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Some of Sung Jin-Woo's enemies eventually become his most loyal servants. Kargalgan, the fearsome High Orc shaman, is the perfect example: a cruel and overpowered boss, he is also the monster who realizes, in the middle of battle, that Jin-Woo is a Monarch… before being reborn as a shadow under the name Tusk. Here is his complete story.
Who is Kargalgan?
Kargalgan is a High Orc shaman and the boss of a high-level dungeon (the Hunters Guild gate). He is an S-rank boss at the head of the High Orcs. Unlike ordinary beastly monsters, he is intelligent, calculating, and particularly cruel: he takes pleasure in tormenting the humans he encounters.
As a shaman, his strength does not lie only in his muscles: he wields devastating orc magic, making him an opponent on an entirely different level. To understand this danger, check out our guide on dungeons, gates, and breaks.
The High Orcs: Intelligent Monsters
The High Orcs are no mere brutes. Capable of strategy and even communicating with humans, they form an organized warrior society. Kargalgan is their leader: he commands a disciplined army and elite guards. It is this intelligence that makes the confrontation so tense—the enemy anticipates, schemes, and despises its prey.
The Encounter with Sung Jin-Woo
Jin-Woo crosses paths with Kargalgan during an A-rank dungeon raid, at a time when he is still awaiting his S-rank license: in the eyes of the group, he is just a modest E-rank hunter. The shaman, in a fit of sadism, tortures the hunter Ki-Hoon and orders the execution of all the hunters. That is when Jin-Woo intervenes to save the human.
What follows descends into shock: Jin-Woo sends an elite orc guard flying with a single gesture. Kargalgan's anger turns to confusion, then fear. To understand the hierarchy of fighters, read our article on hunter ranks.
The Moment of Truth: "He is a Monarch"
The turning point of the battle: Jin-Woo adds the fallen High Orcs to his Shadow Army, right before the eyes of their leader. In that instant, Kargalgan realizes the unthinkable: the being before him is not a presumptuous human, but a true Monarch—a rank reserved for the most terrifying entities in the universe. Discover this caste in our dossier on Rulers and Monarchs.
From Kargalgan to Tusk: An Elite Shadow
In a final desperate burst, Kargalgan fights—and loses. Jin-Woo extracts him as a shadow soldier and renames him Tusk. Far from being a mere soldier, Tusk becomes one of the five most powerful shadows in Jin-Woo's entire army, a formidable shadow mage.
This destiny recalls that of Greed: a hateful enemy transformed into a loyal servant. Find this entire army in our dossier on the Shadow Army and follow the master's ascent in our Sung Jin-Woo dossier.
Kargalgan in the Anime
The battle against Kargalgan is one of the high points of Season 2 of the anime produced by A-1 Pictures, driven by spectacular orc magic effects. It is also a key moment: the first time an opponent openly identifies Jin-Woo as a Monarch.
To Go Further
Explore all Solo Leveling characters, dive into the universe and lore, and find shadow merch in our Shadow Army collection.
DISCOVER IN THE SHOP
Join the Shadow Army, like Tusk:
Frequently Asked Questions about Kargalgan
Who is Kargalgan in Solo Leveling?
Kargalgan is a High Orc shaman, an S-rank dungeon boss, and the chieftain of the High Orcs, known for his devastating magic and cruelty toward humans.
Does Kargalgan become one of Jin-Woo's shadows?
Yes: after his defeat, Jin-Woo extracts him as a shadow soldier and renames him Tusk, who becomes one of the five most powerful shadows in his army.
Who is Tusk in Solo Leveling?
Tusk is the name given to Kargalgan's shadow once extracted by Sung Jin-Woo: a powerful shadow mage at the top of the Shadow Army hierarchy.
Why is Kargalgan afraid of Jin-Woo?
Because, upon seeing him extract shadows, he understands that Jin-Woo is not a mere human but a Monarch, the caste of the most powerful entities.
