The Solo Leveling universe is filled with powerful monsters, but few are as terrifying and iconic as the Ant King. This formidable creature was the hidden boss of the Jeju Island S-Rank Gate and played an important role in one of the most intense story arcs of the series. More than just a mindless beast, the Ant King was a calculating and ferocious monster who craved battle. From his origins and abilities to his brutal fights and ultimate fate, this article delves into everything you need to know about the Ant King.
What/Who is the Black Ant King in Solo Leveling?
Born from the Ant Queen on Jeju Island, the Black Ant King was created to be the ultimate predator, a weapon of destruction meant to ensure the dominance of the ant species. Unlike his fellow ants, he possessed not only immense strength but also a keen intelligence, making him far more dangerous than any of his kind. He had one goal—to establish the supremacy of the ants over humanity.
The Ant Queen, recognizing the need for a superior leader, laid a special egg that would hatch into a being far stronger than any other ant. From the moment he was born, the Ant King was different. He was not just another ant drone but a creature of overwhelming power and intelligence, far surpassing any creature the hunters had ever faced.
Appearance and Personality of the Black Ant
Physically, the Ant King was a monstrous sight to behold. His massive, muscular frame was covered in a black, armored exoskeleton that could withstand even the most powerful attacks. His glowing red eyes were lifeless, and his razor-sharp claws were capable of ripping even the toughest opponents to shreds. Unlike other ants, he possessed two small pincers on his abdomen and four translucent wings that allowed him to move at blinding speeds.
His personality was even more terrifying than his appearance. The Ant King was arrogant, ruthless, and bloodthirsty, believing himself to be the absolute ruler of the battlefield. He sought out the strongest opponents, always demanding to fight the “king” of any group he encountered. His obsession with proving his dominance drove him to underestimate those who were weaker than him—a flaw that, in classic villain fashion, led to his downfall.
What happened during the Fourth Jeju Island Raid?
The Fourth Jeju Island Raid was humanity’s last attempt to reclaim Jeju Island from the ants, and the Ant King made sure it would be their most tragic one. As soon as the raid began, he focused on the Japanese S-Rank Hunters first, demonstrating his terrifying power by instantly beheading several of them in rapid succession. Among his victims were Akari, Kenzo, Tatsumi, Kei, and Ippei—all slaughtered with ease.
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Goto Ryuji, Japan’s strongest hunter, attempted to challenge him but barely lasted longer than the others. The Ant King toyed with him before finishing him off in two devastating blows. His ability to learn and adapt made him even more terrifying, as he absorbed the skills of the hunters he devoured. After consuming Min Byung-Gyu’s head, he gained knowledge of human languages and healing abilities, making him even more formidable.
With most of the hunters wiped out, the Ant King turned his attention to the Korean hunters, quickly overwhelming them. Cha Hae-In, one of Korea’s strongest, barely managed to survive his onslaught. Just as he was about to eliminate the last of his opponents, the arrival of Sung Jinwoo changed everything.
Who defeats the Black Ant King in Solo Leveling?
The Ant King had never met an opponent he couldn’t defeat—until he faced Jinwoo. Expecting yet another easy kill, he attacked immediately, delivering a powerful punch to Jinwoo’s face. To his shock, Jinwoo remained standing, suffering only a minor cut on his lip. It was then that the Ant King realized he was no longer the apex predator in this battle.
A brutal fight ensued, with the Ant King throwing everything he had at Jinwoo. He used his immense strength, paralyzing poison, and blinding speed, but none of it had any effect. Even summoning his army of ants failed, as Jinwoo’s shadow army slaughtered them effortlessly. The realization that he could not win filled the Ant King with something he had never felt before—fear.
This intense battle takes place in Chapter 103 of the Solo Leveling manhwa, marking one of the most iconic moments in the series and solidifying Jinwoo’s position as the strongest hunter in the world.
Desperate to escape, he attempted to flee, but Jinwoo would not let him go. Using Ruler’s Authority, Jinwoo telekinetically slammed him into the ground. As the Ant King struggled to crawl away, Jinwoo mercilessly ended his life with his Mutilation skill, carving through his body and finishing him once and for all.
What are the Black Ant King’s abilities?
The Ant King was one of the most powerful enemies humanity had ever faced, possessing a terrifying array of abilities:
- Immense Strength: He could kill S-Rank Hunters with a single blow, proving his overwhelming physical power.
- Immense Speed: His movements were so fast that most hunters couldn’t even track him, making him nearly impossible to hit.
- Durability: He survived multiple attacks from Jinwoo, lasting longer than most enemies before finally being killed.
- Gluttony: He could absorb the skills and knowledge of those he consumed, including healing magic and human language.
- Healing Magic: By consuming Min Byung-Gyu, he gained the ability to regenerate lost limbs and heal wounds.
- Paralysis Poison: After consuming a cone snail, he developed a venomous spit capable of killing victims in seconds.
- Flight: His wings allowed him to maneuver swiftly in combat, making him even harder to hit.
- Size Manipulation: He could alter his body size, increasing his strength at the cost of speed, or vice versa.
What happens to the Black Ant King after his death?
Though the Ant King was dead, his story did not end there. Jinwoo, recognizing his immense potential, used his Shadow Extraction ability to resurrect him as one of his soldiers. Thus, the Ant King was reborn as Beru, one of Jinwoo’s most powerful and loyal shadows.
Unlike the ruthless monster he once was, Beru developed a unique personality. He was fiercely devoted to Jinwoo, often praising him in an exaggerated manner. His quirks extended beyond battle—he even developed a love for Korean dramas, which hilariously influenced his speech patterns. However, his thirst for combat never faded, making him one of Jinwoo’s most valuable warriors.
Beru quickly proved himself as Jinwoo’s strongest shadow, surpassing even Igris and Iron. When Cha Hae-In later requested to join Jinwoo’s guild, Beru was chosen as her opponent. Despite Jinwoo’s command not to harm her, Beru struggled to hold back, demonstrating his relentless nature in battle. Only Jinwoo’s intervention prevented him from seriously injuring her.
Why is the Black Ant King an important character in Solo Leveling?
The Ant King’s transformation from a terrifying predator to Jinwoo’s devoted shadow is one of the most fan-favorite arcs in Solo Leveling. His initial reign of terror made him one of the most feared enemies in the series, but his eventual defeat and rebirth added an appreciated depth to his character.
As Beru, he became not just a powerful fighter but also one of the most beloved and entertaining figures in Jinwoo’s army. His journey serves as proof of Jinwoo’s power, proving that even the deadliest enemies can be turned into loyal allies under the Shadow Monarch’s rule.
About Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is a Korean Webtoon written by Chu Gong and illustrated by Jang Sung Rak. It is adapted from the web novel; I Alone Level Up. Kakaopage publishes it in South Korea and Piccoma in Japan. The series ended in December 2021 and has been collected into 14 volumes.
Portals connecting the Earth to realms of monsters have opened up, and hunters defeat those monsters. Sung Jin Woo belongs to the lowest level of hunters, but after getting involved in a Dungeon quest, he alone can see quests like that of a game.
His journey to become the most powerful hunter and bring peace back to Earth begins.
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