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Uncover the origins of the Rulers in Solo Leveling and learn about their conflict with Monarchs in this detailed analysis.
Solo Leveling follows Sung Jin-Woo, a weak hunter who gains God-like power. He acquires the abilities of Ashborn, the last and strongest Ruler, who later becomes the Shadow Monarch. The story extends beyond him because the powerful Monarchs and Rulers have been waging war against each other for centuries. The Rulers play a major supporting role in the series. They have not appeared in the anime yet but are present in the Novel and the Webtoon.
In this article, let us talk about who the Rulers are and learn about the war between them and the Monarchs.
Who are the Rulers in Solo Leveling
Rulers are created by the Absolute Being and are a race of angelic warriors. However, while the Monarchs inherited the will of destruction, the Rulers embodied balance and order. Their primary goal was to prevent the Monarchs from annihilating all life in the universe.
They do not assert themself in any situation where they are not needed. They only took action when the Monarchs made plans to annihilate humanity they decided to help save humanity. The Absolute Being initially made them equal to the Monarchs, but as the war escalated, they adopted new strategies, including granting power to human hunters.
The Origins of the Rulers
The Absolute Being, a god-like entity, created the Rulers and the Monarchs. Initially, the Rulers believed they must protect the universe and restore balance from the chaos the Monarchs caused.
After centuries of war, the Rulers saw no end with their current power. They asked the Absolute Being for permission to lend power but received no answer. Realizing the war might have been designed for its entertainment, they planned to assassinate it. It was clear that it did not show any signs in favor of stopping the war.
However, only Ashborn was the one to react against this plan and remained loyal and tired of reasoning with them. But the Monarchs had already made up their minds and tried their best to stop the Rulers.
However, the Rulers outnumbered them and left them to die. With their newfound independence after successfully killing the Absolute Being, the Rulers dedicated themselves to eradicating the Monarchs and preventing further destruction.
Powers of the Rulers
One of their most powerful abilities is Spiritual Body Manifestation, similar to what Monarchs have. It allows them to transform into their true form and access their powers which enhances their physical abilities. They also have Gravity Manipulation, this ability allows them to crush or control their enemy on the battlefield. Their Teleportation abilities allow them to travel vast distances in an instant.
Unlike the Monarchs, who can only possess to gain control over human bodies, the Rulers have the unique ability to bless humans with their power rather, which means they do not have to forcefully possess it. This ability is the key that helps shape Sung Jin-Woo’s transformation.
Key Rulers with Their Vessels and Their Impact on the Story
Throughout the story, several Rulers take an active role in the war against the Monarchs. While their true identities remain mysterious, some notable Rulers include:
- Ashborn (Former Ruler, Later the Shadow Monarch) – Originally a Ruler and later the Shadow Monarch, was the strongest of his kind. However, after being betrayed and left to die, he transformed into the Shadow Monarch.
- Brightest Fragment of Luminosity –Leads the Rulers and guides them in their commitment to their mission.
- Other Unnamed Rulers – Unlike the Monarchs, most Rulers remain unnamed. However, they collectively fulfill their duty and emerge during major battles, especially in the final confrontation against Antares, the Monarch of Destruction.
Rulers chose seven human vessels to fight against the Monarchs and save Earth. These vessels were gifted part of their powers to help in the mission. The known hosts include:
- Sung Il-Hwan: He was father of Sung Jin-Woo. One day he disappeared during a raid and came out after gaining powers of the Rulers.
- Go Gun-Hee: The Chairman of the Korean Hunters’ Association and an S-Rank Hunter. He helped hunters despite being old and later revealed that he too is blessed with the power of Rulers.
- Thomas Andre: Known as “Goliath” as he is extremely powerful and has a huge build, he is one of the five National Level Hunters.
- Liu Zhigang: China’s strongest hunter and second in global rankings.
- Christopher Reed: An American National Level Hunter, ranking third globally. Unfortunately, he is killed by Monarchs.
- Siddharth Bachchan: India’s top hunter. Notably, he does not make a physical appearance in the series.
The Conflict Between the Rulers and the Monarchs
The war between the Rulers and the Monarchs spans over multiple dimensions and has shaped the very structure of the Solo Leveling universe. After killing the Absolute Being, they took tools containing fragments of his power to hunt down the Monarchs. They were successful as they captured Monarch Legia. For the first time in their history, it seemed that things were turning in their favor.
It was then that Ashborn decided to become a Shadow Monarch and killed Baron (former Demon king and Monarch of White Flames). Ashborn burning in rage towards Monarch and wanting to find a new solution to the war went into hiding to rebuild his army. For ages, the Rulers and the Monarchs fought with none of the sides being able to claim victory.
When their battle reached Earth, humanity faced great danger. The Rulers saw they couldn’t protect the world alone and granted power to humans, creating the strongest hunters. This awakened Sung Jin-Woo, whose transformation into the Shadow Monarch shifted the balance of power.
The Role of the Rulers in Jin-Woo’s Evolution
Although the Rulers initially kept their distance, they played an indirect role in Jin-Woo’s rise. After Ashborn abandoned his position as a Ruler and passed his power to Jin-Woo, the Rulers saw potential in the young hunter. Rulers recognized Jin-Woo as a crucial ally to help them annihilate the Monarchs.
In the final battle, when Antares attempted to wipe out Earth, the Rulers entered the battlefield again and assisted Jin-Woo, ensuring they defeated the last standing Monarch.
Through their actions, the Rulers demonstrated their true purpose of guiding and protecting. Their support allowed Jin-Woo to evolve beyond even their expectations, cementing his status as the ultimate protector of humanity.
Conclusion
The Rulers were not simply powerful beings who kept on fighting an endless war; they represented order against the chaos caused by the Monarchs. And without hesitation aided Jin-Woo, especially during the Final Battle Arc.
Sung Jin-Woo’s journey was shaped by both the Monarchs and the Rulers, but in the end, he surpassed them all. His evolution from an ordinary hunter to the Shadow Monarch was not just a story of personal growth—it was the turning point in a conflict that had lasted for centuries. Through their wisdom, power, and ultimate willingness to trust humanity, the Rulers played a pivotal role in the events of Solo Leveling, ensuring that balance, rather than destruction, prevailed.
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