This post contains spoilers for Solo Leveling.
Solo Leveling is one of the few series that is packed with multiple high-octane fights. In fact, the combat is the main selling point of the anime, which is understandable as there are a ton of powerful characters.
Sung Jinwoo is the main lead of the anime and naturally, among the most powerful individuals. In the two seasons, fans have watched Sung Jinwoo grow from a feeble E-rank Hunter into a charismatic S-rank. Jinwoo underwent many harsh battles in Solo Leveling Season 2, but he still has a great deal of potential to fulfill, and that will happen in the third season.
Solo Leveling Season 3 will adapt the Double Dungeon Arc, which means that Sung Jinwoo will meet the Architect. Kandiaru, better known as the Architect, is the one responsible for designing the System. Kandiaru knows everything about the System including why Sung Jinwoo was chosen among all others. After Jinwoo reaches level 100, he is invited to the Cartenon Temple by the Architect. Jinwoo doesn’t go to the location immediately but eventually decides to make his way to the Temple.
Upon reaching the destination, the Architect immediately puts the hero through a test, and to pass, he has to defeat all the statues. As expected, Jinwoo managed to beat them in next to no time. Kandiaru was impressed and then set up another challenge. This time, Jinwoo had to beat the Architect in 10 minutes; otherwise, he would die. Initially, Kandiaru dominated the fight, leaving Sung Jinwoo with almost no time to breathe. However, the latter somehow managed to turn the tide in his favor and bested Kandiaru.
Once the Architect is beaten, he puts Jinwoo in a trance-like state. He realizes that it is time for the Shadow Monarch to be reborn in Jinwoo’s body. While Jinwoo is still in a suspended state, some Korean Hunters enter the Cartenon Temple. The Architect is shocked and impressed at the same time, so he decides to offer them as sacrifices to the Shadow Monarch. The Hunters struggle to fight against the statues, so they decide to wake up Jinwoo. Unfortunately, their efforts seem to be in vain, as Jinwoo doesn’t come to his senses. Everything points to another massacre, but Jinwoo wakes up and attacks Kandiaru, leaving the villain flummoxed.
After being hit, the Architect begins to wonder how Jinwoo is able to return to his senses. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the Shadow Monarch had betrayed him and given the hero the Black Heart. The Architect flies into a rage and decides to rob Jinwoo of his powers. Unfortunately for him, the Shadow Monarch is two steps ahead. He has already locked Kandiaru out of the System. The Architect realizes that there is nothing else that he can do. He starts screaming and is ultimately beaten again by Jinwoo.
I Am Saying You Should Get Ready To Become Hunted. —Sung Jinwoo
Fans might be wondering about the significance of the Black Heart. Basically, it’s a powerful object that significantly boosts Jinwoo’s magical power, allowing him to use Shadows for a much longer period of time. It also symbolizes that Jinwoo is indeed the Shadow Monarch.
After gaining the Black Heart, Jinwoo will be better equipped to deal with the threat of the Monarchs, who are among the strongest characters in Solo Leveling. Fans have already seen two of them in Season 2, so it’s quite obvious that they will appear more frequently in the upcoming seasons. Solo Leveling Season 3 will put the spotlight on other characters like Cha Hae-in and Yoo Jinho. The former has strong feelings towards Jinwoo. In fact, it was quite visible in the second season. Cha Hae-in and Sung Jinwoo will get to share a few moments in Season 3.
2024 – 2025
Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV
Genta Nakamura
Yoo Jin-ho
