Solo Leveling is Sung Jinwoo’s story through and through, showing his rise from a weak E-Rank Hunter to the strongest being in existence. Chosen by the Architect’s System and inheriting the Shadow Monarch’s power from Ashborn, Jinwoo becomes a walking cheat code and humanity’s last hope against the Monarchs. So, it’s no surprise that a man like him would do anything to save the woman he loves – Cha Hae-In, who gets injured on Jeju Island.
Who is Cha-Hae In?
Cha Hae-In is the only female S-Rank Hunter in South Korea and the ninth overall. Famous for her swordsmanship and agility, she serves as the Vice Guild Master of the Hunters Guild under Choi Jong-In’s leadership. Though exceptionally powerful, she is no match for the strongest beings in the series. While she can handle dungeon bosses, magic beasts, and weaker Monarchs, she still has to rely heavily on Jinwoo’s protection in critical moments, such as during her encounter with Ant King.
Hae-In has a rare ability to sense mana through smell, causing all Hunters and monsters to smell unpleasant to her, except for Jinwoo, whose scent she finds surprisingly good. This unusual exception invokes her curiosity, and she slowly becomes one of his closest allies. His unmatched strength and unwavering protection of her further deepen her feelings, and over time, Jinwoo begins to feel the same way about her.
What happens to Cha Hae-In?
As an S-Rank Hunter, Hae-In often finds herself in dangerous situations, fighting monstrously powerful enemies and suffering severe injuries. During the Jeju Island arc, after the Ant Queen is defeated at her hands, the Korean S-Rank hunters are met with an enraged Ant King. His aura is so menacing that Hae-In falls to her knees, unable to handle it because of her mana sensitivity. Seeing the Ant Queen’s corpse, the Ant King roars in fury and targets the Hunters. Hae-In, who is already struggling to stand, is the first one to be targeted as the Ant King appears behind her in blinding speed and punches her in the ribs, causing her to crash into a cave wall nearby. She is left unconscious by this fatal attack as the Ant King switches his target to the other Hunters.
The situation was pretty dire for both Hae-In and the other Hunters, and had Jinwoo not arrived in time via Shadow Exchange, they would have all been killed by the Ant King. Jinwoo summons several of his Shadows to wipe away the attacking ants and gives healing potions to the Hunters. While he manages to heal everyone else, Hae-In’s injuries are too severe for the healing potion to work. Jinwoo notices that her aura is getting weaker and plans to take her out of the nest.
How does Jinwoo save Cha Hae-In?
While Jinwoo is clearing a path, the Ant King returns after killing Goto to finish off the remaining Hunters. He asks Jinwoo if he is the King of humans and then acknowledges that he has a strong presence. They begin their battle, and the Ant King lands a powerful punch on him, which Jinwoo swiftly returns. While trading blows, the Ant King is pushed back and has to unleash his deadly stinger. Jinwoo easily heals himself from the stinger’s poison, making the Ant King even more desperate.
The Ant King quickly realizes he is no match for Jinwoo’s overwhelming strength and tries to run away. Jinwoo stops him using Ruler’s Authority and then activates Mutilate, slashing him to death. This brutal display of strength makes all the other ants run away, leaving the Hunters alone.
Jinwoo and the others then check on Hae-In, who is close to death. Jinwoo gives her the Elixir of Life potion as a last resort to save her life, but it doesn’t work. Desperate to save her life, Jinwoo revives Min Byung-Gyu as a Shadow Soldier to use his healing magic. Shadow Byung-Gyu casts a powerful healing spell on Hae-In, restoring her body and saving her life. Jinwoo then terminates his Shadow contract with Byung-Gyu to let his soul rest in peace and honor his last wish.
