Article Summary
- Sung Jin-Woo’s ability to level up sets him apart as a unique hunter in the series.
- Jin-Ho is the first character to deduce Jin-Woo’s increasing strength and enhanced combat skills.
- Hwang Dong-Suk learns about Jin-Woo’s leveling ability shortly before his demise.
In the early chapters of Solo Leveling, Sung Jin-Woo must keep his extraordinary abilities hidden. His rare talent for leveling up poses significant risks; he is acutely aware of the dangers of drawing attention to himself. Interestingly, a relatively obscure character is privy to Jin-Woo’s leveling ability because Jin-Woo chose to disclose it to him directly.
Post the Jeju Island arc, several S-rank hunters, including an A-rank cameraman, become aware of Jin-Woo’s power to resurrect the dead. They witness the annihilation of ants at the hands of Jin-Woo’s shadow army, but their understanding of his leveling capability remains limited. Baek Yoon-Ho stands out among them, as he speculates that Jin-Woo might be growing stronger, defying the norm where most hunters are restricted to their fixed abilities.
It’s Not Kang Tae-Shik, the Assassin
He Is the Second Character to Know
- First Anime Appearance: Episode 3
- First Webtoon Appearance: Chapter 27
- Rank: B-Rank
- Affiliation: Korean Hunters Association
As Kang Tae-Shik faces his demise during the Dungeon and Prisoners Arc, he expresses curiosity about Jin-Woo’s true nature. He suspects that Jin-Woo might be an assassin with healing powers, to which Jin-Woo defensively admits he is still unsure of his hunter type. At this juncture, Jin-Woo’s skills reflect those of Kang Tae-Shik, leaving Tae-Shik even more bewildered.
Curiously, Kang Tae-Shik cautions Jin-Woo about the perils of keeping such powers concealed. This prompts Jin-Woo to assert, for the first time, that he continuously grows stronger through battle. His declaration leaves Tae-Shik confounded, as it’s a concept he had never encountered.
It’s Not Yoo Jin-Ho Either
He Initially Suspects Jin-Woo as a False Ranker
- First Anime Appearance: Episode 1
- First Webtoon Appearance: Chapter 18
- Rank: D-Rank
- Guild: Ahjin Guild
Throughout the series, despite their camaraderie, Jin-Woo and Jin-Ho never openly discuss Jin-Woo’s ability to level up. Although Jin-Ho can perceive Jin-Woo’s capacity to raise the dead, he remains oblivious to the intricacies of that capability. It is only during a fierce battle against the Giant Arachnid Buryura and Hwang Dong-Suk that Jin-Ho first suspects Jin-Woo’s rapid enhancement in strength.
Though Jin-Ho, as a D-rank hunter, possesses limited fighting experience, he notices substantial improvements in Jin-Woo’s speed and attack potency as their skirmish progresses. However, Jin-Woo’s secretiveness about his powers keeps Jin-Ho from probing too deeply; he harbors initial suspicions that Jin-Woo might be a false ranker with malevolent tendencies.
Who Is the First to Know About Jin-Woo’s Ability to Level Up?
He Is One of the Most Hated Characters
- First Anime Appearance: Episode 5
- First Webtoon Appearance: Chapter 18
- Rank: C-Rank
- Class: Tanker
The character who first learns of Jin-Woo’s leveling ability is Hwang Dong-Suk, whose relationship with his S-rank brother, Hwang Dong-Soo, complicates matters. In episode 6, “The Real Hunt Begins,”Jin-Woo reveals his constant progression before ultimately killing Dong-Suk, which serves as retribution for the betrayal he faced inside the C-rank dungeon.
Jin-Woo’s concern about revealing his capabilities is quite ironic; he wishes to avoid undue media attention due to the rarity of hunters like him. Yet, in a dramatic twist of fate, it is he who ultimately confides his secret to Dong-Suk at the moment of his demise.
This pattern seems to suggest that Jin-Woo has a penchant for revealing his exceptional abilities to characters fated to die, ensuring his secrets remain undisclosed as they pass away.
Who Is the First to Know About Jin-Woo’s Shadow Army?
During the Red Gate Arc, Jin-Woo makes a significant reveal about his shadow army to a group of hunters. He assures them of their safety provided they refrain from asking probing questions. After successfully clearing the Red Gate, Park Hee-Jin shares the events with Baek Yoon-Ho, sparking his suspicions regarding Jin-Woo’s extraordinary abilities.
As the narrative unfolds, Jin-Ho also comes face-to-face with Jin-Woo’s shadow army, solidifying their understanding of his powers. Despite Jin-Woo’s reserved nature, he occasionally finds joy in displaying the strength he has acquired, a stark contrast to his previously humble beginnings in Solo Leveling.