Overview of Events
- Evolved ants from Jeju Island infiltrate Japan, prompting a collaborative raid mission between Korean and Japanese hunters.
- Sung Jin-woo initially refrains from participating but ultimately joins the effort to defeat the Ant King and rescue his fellow hunters.
- Utilizing his shadow army, Jin-woo overcomes the Ant King and eliminates the mutant threat, concluding the conflict.
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In the compelling Return to the Demon Castle Arc, Sung Jin-woo returned to Baran’s lair to gather essential components for the Holy Water of Life. Following his victory over the Demon King, he utilized this potion to awaken his mother from her eternal slumber. During this emotional reunion, an evolved ant from Jeju Island launched an invasion on an island near Japan, necessitating immediate action after multiple attempts to clear the S-rank dungeon had failed. Below, we explore the key events of Solo Leveling‘s Jeju Island Arc.
Evolved Ants Cause Turmoil in Japan
Preparation for the Jeju Island Raid
- Arc: Jeju Island Arc
- Webnovel: Chapters 111 to 127
- Webtoon: Chapters 90 to 107
- Previous Arc: Return to Demon Castle Arc
- Next Arc: Recruitment Arc
When a mutant ant reached Japanese shores, the startled hunters were unprepared for the onslaught. The Japanese Hunters Association acted promptly, dispatching 108 hunters to eliminate the threat. Tragically, by the time the ant was neutralized, 294 lives had already been lost. Investigations revealed that only A-rank hunters could contend with these evolved ants.
To enhance their response, the Japanese Hunters Association enlisted the expertise of renowned S-rank hunters who had navigated Jeju Island previously. Notably, S-rank healer Min Byung-Gyu participated actively in the investigations, which concluded that surrounding nations faced significant risks due to the ants’ remarkable flying abilities—capable of covering distances up to 150 kilometers. The Korean Hunters Association expressed similar concerns, acknowledging the imminent threat posed to Korea.
Japanese Hunters Join the Effort
The day following the initial incursion, S-rank Japanese hunter Goto Ryuji arrived in Korea for consultations with members of the Korean Hunters Association. He proposed forming a unified strike team for a decisive raid on Jeju Island.
Goto disclosed that the Japanese hunters had keenly monitored the evolving crisis and learned that the mutant ants had limited lifespans—with the potential for their colony’s extinction if their queen was eliminated. Historical data indicated that upon raiding, the ants, with the exception of the queen’s guards, actively participated in combat. This insight informed Goto’s strategy, advocating for Japanese S-rank hunters to drive the ants out while the Korean team focused on neutralizing the ant queen.
With this approach, they anticipated a swift victory, possibly destabilizing the mutant ant threat entirely and preserving countless lives—including those in Korea. Both groups recognized the escalating danger and prepared to act before the ants developed further capabilities.
Sung Jin-woo’s Dilemma
Joint Training Session Between Hunters
After returning from the Demon’s Castle, Jin-woo learned of Goto Ryuji and his contingent of S-rank hunters preparing for the upcoming raid on Jeju Island. At the Hunters Association gym, he observed the training sessions of fellow hunters Baek and Dongwook.
As training continued, the Japanese hunters, which included renowned figures such as Izawa Ippei, Ishida Mari, and Kenzo Tanaka, joined in. Initial interactions during sparring illustrated the Japanese hunters’ prowess until Jin-woo entered the fray. As match-ups unfolded, tensions rose, particularly when Kumamoto Atsushi recklessly clashed with Cha Hae-in, prompting Jin-woo’s timely intervention.
Goto Ryuji recognized Jin-woo’s exceptional abilities and challenged him to a sparring match. Ultimately, the encounter escalated dangerously, requiring intervention from others to prevent injuries. Post-sparring, Jin-woo surprised the assembly by choosing not to partake in the Jeju Island mission.
Days before the raid, a chance meeting between Baek and Min Byung-Gyu revealed that the latter, initially averse to joining the endeavor, would accompany the S-rank team overnight, solidifying the group’s strength.
The Raid Team’s Journey to Jeju Island
Cornering the Ant Queen
Prior to the raid, the Ant Queen gave birth to her most powerful offspring, vowing to instill fear among adversaries. Meanwhile, the Japanese were taken aback by Jin-woo’s previous withdrawal from the mission.
On the day of the raid, naval forces were dispatched to Jeju’s northern shores, equipped to defend against potential escalations. Strike teams comprising various ranks surrounded the country, totaling an impressive 5, 000 active combatants—including awakened non-hunters.
A hunter assigned as a reporter joined the Korean raiding party, which featured notable members such as Cha Hae-in and Ma Dongwook. The Japanese hunters landed first and initiated the operation by releasing powerful mana waves to attract the mutant ants.
Choi Jong-In took the lead in repelling the advancing mutant ants exclusively, allowing for a smooth landing for the raiding team. In a tactical move, Reiji Sugimoto ordered satellite signals to be jammed, isolating the Ant Queen and her guards as the majority of her army emerged from hiding.
Confronting Overwhelming Challenges
Initially, the Japanese hunters found success in dispatching the mutant ants, feeling confident in their abilities. Choi used fire magic to guide his group deeper into the Queen’s lair, culminating in a startling discovery of an enormous egg, instilling dread among them.
Outside the Queen’s lair, Kenzo Tanaka sought healing from Akari Shimizu after sustaining injuries. Yet, instead of administering aid, Akari mockingly teased him. This distraction became fatal, leading to her beheading by an approaching ant. The subsequent chaos left Tanaka vulnerable, resulting in his death as well as others who attempted to intervene.
At this juncture, the Korean hunters, supported by Min Byung-Gyu’s healing abilities, successfully infiltrated the Queen’s chamber. Despite the Ant Queen and her guards putting up resistance, the Korean team’s synergy and healing support rendered them formidable. However, just as victory appeared within reach, the Queen’s desperate cry for help reached her dormant army.
Sung Jin-woo’s Heroic Arrival
Confrontation with the Ant King
In response to the Queen Ant’s pleas, the formidable Ant King emerged into the fray, having previously decimated multiple Japanese S-rankers. His menacing presence froze the Korean hunters in place as he effortlessly overwhelmed their ranks, with an exception for Min Byung-Gyu, who managed to heal them momentarily.
Unfortunately, the Ant King swiftly shifted the tides, brutally dispatching Byung-Gyu. Concurrently, Goto Ryuji grew alarmed by the severed communication with his split teams and searched for the lost members. This misjudgment would later prove catastrophic as the Ant King maintained his deadly grip on the situation.
As hope dwindled, Sung Jin-woo unexpectedly appeared using his shadow exchange ability. His confrontation with the Ant King electrified the battlefield. After effortlessly dispatching Goto and realizing the depths of Sung’s strength, the Ant King soon faced an unprecedented challenge.
Sung Jin-woo, unlike any opponent the Ant King had encountered, displayed remarkable agility and strategic insight. Despite Ant King’s distressing resort to toxins, he proved ineffective against Jin-woo’s tenacity. In the end, the shadow army overwhelmed the Ant King’s forces as Jin-woo himself dealt the final blow to the Ant King – cementing a significant victory.
Despite his own challenges, Jin-woo prioritized saving Cha Hae-in, employing Byung-Gyu’s shadow to administer critical healing. With the mission’s completion imminent, Jin-woo chose to remain, extracting the Ant King’s shadow to augment his army. As the dust settled from the clash, Sung Jin-woo and his newly acquired ally prepared to address the remaining 4, 000 mutant ants, paving the way for the resolution of the Jeju Island saga.
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