Explained: Flying Ant Behavior and Strength in Solo Leveling

Overview

The ant menace on Jeju Island is alarming, with one ant alone linked to over 300 fatalities.
These ants reproduce rapidly yet have brief lifespans; a plan to eradicate their colony has been devised.
The forthcoming Jeju Island Raid Arc in Solo Leveling is crucial, highlighting Jinwoo’s anticipated role.

The latest episode of Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow – primarily revolves around Sung Jinwoo’s critical raid on the Demon Castle Dungeon. Meanwhile, the Korean and Japanese Hunter Associations are gearing up for a perilous operation—another attempt to reclaim Jeju Island from the giant ant magic beasts that have overrun it since three years earlier. Notably, a recently observed ant, capable of flight, devastated an island over 100 kilometers from Jeju, signifying that the ants have adapted, potentially increasing the threat level.

This evolution poses a global threat, compelling the two nations to collaborate in neutralizing the ant population. Here’s a summary of the findings gathered by the Japanese Hunters regarding these formidable ants.

Jeju Island’s Ant Menace

One Ant’s Catastrophic Potential

Winged Ant Attacks Civilian – Solo Leveling Season 2 - Arise from the Shadow -

In Episode 8 of Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow –, the enormous ant that initially appeared in Episode 7 returns, terrorizing civilians on a Japanese island approximately 140 kilometers away from Jeju. This alarming development suggests a significant escalation in the threat, which had previously remained confined to Jeju. After a series of unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the island, the Korean government declared it off-limits to the public.

The winged ant’s assault led to 294 civilian casualties and the deployment of 108 Hunters, tragically resulting in the deaths of four E-Ranks, one C-Rank, and one B-Rank Hunter. The implications are dire, as Chairman Go Gunhee of the Korean Hunter Association speculates that a single winged ant’s strength is comparable to that of an A-Rank Hunter. This reality raises concerns about the potential for these creatures to spread menacingly beyond the region, marking Jeju Island’s situation as one of the gravest incidents since the inception of the Gates ten years prior to the narrative of Solo Leveling.

Ant Physiology and Behavior

Japan’s Ant Eradication Strategy

In a recent joint meeting of the Japanese and Korean Hunters’ Associations, it was disclosed that the ants exhibit rapid growth post-hatching, yet their lifespan is limited to about one year. This presents a viable opportunity: if the ant queen is eliminated, the entire colony can be eradicated within a single year, effectively neutralizing the threat once and for all. Previous encounters have demonstrated that these ants are attracted to stronger foes, informing the strategy for the latest raid.

The Draw Sword Guild, Japan’s largest guild and the second largest across Asia, is set to deploy ten of its eleven S-Rank Hunters as a diversion, drawing the attention of the ant drones and soldiers. Meanwhile, Hunters from Korea will infiltrate the colony with the objective of terminating the queen. While this plan is ambitious, with the diversion team needing to confront countless ants, statistical modeling via AI has indicated this approach offers the highest probability of success.

For avid fans of Solo Leveling, especially those who have journeyed through the manhwa or webcomic, the upcoming Jeju Island Raid Arc is anticipated to be one of the most compelling segments in the series. As Jinwoo returns from the Demon Castle, he initially intends to distance himself from the Jeju battle. However, unforeseen events will likely compel him to participate, marking a significant evolution in his character arc. This forthcoming narrative is particularly significant, considering the prior Jeju Raid launched the events of the Solo Leveling anime, first hinting at winged ants in the concluding moments of Season 1, thus building tremendous anticipation among dedicated followers.

Catch the thrilling developments in Solo Leveling Season 2 – Arise from the Shadow –, available on Crunchyroll.

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