Spoiler Warning: The Following Article Contains Events That Occur in the Solo Leveling Manhwa That Have Not Been Covered in the Anime.
The Monarchs are at the pinnacle ofSolo Leveling’spower system. These nigh-omnipotent beings of unimaginable power are the emissaries of destruction, possessing abilities far beyond humanity’s comprehension. Among these titans, the Dragon Monarch Antares possesses the most formidable offensive capabilities.
Antares is not just a Monarch, but destruction personified;he is powerful enough to command other Monarchs. Unlike Jin Woo, who attains his powers through the leveling system built by the Architect, Antares is a being whose sole purpose is destruction. Brimming with power barely rivaled by the Shadow Monarch, Antares’ reputation as the most dreaded entity is hardly unfounded.
The Monarchs Are Historical Assurances of Humanity’s Destruction
And Antares, as the Monarch of Destruction, Is Humanity’s Executioner
InSolo Leveling, Antares and theMonarchs are not just regular villainsrequired for the story’s conclusion;they are cosmic certainties tied to the story’s world at its foundation. Created at the dawn of time by the Absolute Being, the Monarchs are one half of an ancient race of monsters birthed from darkness with the sole purpose of destroying the world.
The other half are the Rulers, who were also created from the universe’s light to protect the Earth and battle the Monarchs in eternal conflict. The Monarchs are presented as the story’s antagonizing force, and each Monarch is a representation of an aspect/weapon of humanity’s ruin.
Despite sharing the same power source as his fellow Monarchs, Antares is different. He isthe full embodiment of the genocidal purpose the monarchs are saddled with. True to his title as the Monarch of Destruction, Antares, by himself, proves that the threat of the Monarchs is not just apocalyptic, it is inevitable.
In the manhwa, even though Monarchs like Legia and Sillad act with strategic restraint toward humanity, Antares shows no semblance of empathy. Upon his arrival, he quickly and mercilessly makes an example out of Canada and itsS-Rank hunter, Jay Mills, reducing the country to ashes, gleefully stating that the sound of the destruction is music to his ears.
What truly makes Antares particularly chilling is how his presence immediately removes any illusion of humanity’s survival, barring intervention momentarily, even from Jin Woo. Unlike the other Monarchs, whose threats are thwarted, Antares brings the world to the brink of annihilation.
Antares is the only monarch who truly acts on the Monarchs' intended destruction, and without Sung Jin-Woo’s time-reversing sacrifice, both the Earth and humanity would have met their respective ends. Unquestionably, even though the Monarchs generally symbolize humanity’s doom, Antares alone is the weapon, executioner, and fire-breathing guarantee that, without Jin Woo, there would be no Earth left to protect.
Antares Takes Pride And Joy In Cataclysmic Destruction
He Is The Monarchs' Symbol of Power
As direct creations of the Absolute Being, the Monarchs are by default one of the most powerful existences withinSolo Leveling, outmatching even the strongest huntersby a considerable margin. Yet, the Monarch of Destruction sits alone in his class of power.
As direct creations of the Absolute Being, the Monarchs are by default one of the most powerful existences within theSolo Levelingseries.
Though the title of the ‘Strongest Monarch’ is reserved for the fully matured version of Jin Woo at the end of the series,Antares’ place as the pinnacle of the nine monarchs remains unquestioned throughout the story. With unparalleled strength rivaling Ashborn, the previous Shadow Monarch, Antares’ might surpass most powers the other monarchs can boast of.
This is evident inhis first battle against Jin Woo, where he is able to match Jin Woo’s strength and speed, before eventually overpowering the new Shadow Monarch. In addition to his remarkable physical traits, the King of Dragons boasts two of the most powerful abilities within theSolo Levelinguniverse: Dragon’s Fear and Breath of Destruction.
For the King of Dragons, Dragon’s Fear is a debuff skill that works as a mana-infused shout emanating from the Monarch’s soul. This skill immobilizes every being weaker than the monarch momentarily, driving the outcry’s targets into a state of intense panic and fear.
Breath of Destruction, on the other hand, is an offensive skill that unleashes an overwhelming amount of firepower capable of erasing anything from existence. The only known survivor of this deathly skill is Sung Jin Woo.
As the ultimate manifestation of the Authority of Destruction, the attack supersedes even the Authority of Death that the Shadow Monarch wields. Consequently, in a world built around cosmic entities and unfathomable power levels, Antares is not only at the peak of the ladder of power, but he is the end and final judge of it.
The Monarch of Destruction, Antares, Is Solo Leveling’s Strongest Monarch
The Flame That Even Incinerates Death Itself
Between all of the Monarchs, the question of who ranks the most powerful has really, only ever been between the King of Dragons, Antares, and the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn. This debate falls through when readers recall that the story records Ashborn specifically referring to the dragon king as “the strongest Monarch” during his memory transfer to Jin Woo.
During the manhwa’s finale,Solo Levelingonce again broaches the question of superiority during the battle between Antares and Jin Woo, and this time, the answer is layered. Sung Jin Woo’s time-reversing sacrifice earns him a hard-fought victory, but not before Antares wins the clash between the two powerful monarchs.
The battle, however, is particularly significant to Antares’ image as the story’s symbol of terror, because the fight against Jin Woo is the only period in the story that completely depicts him as the catalyst of destruction. Recounting from #Chapter 173 of theSolo Levelingmanhwa, Antares’ overwhelming might is on display against the Shadow Monarch.
Despite Sung Jin Woo’s attempt to foil the Dragon Monarch’s plans by isolating the character, Antares adapts instantly, flaunting his power to the fledgling Monarch. In a single breath, Antares levels half of the island, to which both Monarchs were transported. After this debacle, he brutally announces the overwhelming difference between himself and Jin Woo.
“The avatar of destruction, who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice oneself for the sake of a raging war. The amalgam of blood, screams, madness, and destruction. A being created solely for the purpose of war. That is Me, Antares, the King of Dragons and the Monarch of Destruction.”
The declaration is followed by another deceptive offer of a pledge of allegiance and alliance to Jin Woo to fight against the Rulers together. Jin Woo refuses, unleashing thefrenzied excitement and terror of a being whose essence seeks only endless destruction.
“Do you wish for the flame that even incinerates death to turn you into ashes?”
This authoritative question weighs heavily because it isSolo Leveling’stestament that Antares wields the highest authority among all the Monarchs: the Authority of Destruction. It solidifies the Dragon King’s raw power and prominence, placing him well above other Monarchs. Ultimately, if not for Jin Woo’s trickery involving the Rulers, he would have met his end at the hands of Antares.
