Solo Leveling is a series that follows the journey of Sung Jin-Woo, a low-ranked E-Rank hunter who struggles to gain strength and recognition. Initially, this E-Rank hunter is labeled as the “Weakest Hunter in Humanity.”
The transformation of Sung Jin-Woo from the weakest to the strongest character in Solo Leveling is nothing short of extraordinary.
How Weak Was Jin-Woo as an E-Rank Hunter in Solo Leveling?
The Harsh Life of E-Rank Hunter Sung Jin-Woo
Almost everyone sees reality as a cold fact, opening new possibilities for personal growth and financial security. However, in Jin-Woo’s case, this reality feels like a burden and can even be a curse.
As an E-Rank hunter with minimal abilities, Jin-Woo constantly faces danger while on missions. He suffers severe injuries in an E-Rank dungeon, often barely escaping death, which puts his life at risk amidst deadly monsters.
For a regular person without special skills and talents, Jin-Woo has no choice but to become a hunter to earn money and support his family. After the death of his father, who left behind significant debts, Jin-Woo has no other option than to become stronger and continue his career as a hunter.
The Dangers Faced by Sung Jin-Woo
As a low-ranked E-Rank hunter, Jin-Woo ends up becoming a burden for healers, those who need to work harder anytime he is near. He often requires healing multiple times to avoid fatal injuries, which significantly affects the mana reserves of healers. In other words, Jin-Woo is always in debt to healers, especially Joo-Hee, a grade B healer who constantly worries about him.
Unlike other hunters of his rank, Jin-Woo lacks the ability to buy gear and potions. Therefore, he resorts to “self-care” for monsters using his own abilities and entirely relies on healers to help him, as long as his wounds can be treated.
Significant Moments in the Life of E-Rank Hunter Sung Jin-Woo in Solo Leveling
The first major setback for Sung Jin-Woo completely contrasts with the challenges he will face in the future. In this setback, Jin-Woo accidentally finds himself separated from his group and trapped in a D-Rank dungeon. To make matters worse, an E-Rank monster attacks from behind, causing him to sustain severe injuries and forcing him into a week-long recovery.
Before entering the D-Rank dungeon with Joo-Hee and Song Yi-Chul, Jin-Woo had already been injured in an E-Rank dungeon. Because the hunters he encountered were much stronger than him, they couldn’t afford to carry a healer along, leaving Jin-Woo vulnerable to traps and injuries.
Jin-Woo’s misfortunes do not stop there. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, he becomes trapped in a D-Rank dungeon, where he fears he might die. Although the dungeon’s rank is not high, the circumstances are dire as Jin-Woo must fight for his life to survive.
Ultimately, Jin-Woo’s painful experiences in the double dungeon show how weak he truly was when facing a much stronger opponent. Before the imminent death, he could do nothing but reflect on the harsh life he had led, merely wishing to find better ways to survive.
However, the struggles of Sung Jin-Woo as an E-Rank hunter have paved the way for his transformation. Without the pivotal moments in Jin-Woo’s life, his journey as the Shadow Monarch would not have been as powerful.
According to Gamerant
