If you’re new to Solo Leveling—whether you’re watching the anime, reading the webtoon, or diving into the light novel—you’ve likely come across one of its core elements: the hunter ranking system. In this universe, supernatural gates have opened, connecting the real world to dangerous dungeons filled with monsters. To protect humanity, some individuals awaken as “hunters,” gaining magical powers and combat abilities.
But not all hunters are created equal.
This guide breaks down Solo Leveling’s unique power system, including what hunters are, how ranks work, the role of guilds, and the mysterious “System” that turns Sung Jin-Woo into the world’s most powerful being. Whether you’re curious about the lore or just want to understand the mechanics behind Jin-Woo’s evolution, this is your complete breakdown.
What Are Hunters in Solo Leveling?
In Solo Leveling, hunters are humans who have awakened supernatural abilities following the appearance of “gates.” Gates are portals that connect Earth to other dimensions filled with monsters, and they pose an existential threat if left unchecked.
When a gate opens, a team of hunters is assigned to clear the dungeon and kill the boss monster inside. If the boss isn’t defeated within a set time, the monsters will flood out into the real world—a catastrophe known as a “dungeon break.”
Hunters are essentially professional dungeon raiders, ranked and managed by national Hunter Associations. They can be combat-oriented (melee, magic, ranged) or support-type (healers, buffers, etc.).
The Hunter Ranking System: From E-Rank to S-Rank
All hunters are assigned a rank upon awakening. This rank determines their power level, job eligibility, and the types of dungeons they are allowed to enter.
Here’s a breakdown of the ranks:
| Rank | Description | Approximate % of Hunters |
|---|---|---|
| E-Rank | Lowest rank, barely above human | 40%+ |
| D-Rank | Slightly stronger than E, still weak | 25% |
| C-Rank | Average hunter, can work in small parties | 20% |
| B-Rank | Considered elite in smaller guilds | 10% |
| A-Rank | Highly valuable, powerful | 4–5% |
| S-Rank | Ultra-rare, nation-level power | Less than 0.01% |
Most hunters never increase in rank once awakened. Their power is considered static—meaning, once you’re E-Rank, you’re stuck there for life.
Sung Jin-Woo, the protagonist, is the exception to this rule.
What Is the “System” and Why Is Jin-Woo Special?
Unlike other hunters, Sung Jin-Woo awakens as an E-Rank, often called the “World’s Weakest Hunter.” He barely survives the lowest-level dungeons and takes on dangerous tasks just to pay his mother’s hospital bills.
However, during a Double Dungeon incident, he dies—and comes back to life bound to something called “The System.”
The System is a game-like power interface that lets him:
Gain experience (XP) from killing monsters
Level up his stats (Strength, Agility, Intelligence, etc.)
Unlock skills, weapons, and quests
Store inventory items and potions
Revive himself temporarily with penalties
This makes Jin-Woo the only known “player” in the world, giving him the ability to grow stronger indefinitely, while others are locked into their original ranks.
Classes and Special Abilities
Although the world doesn’t use MMORPG-style class names, hunters generally fall into roles:
Tank: High defense, draws enemy aggro (e.g., steel armor, shields)
DPS (Damage Dealers): Melee or magic attackers (e.g., swordsmen, mages)
Support: Healers or buffers who protect the team
Jin-Woo eventually becomes a Shadow Monarch, a unique class granted through the System. His main ability is Shadow Extraction, which allows him to:
Turn dead enemies into shadow soldiers
Build an undead army loyal to him
Use shadows to teleport, protect, and scout
Other hunters have unique skills too, such as:
Flame manipulation
Water-based magic
Earthquake spells
Healing or speed buffs
The stronger the hunter, the more unique and destructive their abilities.
Dungeons and Gates: How the World Works
Gates appear randomly across the globe, ranked from E to S. The dungeon inside generally matches the rank of the gate.
Key mechanics:
A team of hunters enters the gate to “clear” the dungeon
Time passes differently inside (a few hours inside can be a few minutes outside)
Once the dungeon boss is defeated, the gate collapses
If not cleared, a dungeon break unleashes monsters on the world
Only hunters above the dungeon’s rank are allowed to enter. That’s why low-ranked hunters like Jin-Woo are often forced into dangerous situations—they get sent into low-tier dungeons that can still turn deadly.
Guilds and the Power Economy
Hunters are often recruited into guilds, which are like private companies or elite teams. Guilds:
Secure dungeon permits from the government
Split loot from dungeons (magical crystals, artifacts)
Offer protection and resources to their members
There are national guilds, private guilds, and freelancers (solo hunters). The more powerful a hunter, the more lucrative their career. Some A- and S-Rank hunters make millions by selling loot or leasing their power to countries in need.
Jin-Woo eventually creates his own guild—Ahjin Guild—but chooses to keep it small and low-profile.
Monarchs, Rulers, and the Hidden Power Structure
As Jin-Woo levels up, the story introduces deeper layers to the world’s power system. This includes:
The Monarchs: Beings of destruction from a higher dimension
The Rulers: Their opposites, beings of order and light
Earth becomes their battleground, with powerful hunters becoming vessels or inheritors of their powers
Jin-Woo’s evolution from E-Rank to Shadow Monarch is directly tied to this cosmic conflict. While regular hunters are bound to the surface-level system, Jin-Woo’s abilities reach far beyond what even S-Rank hunters can comprehend.
Key Takeaways: Understanding the Power System at a Glance
Hunters are awakened humans who fight dungeon monsters.
Ranks (E to S) determine a hunter’s base power level—static for everyone except Jin-Woo.
Dungeons appear via magical gates and must be cleared to prevent destruction.
Jin-Woo is a unique exception, gaining power through the mysterious “System.”
The story evolves from a dungeon RPG to an interdimensional war involving Monarchs and Rulers.
Whether you’re just starting the anime or deep into the webtoon or light novel, understanding how the hunter system, dungeon mechanics, and class hierarchy work will enrich your appreciation of Solo Leveling‘s worldbuilding—and Jin-Woo’s epic journey from weakest to god-tier.
If you’re wondering why he alone continues to level up, it’s not just luck—it’s the System, and it’s rewriting the rules of the world.