Is Ashborn dead in Solo Leveling? Explained

Modified Jan 02, 2025 13:30 GMT

Ashborn in Solo Leveling (Image via D&C Media) — Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch (Image via D&C Media)

Solo Leveling's former Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, was an enigmatic and powerful figure in the series. As the ruler of death and darkness, his influence was vital in shaping the narrative and pushing protagonist Sung Jin-Woo’s transformation into a Monarch. Ashborn's mysterious past and legacy layers the story in an intriguing way. However, there have been doubts about his ultimate fate.

Per the series' lore, Ashborn is dead in Solo Leveling, but his essence lives on through Sung Jin-Woo. Ashborn was searching for a suitable human vessel, aided by Kandiaru, which led him to Jin-Woo. Believing that Jin-Woo was worthy, Ashborn chose him as his vessel despite Kandiaru's disapproval. Thus began Jin-Woo's journey to becoming the new Shadow Monarch.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Solo Leveling manhwa.

Ashborn's complicated fate in Solo Leveling explained

Eons ago, Ashborn was among the Rulers who fought a devastating war against the Monarchs at the behest of the Absolute Being. Realizing that the war was mere entertainment to their creator, 7 of 8 Rulers rebelled against him, with only Ashborn remaining loyal. He was soon overwhelmed and left on the brink of death, at which point he discovered that the Absolute Being had left him something.

He possessed a monstrous power within his body, transforming himself into the Shadow Monarch upon its activation. Completely healed and stronger than before, Ashborn returned to the battlefront but was too late — the rebellion had concluded, and the Absolute Being had been killed. The capture of Legia and the Rulers' ruthlessness caused Ashborn to switch sides.

But even though he managed to stabilize the balance of power, his overwhelming abilities garnered great fear from either side. Soon, 2 of the 9 Monarchs, Rakan and Baran rebelled against him. He easily subdued them, killing Baran for his treachery, but he lost a major portion of his Shadow Army. Baran's death brought forth an apology from the Rulers.

Initially, Ashborn rejected their plea for peace but was eventually left speechless due to their persistence. Instead, he sought vengeance against Rakan and went into hiding to replenish his Shadow Army. As such, the Rulers claimed victory. However, a while later, Ashborn returned, and Antares, the new strongest Monarch, welcomed him with open arms due to the great losses his side had suffered.

A couple of centuries later, the Monarchs unleashed themselves upon the human world, with Ashborn in tow. Given all the chaos, he voluntarily joined them because he felt out of place. Simultaneously, aided by Kandiaru, he began looking for an appropriate human vessel. His search led him to E-Rank Hunter Sung Jin-Woo and thus began the story of Solo Leveling.

When Jin-Woo reached Level 100, Ashborn decided to make him the next Shadow Monarch, disregarding Kandiaru. In essence, Ashborn had once again changed sides to the Rulers. During the Monarchs War Arc, Ashborn revealed the whole truth to Jin-Woo. The latter chose to finish his battle with the Monarchs, causing Ashborn to revive Jin-Woo with the Shadow Monarch's true powers.

Ashborn's role in Sung Jinwoo's story in Solo Leveling

Ashborn was the reason Sung Jin-Woo transformed from Humanity's Weakest Hunter to near-godly levels of power. The former Shadow Monarch's search for a suitable human vessel led him to Jin-Woo. Despite facing death several times, Jin-Woo always managed to escape with his life. This impressed Ashborn and pushed him to believe Jin-Woo was a worthy vessel.

Kandiaru designed the System to accustom the vessel (Jin-Woo) to Ashborn's powers. As such, it appeared as a game, gaining experience to level up. During the Double Dungeon Arc, Ashorn rejected Kandiaru and gave his Black Heart to Jin-Woo. Later, during the Monarchs War Arc, Jin-Woo was killed by Rakan. This is when Ashborn finally revealed himself and showed Jin-Woo his story.

After that, he offered the latter two choices — live in a fantasy world or finish the Monarch fight. Needless to say, Jin-Woo chose the second option. Thus, he returned to reality and was revived with the Shadow Monarch's true powers. In essence, Ashborn initially acts as an overseer of Jin-Woo's journey. His presence remains hidden as Jin-Woo awakens his unique abilities as a "player."

But as the story progresses, Jin-Woo’s growth, strength, and unwavering determination convince Ashborn to choose him as his ideal successor. In the latter bits of the story, Ashborn bequeaths his will and all his powers to Jin-Woo to finish the Monarch fight. Jin-Woo inherits a monumental responsibility to balance the Monarchs and Rulers and become the protector of both worlds and his own.

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Edited by Shreya Das