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In Sung Jin-Woo's Shadow Army, every soldier has a story — and that of Greed is one of the most intense. For before becoming a shadow loyal to the Monarch, Greed was a fierce enemy: the hunter Hwang Dongsoo, who had come seeking revenge. Here is the full story of this General-grade shadow, born from the death of a formidable adversary.
Who is Greed?
Greed is one of Sung Jin-Woo's shadow soldiers. Specifically, he is the shadow extracted from the Korean-American S-rank hunter Hwang Dongsoo. Classified as a General-grade shadow, Greed counts among the most powerful soldiers in the Shadow Army — a significant asset in the Monarch's arsenal.
To discover this entire legendary army, read our guide on Jin-Woo's Shadow Army, alongside Beru and the other soldiers.
From Hwang Dongsoo to Greed: a tale of vengeance
Before he was a shadow, Hwang Dongsoo was a mortal enemy of Jin-Woo. The younger brother of Hwang Dongsuk — whom Jin-Woo had killed earlier — he harbored a tenacious hatred for the hero and had only one goal: to make him pay. His quest for vengeance drove him to commit cruel acts, going so far as to target those close to Jin-Woo.
The extraction: the birth of Greed
Hwang Dongsoo's fate was sealed at the International Guild Conference. After Jin-Woo got the better of Thomas Andre, Hwang Dongsoo confronted him to satisfy his desire for revenge. But he had committed an unforgivable act: torturing Yoo Jinho, Jin-Woo's faithful companion.
The punishment was absolute. Jin-Woo killed Hwang Dongsoo, then — thanks to his power as the Shadow Monarch — extracted his shadow from his corpse and named it Greed. Thus, the most hateful enemy became a loyal servant: a chilling display of Jin-Woo's power. Follow his entire journey in the complete profile on Sung Jin-Woo.
A General-grade soldier
Not all shadows are equal: the Shadow Army has its own rank hierarchy. Greed attained the rank of General, one of the highest, making him an elite shadow. This power reflects the strength Hwang Dongsoo possessed while alive — now entirely at the service of Jin-Woo.
The power of the Shadow Monarch
Greed perfectly illustrates the central mechanic of Jin-Woo: shadow extraction. Every defeated enemy — human or monster — can potentially become a soldier, resurrected in shadow form. The more powerful the adversary, the more powerful the shadow. This is what makes the Shadow Monarch an army unto himself. To understand this ability, see our System guide.
Greed, a fan-favorite shadow
Hwang Dongsoo's arc and the creation of Greed are among the most memorable moments in the story: they are highly anticipated in the upcoming episodes of the anime produced by A-1 Pictures. Seeing such a detestable enemy join the shadow army is one of those plot twists that make Solo Leveling so gripping.
Going further
Explore all Solo Leveling characters, dive into the universe and lore, and find all shadow merchandise in the Shadow Army collection.
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Frequently asked questions about Greed
Who is Greed in Solo Leveling?
Greed is a shadow soldier of Sung Jin-Woo, extracted from the hunter Hwang Dongsoo. He is a General-grade shadow, one of the most powerful in the army.
Whose shadow is Greed?
Greed is the shadow of Hwang Dongsoo, a Korean-American S-rank hunter who sought revenge against Jin-Woo.
How did Jin-Woo obtain Greed?
After defeating Thomas Andre, Jin-Woo killed Hwang Dongsoo — who had tortured Yoo Jinho — and extracted his shadow, naming it Greed.
What is Greed's rank?
Greed is a General-grade shadow, one of the highest ranks in the Shadow Army's hierarchy.
Read also: Kargalgan, the High Orc leader who became Tusk.
Read also: the Sung Jin-Woo vs. Thomas Andre fight.
Read also: Hwang Dongsuk, the leader of the Lizards.
