Summary
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The System inSolo Levelingis full of mystery due to its unique mechanism that is only exclusive to Sung Jin-Woo. It guides and shapes Jin-Woo’s growth, leveling up his skills and abilities as he overcomes various quests one after another. While Jin-Woo takes advantage of the system’s benefits, he also wonders when he will discover the truth about the system and possibly its architect.
In the debut episode ofSolo Leveling, E-rank hunter Sung Jin-Woo finds himself at death’s door after entering a D-rank gate with a group of hunters. Death awaits Jin-Woo and his peers when they enter a second lair where enormous statues that are nothing but extraordinary begin their rampage. Many hunters died that day, but Jin-Woo miraculously survived thanks to the mysterious system.
Who Is the Architect of the System?
Get to Know Kandiaru, the Faithful Mage to the Monarchs
The architect of the system goes by the name Kandiaru. He is a demonic specter, a psychopathic but skillful mage that serves the Monarchs, worshiping them like gods. He is the designer and moderator of the system that aids Jin-Woo’s growth throughout the series. While the architect never officially introduced his name as Kandiaru, the reward from theCourage of the Weak questreveals Kandiaru, the great spellcaster who gave his blessing and assurance to Jin-Woo that he would always be strong and healthy during his lifetime.
“You’ve come at last."—System Architect to Sung Jin-Woo
Not much is known about Kandiaru’s early days, but his connection withthe Shadow Monarch Ashbornhad a significant impact on Sung Jin-Woo’s life, especially his hunter career. At the time, Kandiaru decides to collaborate with Ashborn in exchange for immortality. He offers to help Ashborn find a vessel worthy of his powers once he descends into the world. Later, Jin-Woo passes Kandiaru’s tests and exceeds his expectations during the double dungeon incident despite his initial reservations. From that day forward, the system that Kandiaru created started to assist Jin-Woo in a video game-like aesthetic and mechanism, adapting to the player’s interest.
When Will Jin-Woo Meet the System’s Architect?
Going Back to Where It All Began
Sung Jin-Woo will meet the system’s architect in the Double Dungeonstory arc ofSolo Leveling, which starts with chapter 123 and ends with chapter 131 in the manhwa. It will happen right after the Recruitment and the Ahjin Guild arc and before the events of the Japan Crisis Arc. The Double Dungeon arc will be a thrilling story arc where Jin-Woo will finally return to the Cartenon Temple, the place where everything truly began for him.
How Will Jin-Woo Meet the System’s Architect?
During the Jeju Island raid,Sung Jin-Woo reaches level 100. It is a huge milestone for Jin-Woo, which means the system rewards him with a strange key. This key is unlike the other keys Jin-Woo acquired in the past, as the key is an invitation to go back to the double dungeon. For Jin-Woo, the key is the system’s way of telling him that he’s strong enough to face the statues and possibly mature enough to find out the truth about the power he holds.
“Are you a monster?"—Sung Jin-Woo to Kandiaru
At the Cartenon Temple, Jin-Woo gets a surprise from one of the statues, particularly the hooded angel with six wings who holds the large stone tablet with commandments written in Hebrew. Jin-Woo learns that this statue is the creator of the system, as well as the boss of the double dungeon. A fight happens between the two characters, with Jin-Woo emerging as the winner despite his handicap. Kandiaru disablesJin-Woo’s shadow soldiers, but it’s not enough to keep him from winning, especially after the Shadow Monarch gets in the way.
The System’s End Goal
The real purpose of the system is to find a worthy vessel for the Shadow Monarch. Kandiaru wants the Shadow Monarch to take over Jin-Woo’s body and use him to descend into the world so he can assist the otherMonarchs in their fight against the Rulers. But Ashborn’s betrayal puts an end to Kandiaru’s goal and threatens the plans of the Monarchs. Jin-Woo, on the other hand, obtains the Shadow Monarch’s black heart.
The existence of the system ultimately changes the course of Jin-Woo’s life inSolo Leveling. It forces Jin-Woo into countless life-or-death situations, but it also ensures his survival above all else. The system may have used Jin-Woo for a different purpose, but he is wise enough to turn it to his advantage.
