Overview
- Baran, a formidable Monarch aligned with the forces against the Rulers, played a consequential role in centuries of conflict.
- In the Return to Demon Castle arc of Solo Leveling, Jinwoo engages Baran in an intense battle.
- As a Monarch, Baran emerges as a daunting adversary, testing Jinwoo’s skills to their limits.
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In the compelling universe of Solo Leveling, viewers have witnessed a vivid array of powerful entities driving the narrative. The anime has introduced awe-inspiring S-Rank Hunters alongside menacing monsters from other realms. Now, fans are primed for the introduction of a Monarch, a significant highlight soon to unfold.
During the gripping Return to the Demon Castle arc, Jinwoo faces off against Baran, known as the Monarch of White Flames. Baran’s ferocity establishes him as a formidable opponent in this pivotal storyline.
WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for the Solo Leveling Manhwa series.
Baran’s Historic Battles with the Rulers
His Past Alliance with Ashborn
Baran, like other Monarchs, was created by one of the Itarim Gods. Engaged in centuries of warfare against the Rulers, his battles served as mere entertainment for their God. Even following the Rulers’ rebellion and the subsequent demise of their deity, Baran and his fellow Monarchs pressed on against their foes. Initially a Ruler himself, Ashborn remained steadfast to his God until the end. Following the death of his deity, Ashborn awakened the Shadow Monarch’s powers and allied with the Monarchs, continuing the fight against the Rulers. Thus, Baran can be characterized as having once fought alongside Ashborn for aeons against their common enemies.
Despite his loyalty to the Monarchs, Ashborn instilled fear in Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, due to his powers. Fearing Ashborn’s potential, Antares enlisted Baran and Rakan to eliminate him. However, Ashborn defeated them with relative ease. While Rakan escaped, Baran met his demise at the hands of the Shadow Monarch. This raises an intriguing question: If Baran was defeated, who then faced Jinwoo in the Return to Demon Castle arc?
Baran’s Role in the ‘Return to Demon Castle’ Arc
Interestingly, the Baran who confronted Jinwoo in this arc was merely a clone and not the true Monarch of White Flames. During the Monarchs and Rulers’ clashes on Earth, Kandiaru engineered a clone of Baran to serve as the Demon Castle’s final boss. For context, Kandiaru is also credited with creating The System and guiding Jinwoo to become Ashborn’s vessel.
Upon encountering Baran, Jinwoo expressed his concerns: “He has a remarkable force! Will I be able to… defeat this monster?”
Baran, in life, commanded a powerful dragon, which remained under Ashborn’s control posthumously. Kandiaru opted to leverage this dragon, pairing it with Baran’s clone. It is essential to note that despite the clone possessing similar appearances and abilities, it was significantly weaker than the original Monarch. Had the real Baran fought in the Demon Castle, he would have easily overpowered Jinwoo, who, while incredibly strong, required the full emergence of the Shadow Monarch’s abilities to prevail against a true Monarch.
Jinwoo’s Confrontation with Baran
Jinwoo’s Encounter Upon Reaching the 100th Floor
Jinwoo’s foray into Demon Castle was motivated by his desire for rapid evolution and the acquisition of rewards, specifically the fragments of the Holy Water of Life. During his initial foray, he managed to secure two fragments, but the acquisition of the third required vanquishing Baran.
Throughout his journey, Baran stood as Jinwoo’s most formidable opponent to date. Unlike the simplistic foes within the dungeons, Baran was the clone of the King of Demons. While able to easily dispatch numerous minions, Jinwoo faced substantial challenges while combating Baran’s clone. Just as Baran seemed poised to seize victory, Esil—the demon girl accompanying Jinwoo since the 80th floor—created a diversion, allowing Jinwoo to deliver a decisive blow. Ultimately, while Jinwoo typically preferred solitary fights, he availed himself of Esil’s assistance in overcoming Baran.
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