Solo Leveling: ARISE update adds Monarch of Shadows Sung Jinwoo for free

by Paul McNally Last Updated July 31, 2026

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Netmarble has released a major new Solo Leveling: ARISE update, introducing a powerful new version of Sung Jinwoo alongside another hunter, increased level caps, additional story chapters, and a revamped endgame challenge.

The headline addition is Sung Jinwoo – Monarch of Shadows, a new Dark-element Successor character based around fighting alongside his summoned shadows.

Unlike the existing versions of Jinwoo, the Monarch of Shadows can transform during combat and perform combo attacks in tandem with his army. His abilities include Mirage Blade, which strikes enemies using a blade of death, and Sovereign Doom, an attack that unleashes the Breath of Destruction before condemning its target to an endless death.

Players will not need to rely on a limited-time banner to unlock him, either. Netmarble says anyone can obtain Monarch of Shadows Sung Jinwoo by completing a series of in-game missions.

The recruitment event has no scheduled end date, meaning both existing and future players will be able to add him to their roster without having to rush through the required objectives.

Jung Yerim joins Solo Leveling: ARISE

The update also introduces Jung Yerim, a new Fire-element Supporter designed to strengthen fire-focused teams.

Jung Yerim can heal allies and provide shields while increasing several offensive attributes, including Fire Overload damage, Burst damage, Attack Power, and Ultimate Move damage.

That combination makes her a versatile support option capable of improving a team’s survivability while also increasing its overall damage output.

Alongside the two new characters, Sung Jinwoo’s maximum level has been raised from 150 to 160. Players can also unlock a new job called Monarch of Shadows: Vanquisher.

The Workshop of Brilliant Light has received an overhaul as part of the update, with Baran, the Monarch of White Flames, now appearing as its primary boss.

Two more Hidden Chapters have also been added. Hidden Chapters 11 and 12 are available to play across both Normal and Reverse Normal difficulties.

Several limited-time events are now underway, including Midnight Mermaid Mayhem, giving players additional opportunities to collect upgrade materials and other rewards.

Solo Leveling: ARISE is an action RPG adaptation of the popular Solo Leveling webtoon. Players control Sung Jinwoo throughout his rise from one of humanity’s weakest hunters to an overwhelmingly powerful warrior capable of commanding an Army of Shadows.

The game allows players to equip different weapons and skills, recruit hunters featured in the original story, and summon defeated enemies using Jinwoo’s trademark command: “Arise.”

About the Author

Paul McNally has been a prominent games journalist since the 1990s, spending over a decade editing top-selling magazines and websites.

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