Summary
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InSolo Leveling, the Ant King is the most terrifying creature that appears before the strongest hunters of Japan and Korea on Jeju Island. He is the pinnacle of fear who tore through the S-rank hunters with immense speed and brutality, leaving them helpless at his mercy. But after transforming into Jin-Woo’s shadow, many are wondering whether the surviving hunters hate Beru or not.
Beru is the latest shadow to ever join Sung Jin-Woo’s army inSolo Leveling. Unlike his other shadows, Beru has the rank of general, has healing abilities, andcan speak human language. This makes Beru one of Jin-Woo’s most powerful shadows, capable of leading his army on the battlefield. Not to mention, Beru has unrivaled devotion and loyalty, so much so that he’s treating Jin-Woo as his personal king.
The Trauma of the Jeju Island Raid on the Hunters
It Was Supposed to Be a Counterattack Without Casualties
The fourth Jeju Island raidmay be considered a success, but it came at a heavy cost, claiming the lives of key figures and leaving deep emotional scars on the hunters and civilians alike. Japan lost a significant part of its strength with the death of Goto Ryuji, while Korea lost its only S-rank healer, Min Byung-Gu. It was supposed to be a clean counterattack without casualties, but due to the sudden appearance of the Ant King, everything spiraled into chaos until Jin-Woo’s arrival.
“You mean the S-rank hunters are being viciously torn apart by just one ant?"—Matsumoto Shigeo
The Ant King was so brutal he refused to allow the hunters to leave Jeju Island without trauma.Cha Hae-In was severely injured, Baek Yoon-Ho lost his friend, and Ma Dong-Wook experienced the loss of his arms. On the other hand, the Japanese hunters, particularly Minoru Hoshino, nearly lost their minds from the shock of Goto Ryuji’s death. Overall, the survivors remembered the Ant King as a nightmare rather than a hidden boss after the dungeon break was cleared.
The Ant King’s Rebirth As Beru
Beru’s Role in Jin-Woo’s Army
Sung Jin-Woo did not hesitate to use Shadow Extraction on the Ant King, as if the trauma it caused the hunters meant nothing to him. Instead oferasing the Ant King’s existence for good, he chose to add him to his army and name him Beru. And although Beru was stripped of malice and brutality toward humans, it did nothing to erase the trauma and painful memories that the survivors of Jeju Island still carried because of him.
“My King. Please give me a name."—Beru to Jin-Woo
In fact, Cha Hae-In was initially uncomfortable around Beru when they met again duringthe Ahjin Guild Arc. Though she had yet to fully recover from the trauma, she was determined to move forward. Still, it was difficult for Cha Hae-In not to feel uneasy, as Beru’s grotesque form, his ability to speak human speech, and the intimidating aura he gave off still made him deeply unsettling. On top of that, looking at Beru reminded her of the helplessness she felt on the island.
So, Do the Hunters Hate Beru After Jeju Island?
The Hunters Learned to Accept Beru
Instead of hating Beru, the hunters somehow learned to accept him as one of their allies. Seeing his feats during crises, the hunters have no choice but to rely on him even if they’re uncomfortable with his presence. In a way, they begin to respectBeru’s role in Jin-Woo’s army, seeing him as an extension of the brilliant hunter, rather than a separate entity. Still, it’s likely that it took the hunters quite a lot of time before they started seeing him in a new light.
“I was the one who killed you. Can you still be obedient and follow me?"—Jin-Woo to Beru
Due to Beru’s transformation, the narrative behind his character somehow shifts. Naturally, some hunters, particularly Baek Yoon-Ho, might carry a deeper, more personal resentment, but even they can’t deny the insect’s usefulness in the fight against superior beings. It’s also possible that the other hunters have chosen to avoid seeing Beru altogether rather than confront their lingering feelings. Unfortunately, the manhwa never explored this area, as the later events focused on the bigger problem.
Fear and Hatred Transformed Into Respect and Acceptance
As the plot thickens inSolo Leveling, the hunters come to accept and respect Beru’s critical role in Jin-Woo’s army. His ability tostand against the Monarchs, lead the shadow soldiers, and serve Jin-Woo without fail becomes undeniable in their eyes. Instead of clinging to their hatred for Beru’s brutality during the Jeju Island raid, they focus on the present situation and the real enemy. Despite some lingering trauma or moments of discomfort, the hunters put their differences aside and fight together.
Perhaps Beru has lived long enough inSolo Levelingto become a hero rather than the other way around. Looking at it from this perspective, Beru becomes a protector, wiping his slate clean, thanks to Jin-Woo. If it weren’t for Jin-Woo’s intervention, the hunters might have had a more difficult time dealing with the traumatic events of the fourth raid. The most important thing is that Beru proves he is no longer the same brutal monster of Jeju Island.
