9 Years Later, Solo Leveling Finally Reveals Beloved Character’s Tragic Backstory

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The story of Solo Leveling, originally a web novel by Chugong and then a popular manhwa, became a worldwide hit, gaining a large international fanbase even before the anime came out. This strong following meant the anime was almost certain to succeed, and it did, quickly breaking streaming records on Crunchyroll. While fans are waiting for news about season three, the Solo Leveling franchise has expanded with a new role-playing game, Solo Leveling: Arise, released in the U.S. this November. Developed by Netmarble, the game is free to play on PC, iOS, and Android, and uses a ‘gacha’ system where players can use Tickets to unlock items.

The game features both characters from the original story and new ones, all set in the same world. They’re facing a fresh challenge with the arrival of mysterious gates. A popular character from the series, Igris, is included, and players will discover his past life as a human named Sian Halat. Because the original story didn’t delve into Igris’s history, fans are now learning everything about his life before he became the shadow he is known as. A glimpse of his human form went viral in December 2025, and now his heartbreaking story is finally being told.

What Happened in Igris’ Past in Solo Leveling?

This month, a YouTube video revealed the story of Igris’s past, detailing his life before he met Ashborn. Once a human Knight Captain, Igris often felt he was being watched by a powerful entity. After earning the king’s favor, he became the target of jealous nobles who plotted against him. When summoned urgently to the castle despite his wife’s worries, Igris left, only to be ambushed by soldiers. However, he skillfully defeated them all, intentionally allowing himself to be drawn into the trap, confident in his ability to win.

I never expected things to go so horribly wrong. That arrogant noble just snatched my wife and held my soldiers hostage! I had no choice but to give myself up, hoping to protect them all. But it wasn’t enough. He killed me and everyone I loved, and I was filled with such regret as I faded away. It was in those final moments, staring into the abyss, that I felt that strange presence again. That’s how I first encountered the Shadow Monarch, millennia ago. Thankfully, the System came along, giving me a chance to fight Jinwoo and eventually become one of his most trusted shadows. It’s been a long journey, born from tragedy, but I finally found a purpose.

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2026-01-16 22:49