This article contains spoilers from the Solo Leveling Manhwa
Summary
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Solo Leveling’s long-awaited Jeju Island Arc is finally in motion. South Korean and Japanese Hunters have joined forces to end the threat of the monstrous ants residing on Jeju Island. The Japanese Hunters acted as decoys while the Korean Hunters aimed straight towards the Queen Ant. Everything seemed to be sailing smoothly until a mysterious and intimidating foe appeared!
The Raid party was seemingly getting closer to success, but things took a turn with the appearance of a black ant. With Jin-Woo sitting out of the raid, what influence will this creature have on the battle? IsSolo Leveling’s newest addition, the strongest magical beast we have seen yet?
The Black Ant, Explained
What is the Black Ant?
Though immensely strong, the monstrous ants were struggling to survive. They hadalready cleared out the islandand the lack of food started turning them into cannibals. The Ant Queen realized this and wished to leave the island soon, but in order to do so, they needed something strong that could lead them to dominate other kingdoms.
At this precise moment, an egg hatches, and the Black Ant is born. The Black Ant has a humanoid appearance. Its body is covered in black exoskeleton, making it very sturdy and durable. The Black Ant’s immense strength is already suggested in Season 2, Episode 10, when it fires a strong purple beam into the sky.
There is not enough food here for my subjects to feed on.
This won’t do. We must leave this island.
I need stronger offspring…
A child more powerful than any other, capable of leading our kingdom.
- Ant Queen, Season 2, Episode 10
How Strong is the Black Ant?
The Black Ant isthe strongest magical beastthat has appeared in the anime so far. Upon its first appearance during the raid, it easily wiped out 3 S-Rank Japanese Hunters in an instant. When it returned to the nest, it found the Ant Queen dead, which led it on a streak of rage. It not only single-handedly defeated the party of South Korean hunters but also killed Min Byung-Gyu and severely injured Cha Hae-In.
When Jin-Woo arrived and fought the Black Ant, he acknowledged its strength. He compared it to being as strong as Baran or even stronger.
What was the Black Ant’s Objective?
The Black Ant was born with the objective of strengthening its species by hunting down humans. But when the Ant Queen died, it immediately took a path of vengeance. To avenge the Queen’s death, it started to look for its human equivalent, the one they considered “King”. This also gave the creature the name “Ant King”.Goto Ryuji stepped upand claimed to be the King but died moments later. Jin-Woo’s appearance led him to a fight with the Ant King. The Ant King felt like it was dominating Jin-Woo but ended up losing its life soon.
Ever since birth, the Ant King considered itself to be the strongest, so it was in utter shock when Jin-Woo outpowered it. After the Ant King’s death, Jin-Woo extracted its shadow and named him “Beru”.
The Ant King’s Abilities
Immense Physical Strength and Defense
The Ant King possessed incredible physical strength, iteasily killed eight S-Rank Hunters, including Goto Ryuji. It also heavily injured Cha Hae-In in an instant. Credited to its black exoskeleton, the Ant King was also extremely sturdy. It initially withstood several attacks from Jin-Woo.
High Speed
When it realized direct attacks wouldn’t work on Jin-Woo, the Ant King started relying on its speed. It contracted its massive body, so its four wings could produce unmatched speed. It was only outpaced by Jin-Woo.
Skill Absorption
The Ant King possessed the skill to inherit the abilities of the creatures it ate. As a result of this ability, he was able to gain stronger skills:
The Ant King was capable of defeating numerous S-Rank Hunters on its own.Transformed into Beru, it now serves as a loyal warrior to Jin-Woo. With stronger shadows at his disposal, Jin-Woo also continues to get stronger. Is there anyone who can even come close to Jin-Woo’s strength?
