Summary
Quick Links
The system inSolo Levelingis designed with reliable functions that steer Sung Jin-Woo’s growth as he levels up, ensuring his survival at all costs. One such function, unique among others, is the party system feature that pops up as a prompt during the Return to Demon Castle story arc of the series. Jin-Woo used the party system, but doesSolo Levelingultimately forget this function?
The party feature is just one of the manyvideo game-like mechanics of the systemalongside the daily quest, inventory, and in-game store. It holds a lot of potential for growth, not just for Jin-Woo but possibly for other hunters as well, owing to its benefits. However, as the plot thickens, it seems like Jin-Woo forgets about the feature after using it just once.
How Does the Party System Work?
It’s All About Experience Sharing
The party system inSolo Levelingis first introduced during the Return to the Demon Castle story arc, withSung Jin-Woo adding the demon Esil Radiruinto his party. Since Jin-Woo needs Esil as a guide to obtain the entry passes for the tower’s higher floors, the party system makes it possible for him to access the movement circles with her. The downside, at least from Jin-Woo’s perspective, is the risk of losing experience points while in a party with her.
“You attacked my soldiers and now you’re asking for forgiveness?"—Sung Jin-Woo to Esil Radiru
As it turns out, the party system is similar to an ordinary party system in a video game, allowing members to share experience points based on their individual contributions. Should Esil participate in battle, the experience points would be divided accordingly, which isn’t ideal forJin-Woo, who’s chasing levelsas quickly as possible. Fortunately, Jin-Woo easily avoids this drawback by thoroughly instructing Esil to stay out of his way, ensuring he gains all the experience for himself.
The Potential of the Party System
The What Ifs
Outside the system’s party feature, it’s common knowledge that parties also exist in the real world. At every gate, strike teams made up of various hunters operate like party members, working together to survive against the magical beasts lurking inside. While they don’t receive experience points or level up through a system, they gain real-life combat experience, which they can put to use in the next raids.
Still, many fans think that a lot ofhunters could become significantly strongerif the party system were used more. If Jin-Woo had partied with Jin-Ho, for example, the tanker might have grown strong enough to rise from D-rank to at least A-rank status. He could also party with Korea’s S-rank hunters, though that would come with a major risk, as information about the system would be revealed.
I’m pretty sure the party system in the original system made by the architect was a bait. It wouldn’t actually make the allies stronger but would just punish Jin Woo for fighting with others on his path to being a monarch.-Reddit userTheNeighborCat2099
Even though the feature would be incredibly efficient, most fans speculate that it’s only available in the demon castle and would not work in the real world, which could possibly explain why Esil was able to party with Jin-Woo without any issues. Others believe that the party system was merely a baitdesigned by the system’s architectto see whether Jin-Woo could truly commit to his role as the system’s sole player. If Jin-Woo ever attempted to use the feature with other hunters, it’s possible that the architect would punish him in unimaginable ways through the system.
So, Did Solo Leveling Forget the Party System?
It Was Only Mentioned and Used Once
In many ways, it’s fair to say thatSolo Levelingforgets about the party system feature after it’s introduced and used just once by Sung Jin-Woo. By the end of the webtoon, the feature is left entirely forgotten, despite its immense potential, which feels like a missed opportunity for many hunters who could have used it to grow stronger.
Perhaps one of the main reasons why the feature wasn’t explored further is due to the narrative focus onSung Jin-Woo’s personal journey. The very title of the series emphasizes individual strength, so it would be somewhat ironic to dive deeper into the party system. Another reason could be the feature’s limited relevance, as Jin-Woo is essentially a one-man army who can accomplish anything by himself without needing a balanced team. Additionally, it would take so much time for the author to develop the roles of Jin-Woo’s party members.
“I want to borrow her for a bit."—Sung Jin-Woo to Esil Radiru’s Father
WithJin-Woo destroying the systemat the end, there was no way to reintroduce the party system feature, at least not untilSolo Leveling: Ragnarokwas launched. For those who still want to see the party system at play,Solo Leveling: Ragnarokoffers a chance to witness how Jin-Woo utilizes the feature in a new system he designed himself, potentially giving fans a more profound understanding of its full potential.
