summon the Rulers. The Rulers waste no time in eliminating Antares, while Jinwoo cryptically states they will meet again—an indication that his plans are far from over.
Jinwoo Uses the Cup of Reincarnation to Restore the World
Grateful for his assistance, the Rulers grant Jinwoo a final request—the use of the Cup of Reincarnation one last time. Overwhelmed by the countless losses he has endured, Jinwoo chooses to rewind time, ensuring that those he cherished, including Go Gunhee and his father, never have to suffer.
This decision is not just about personal loss but extends to the millions of lives lost since the emergence of the gates. The Rulers warn Jinwoo of the risks—the Monarchs will be revived with their memories intact, and the Cup cannot be used again should he fail.
From chosen vessel to ultimate warrior, Jinwoo embraces his destiny (Photo: Solo Leveling/Lucasfilm Ltd)Despite this, he remains resolute, and the timeline resets. Jinwoo returns to his younger self’s body, briefly enjoying a normal life as a student before heading into the dimensional gap to eliminate the Monarchs. Over 27 years, he eradicates each of them, leaving Antares for last.
The consequences of this time reset are not without loss. Two of Jinwoo’s shadows, Iron and Greed, cease to exist, as they were tied to the erased timeline. With the Monarchs vanquished, the crisis on Earth is resolved without anyone ever realizing it had existed. The planet is restored to a peaceful state, free from gates, magic beasts, and hunters.
As reality moves forward, two years pass before Jinwoo returns, quietly reintegrating into everyday life. He subtly alters his appearance over time, giving the illusion of aging. As he steps back into his former life, he reconnects with familiar faces—Go Gunhee, Jinho, Juhee, Jinchul, and, in a special way, Cha Hae-in.
Many who once lived as hunters now live fulfilling lives, spared from the fate they once faced. Only the vessels of the Rulers retain knowledge of Jinwoo’s immense sacrifice. While some fans were left wanting more from Antares’ final battle, Solo Leveling brings its story to a fulfilling close.
Though Jinwoo’s war in the dimensional gap is left largely unexplored, the story neatly ties up all its loose ends. If anything, the anime adaptation holds the potential to enhance these moments, giving fans a more detailed look at the unseen battles.
What Awaits in Solo Leveling: Ragnarök?
The sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarök, made its webtoon debut in August 2024, though an official English release has yet to be announced. Based on the novel by Daul, the sequel continues under the creative direction of Redice Studio, maintaining the same high-quality artwork that defined the original series.
Shifting focus from Jinwoo, Ragnarök follows his son, Sung Suho, first introduced in the epilogue. Taking place three years after the original story’s final words, the sequel begins as Suho finishes high school.
His journey truly begins when he unintentionally breaks the seal Jinwoo had placed on his powers during childhood. Both Cha Hae-in and Jinwoo are absent from his life, with Jinwoo preoccupied by a greater cosmic threat.
Ragnarök introduces a new force of antagonists known as the Absolute Beings, or Itarim. With the original creator of their universe gone, they seek to invade and claim the Shadow Monarch’s power for themselves. Jinwoo battles them in space, while on Earth, Suho is guided by Beru as he faces the Itarim’s Apostles and searches for his missing mother.
With gates reopening and hunters returning, Suho embarks on a path reminiscent of his father’s, yet distinct in its own right. The sequel retains the original’s RPG mechanics while shaping Suho into a unique protagonist with his abilities and challenges.
Though still in its early stages, Solo Leveling: Ragnarök offers an exciting new chapter, promising fresh battles and a new hero to follow.