As we know, Jin-Woo is famous for his Shadow Monarch ability which allows him to resurrect dead enemies into his shadow army. However, this power turned out to come from a figure named Ashborn.
Who really is Ashborn, the first Shadow Monarch before Jin-Woo? Here’s the explanation!
1. Nicknamed the Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light
Ashborn when he was still a Ruler (Doc. DNC Media / Solo Leveling)Ashborn is known to come from the Ruler race, ancient creatures created from the element of light. Therefore, he himself is tasked with protecting the world from invasion by Monarchs who often want destruction.
He is known to be one of two Ruler who has his own title. His nickname is Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light.
Both Monarch and Ruler often use this nickname whenever they talk about Ashborn.
2. Ruler who is most loyal to Absolute Being
Absolute Being, the god who created Monarch and Ruler (DNC Media Doc. / Solo Leveling)Before the main story begins, it is known that the Ruler and Monarch camps have been fighting for a very long time.
Tired of the never-ending war, the Rulers became fed up with Absolute Being and rebelled. Only Ashborn is known to still be loyal to his creator.
He even became furious when he found out that his colleagues had killed the figure who had created them.
3. Gain extraordinary power from Absolute Being
Ashborn awakens the power of the Shadow Monarch (DNC Media Doc. / Solo Leveling)When he was defeated by the attacks of the other Rulers, Ashborn realized that the Absolute Being had hidden something in his body.
Well, he discovered that his body had extraordinary powers that allowed him to transform fallen soldiers into immortal troops.
Based on Jin-Woo’s speculation, Absolute Being’s purpose in imbuing that power into his loyal subordinates was to get rid of his rebellious creations.
4. The only Ruler to switch sides to the Monarchs
Ashborn and the Monarchs (DNC Media Doc. / Solo Leveling)After the death of Absolute Being and the resurrection of Ashborn as Shadow Monarch, there was a turning point where the balance between the two parties was shaken because the Ruler party began to use tools containing the power of Absolute Being to hunt down their enemies.
Therefore, Ashborn decided to help Monarch avoid defeat and stabilize the balance of power. The Monarchs immediately agreed because they didn’t have much choice.
And sure enough, Ashborn’s arrival succeeded in turning the situation around.
5. Feared by both the Ruler and the Monarch
Ashborn against Baran and Rakan (Doc. DNC Media / Solo Leveling)Even though he succeeded in balancing power, Ashborn’s position became feared by both parties.
Because of this, Rakan and Baran tried to kill him in an internal conflict even though it ended in a crushing defeat.
The Rulers even came down to apologize for what they had done to their own creator.
6. The figure who killed Baran
Baran (solo-leveling.fandom)One of Jin-Woo’s most memorable enemies was the demon king Baran whom he fought at the demon king’s castle.
However, you need to know that it turns out that Jin-Woo’s opponent is just a clone created by the Architect to test the development of the prospective Shadow Monarch vessel.
The original himself was killed long ago at the hands of Ashborn in an internal conflict before the main story Solo Leveling started.
7. Choosing Jin-Woo after seeing the hunter’s struggle in facing death
Jin-Woo gets a system notification (Doc. A-1 Pictures / Solo Leveling)As one of the strongest Monarchs, Ashborn finds it difficult to appear in the human world so he needs a vessel strong enough to accommodate his power.
With the help of the Architect, he looked for candidates who felt right until finally the Shadow Monarch met Jin-Woo for the first time.
Impressed by seeing the weak hunter’s struggle to escape death many times, Ashborn decided to make Jin-Woo the heir to his power.
8. Rest forever after Jin-Woo chooses to wake up to face the Monarchs
Jin-Woo and Ashborn’s final moments (DNC Media Doc. / Solo Leveling)Not only did he make Jin-Woo a vessel for his power, Ashborn also decided that the young man would be his successor.
He decided this after he witnessed Jin-Woo’s growth so far and felt that the time he spent with the young man was truly enjoyable.
Therefore, Ashborn willingly gave the Black Heart to Jin-Woo and left the choice of whether to revive or not to the hunter.
After Jin-Woo decided to wake up again to fight the Monarchs, Ashborn returned to his eternal rest.
Those are interesting facts about Ashborn, Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-Woo’s predecessor.
What do you think?
