This article contains spoilers for Solo Leveling, Episode 11, 'A Knight Who Defends an Empty Throne', available on Crunchyroll, and major spoilers for the overall Solo Leveling story, accessible on Tapas.
In the 11th installment of Solo Leveling, Jinwoo faces a diverse range of adversaries during his Job-Change Quest, culminating in a formidable showdown with Blood-Red Igris, the Knight's Captain guarding an empty throne room. This battle proves to be Jinwoo's most challenging yet.
Despite the intense struggle, Jinwoo emerges victorious against Igris, securing valuable rewards. However, the most pivotal gain from this encounter is the Ruler's Hand Skill, a mysterious ability that holds significant implications for Jinwoo's journey. But what exactly does the Ruler's Hand entail?
Delving into the Universe of Solo Leveling
Clash of Monarchs and Rulers
In a distant past, a primeval chaos existed before a deity separated light from darkness, birthing powerful entities known as Monarchs from darkness and their ontological counterparts, the Rulers. The conflict between these forces of light and darkness, stemming from an evil deity's indifference to their plight, led to a rebellion by the Rulers, ultimately resulting in the birth of the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn.
Ashborn, the strongest among the Rulers, attempts to thwart the deity's assassination but is defeated, transforming into the Shadow Monarch. To reincarnate, Ashborn requires a powerful human host, selecting Sung Jinwoo for this role and grooming him through the System post the Double Dungeon incident.
Unveiling the Ruler's Hand Skill
Traces of Ashborn's Influence
The Ruler's Hand Skill, a derivative of Ruler's Authority exclusive to Rulers, grants telekinetic abilities. Jinwoo acquires the rune stone for this skill post his victory over Igris but delays its activation due to receiving a Teleportation Stone. This potent ability, when fully harnessed, costs no mana, boasts a vast activation range, and grants immense power, albeit ineffective against stronger foes. Igris exhibits a weaker version of Ruler's Hand, the Dominator's Touch, during the Job-Change Quest, showcasing its potential.
With telekinesis at his disposal, Jinwoo's strength escalates, signifying his role as Ashborn's potential vessel. The 11th episode of Solo Leveling subtly foreshadows this development, hinting at Jinwoo's pivotal position in the overarching conflict, evident from his encounter with Kang Taeshik and the growing significance of his shadow.
Emergence of the Shadow Monarch
Evolution from Ruler's Hand to Shadow Extraction
Post the Job-Change Quest, Jinwoo ascends as the Shadow Monarch, transitioning from an Assassin Type to a Mage Class Hunter. His dedication in the quest earns him the title of Necromancer, evolving further into the unique Shadow Monarch who can 'extract' shadows, converting them into loyal soldiers. The acquisition of the Ruler's Hand Skill foreshadows Jinwoo's evolution into the Shadow Monarch, suggesting a specialized form of Ruler's Authority.