This article contains heavy spoilers for the Solo Leveling manhwa.

As Sung Jinwoo gets stronger by clearing levels in the System, he involuntarily inches closer to the ultimate truth about his powers. Solo Leveling has a rich lore with its roots in cosmic entities and omnipotent beings with unfathomable powers. One such powerful entity, who plays a critical role in the story and in Jinwoo’s awakening, is Ashborn. The first Shadow Monarch is an influential figure in a universal clash between two beings called the Rulers and Monarchs.

As an enigmatic and intelligent being, the King of Dead controls the strings playing Jinwoo and his rise to absolute power. Despite not making a full-fledged appearance in the anime yet, Ashborn is set up to be a layered character with a rich legacy. He is the reason why Jinwoo has power, making it essential to understand where it originated from.