Summary
The devastating power and explicitgoal of world destructionembodied bySolo Leveling’s Monarchs might make the central conflict seem like a clear-cut struggle of humanity versus monolithic evil. And taken purely at face value, considering these beings were literally born from the Absolute Being to annihilate existence, that opinion almost seems merited. Fans ofSolo Levelingfamiliar with their full scope from the source material know well the havoc they relentlessly pursue.
However, one doesn’t need to scrutinize the story too closely to find that view starkly simplistic. While the Monarchs are undeniably a catastrophic force, acting as overt enemies driven by their nature, humanity itself has consistently proven to be its own source of profound darkness. Long before the Monarchs became the most visible threat, avarice, betrayal, and naked ambition have driven humans to commit atrocities by choice – actions chillingly akin to the very monsters they ostensibly oppose. This forces one to wonder: Amidst a war against beings designed for destruction, could humanity’s most insidious and perhaps truest enemy actually lie within itself?
Webtoon
The appearance of hunters to prevent humanity’s damnation and defend them from the magicalbeasts emerging from magical portals called Gateswas an exceptional survival move. However, the commercialization of the power of these hunters is one of the key pointers to humanity’s greed. It became more of a game to humanity, with the formation of guilds and the buying of gates to clear and elevate the guild’s wealth and influence. The auctioning and purchasing of hunters became the norm. Hunters were seen more as assets than humans, valued in legal tender by their rank and abilities.
Although it often goes unnoticed, this is one of the core themes that the series embodies. It shows that humans do not just adapt to crisis; their greed makes them monetize it. A system initially created to protect those who were not opportune to become hunters turned into a capitalist system where power is hoarded unless affordable. Even during the Jeju Island Raid, National-Level hunters were not included in the raid team because they could not afford it.
This system deviates from the purpose of its conception, leaving those who do not have or can not afford power vulnerable. Net worth based on ability is not an entirely horrid concept, but humanity’s greed does not end there.
The Atrocities Of Monarchs And Humans
Monsters By Nature Vs Monsters By Choice
The Monarchs, as antagonists, have always had one goal: world destruction and domination. Their thirst for destruction and chaos is an instinctual desire, and they can not be faulted for it. They cause chaos not because they want certain events to occur or place a certain organization or race above the rest, but because that is what they were born to do.To conquer is their nature. Humans, on the other hand, choose what they want, and their greed, more often than not, leads to these choices inSolo Leveling.
Hunters choose to sacrifice their comrades for monetary gains, and organizations sacrifice their employees to gain wealth and status. These actions happen so frequently that they have become normalized, seen as strategies instead of greed and betrayal. The Monarchs kill hunters by nature, but humans exploit, betray, and kill each other for personal gain by choice. Countries are also not left out,as Japan was willing to sacrificenot only Korea’s S-Rank hunters but also their S-Rank hunters just to promote Goto Ryuji to National-Level status. Some of the most devastating moments in the series are not the result of the Monarchs but the greed and selfishness of humanity.
The Human Cost Of Greed
The Price Of Ambition
Thebrutality and despair caused by monstersis one thing; the segregation and damage caused by fellow humans is another. There are several moments in the series where the greed of humans leads to devastating outcomes. A prime example is Sung Jin-Woo prior to his reawakening. Sung Jin-Woo was an E-Ranked hunter, one of the weakest of his kind, and was a victim of the system. Due to his weakness, he was barely able to afford the barest minimum required for raids, living hand-to-mouth and dodging death without proper weapons or armor.
An example of the side entertaining the greed is Kang Taeshik. Because of his greed, Taeshik hadno issues with killing his fellow hunters, even those who had done no wrong. He went to extreme lengths just to protect his name and business of killing imprisoned hunters in dungeons for money, which cost him his life. Japan’s greed also came with a heavy price, losing more than half of their S-Ranked hunters. The unhealthy pursuit of wealth, fame, or power blinds these characters from exhibiting basic empathy, a trait that is required for humanity’s prosperity.
Hope For Humanity
Defying The Norms Of A Greedy World
Thankfully, there are several hunters who do not conform to the values that the capitalist system of greed has made the norm. They strive to do what is right amidst the chaos, placing themselves on the line for the sake of others, especially Sung Jin-Woo. Over the course of the series, Jinwoo’s humanity has surfaced time and time again as he chooses to save and protect those he can,unlike other characters with monstrous power. He is a symbol of hope for humanity, which makes him an even better protagonist.
The Monarchs might be a dire threat to the human race in the short term, but humanity’s greed is like a slow poison, working its way through society and damaging it before it can be recognized. Although humans like Sung Jin-Woo help society selflessly, the greed of others might cover up the good deeds of these people, making them the enemy of humanity in the long run.
Solo Leveling
A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is an anime based on Chugong’s popular web novel. Set in an unforgiving fantasy world where hunters explore dungeons filled with monsters, the vulnerable Sung Jinwoo gains a significant power boost after he is picked to be a solo player by the System.
