While the spotlight in Solo Leveling shines brightest on Sung Jin-Woo, the world around him is filled with formidable characters whose stories, powers, and roles shape the narrative in significant ways. Some are loyal allies, others are cunning enemies, and a few stand at the border between gods and monsters.
In this second part of our Solo Leveling character series, we’ll dive deeper into key supporting characters and later-appearing figures. From legendary shadows to Monarch lieutenants and forgotten warriors, here’s how each contributes to the lore and action of Solo Leveling.
Bellion – Grand Marshal of the Shadow Army
Original Identity: First shadow created by Ashborn
Role: Commander, Elite Shadow
Abilities:
Wields a segmented whip-sword
Leads all of Jin-Woo’s other shadows
Can battle Monarch-level enemies on equal terms
Bellion appears during the final arc as the Grand Marshal of the original Shadow Army. His loyalty to the Shadow Monarch transcends lifetimes, and upon meeting Jin-Woo, he instantly recognizes him as Ashborn’s successor. Bellion brings a sense of military order to Jin-Woo’s army and serves as a calm, powerful presence in contrast to Beru’s wild energy.
Greed – Shadow Soldier from the Red Gate
Original Form: Dungeon boss from a high-level ice dungeon
Role: Tank / Utility Shadow
Abilities:
Shield-based defense
Ice-element resistance
Crowd-control potential
Greed is one of Jin-Woo’s lesser-known but highly effective shadow soldiers. He doesn’t have the personality of Beru or Bellion but provides important balance in battles where elemental resistance and strong defense are required.
Iron – Former Hunter turned Shadow
Original Identity: Kim Chul (B-Rank tank from early arc)
Role: Shadow Tank
Abilities:
High defense and physical strength
Taunt ability to draw enemy aggro
Simple-minded but extremely loyal
Iron is unique among shadows in that his personality is comically exaggerated in shadow form. He becomes a hulking brute who charges into battle with gusto, often causing unintended destruction—but always in service of Jin-Woo.
Igrit – Evolution Beyond Igris
Many fans confuse Igrit and Igris, but in advanced chapters, some shadows begin to evolve. Igris, for instance, unlocks new armor and weapon techniques over time, and the manhwa hints at the possibility of further evolution for older elite shadows.
Kamish – The Legendary Dragon
Role: Antagonist from the past / Symbolic figure
Attributes:
Fire-based destruction
Monarch-class power
Killed millions in the US before being slain
Although Kamish does not appear alive in the main timeline, he is a legendary presence. The story of his death is what elevates Thomas Andre’s prestige and demonstrates how terrifying Monarchs and dragon-type creatures can be.
Antares – Monarch of Destruction
Title: King of Dragons
Role: Main antagonist (final arc)
Abilities:
Flame breath that destroys landscapes
Immense physical power
Monarch-level command of draconic beasts
Telepathic manipulation
Antares is the final boss of Solo Leveling in every sense. He’s not just strong—he represents chaos and annihilation itself, and his confrontation with Jin-Woo is the ultimate test of the Shadow Monarch’s full potential. His intelligence makes him more dangerous than the Beast or Frost Monarchs, and he attempts to psychologically break Jin-Woo before fighting.
The Architect – Creator of the System
Role: AI-like force behind Jin-Woo’s power
Attributes:
Created the System with Ashborn
Designed quests, penalties, and level-ups
Acts as a guide until betraying Jin-Woo
The Architect is not a character in the traditional sense but plays a critical role in the early story. His design is inspired by ancient statues, and his betrayal is the moment when Jin-Woo fully assumes control over his own evolution.
Rulers – Collective Beings of Order
The Rulers are celestial beings who oppose the Monarchs. They cannot act directly in the physical world unless through vessels.
Key Vessels include:
Sung Il-Hwan (Jin-Woo’s father)
Thomas Andre
Other unnamed national-level hunters
Their ability, Ruler’s Authority, is akin to telekinesis and pressure-based manipulation. Though powerful, they ultimately entrust Jin-Woo with the task of ending the war.
Monarch Subordinates and Soldiers
Each Monarch commands their own legions. These characters are not always named but serve as high-ranking enforcers during the Monarch wars.
Examples include:
Baran’s Generals, lightning-based warriors
Dragonkin, who follow Antares
Frost Trolls, summoned by the Frost Monarch
Though these characters are minor, they show the scale of interdimensional warfare and how Monarchs differ in style and strategy.
Sung Jin-Ah – Jin-Woo’s Younger Sister
Role: Civilian
Attributes:
Intelligent and cheerful
Symbol of Jin-Woo’s humanity
Unaware of the full extent of his powers
Jin-Ah represents the world Jin-Woo is fighting to protect. While she never awakens powers or fights, her scenes are essential for grounding the story emotionally.
Yoo Jin-Ho – Jin-Woo’s Loyal Friend
Rank: C-Rank (but non-combat focused)
Role: Manager, Guild Vice President
Abilities:
Rich family background
Financial and logistic support
Comic relief and emotional anchor
Yoo Jin-Ho starts as a naive, optimistic hunter but quickly proves his loyalty. Jin-Woo trusts him enough to make him co-founder of the Ahjin Guild. His consistent moral compass and bravery (despite being much weaker than others) make him one of the most beloved side characters.
The Ahjin Guild – Jin-Woo’s Private Army
After becoming Korea’s top hunter, Jin-Woo creates his own guild:
Jin-Woo (Guild Master)
Yoo Jin-Ho (Vice Master)
Minimal members (mostly shadows)
This structure reflects his desire for independence. Unlike massive guilds that function as corporations, Ahjin exists solely for Jin-Woo’s convenience—and to avoid being bound by national politics.
Final Thoughts – Beyond Power Levels
While Solo Leveling is known for its thrilling combat and overpowered protagonist, it’s the cast of characters—each with their own motivations, fears, and loyalties—that give the story depth.
From shadows that evolve to Monarchs that embody destruction, every character plays a part in shaping Jin-Woo’s journey. Understanding who they are, what they stand for, and how they fight adds a new layer to every panel, every battle, and every sacrifice.
This second part in our character guide series offers just a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Solo Leveling‘s universe. As the franchise continues to grow globally, more stories, spinoffs, and adaptations may expand on these characters—and introduce even more.