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This is THE battle that transforms an ordinary hunter into a legend. Sung Jin-Woo vs. Igris: the ultimate trial that leads Jin-Woo to take his seat on the throne of the Shadow Monarch and gain his very first knight. A legendary clash, full of twists and turns, which we explain here in detail — from the initial despair to the legendary comeback.
The context: the Job Change Quest
After surviving the double dungeon and becoming the System's "Player," Jin-Woo receives a unique quest: the Job Change Quest. What is at stake is immense — it is no longer about gaining a level, but about becoming the vessel of the Shadow Monarch, the one who will sit on the empty throne. To understand this mechanic, see our System guide.
Blood-Red Commander Igris, guardian of the throne
At the end of the trial stands the dungeon boss: Igris, the Blood-Red Commander. A knight of overwhelming presence and power, he guards the throne with sword in hand. His mission: to judge whether the candidate is worthy of becoming king. Discover everything about him in our dedicated Igris profile.
A battle lost from the start?
The duel begins with a lesson in humility. Igris completely dominates Jin-Woo: he tosses him around like a puppet, takes his blows without flinching, and finally brutally throws him against the throne. Exhausted and on the ground, Jin-Woo seems doomed. Igris then steps forward to offer him a "clean" death, sword raised. It all seems over.
The turnaround: blocking the blade with bare hands
And that is where the legend is born. The moment the sword comes down, Jin-Woo stops it with his bare hands — a move of insane audacity that catches Igris completely by surprise. In the process, he stabs his dagger into the knight's left eye, unbalancing him for the first time in the fight.
The finishing blow: Fatal Strike
Igris removes the dagger from his eye… but Jin-Woo instantly retrieves it via his inventory (a trick unique to the System) and follows up. Aiming for the unprotected area under the neck, he unleashes his Fatal Strike skill in a series of lightning-fast hits. Unable to defend himself, Igris finally yields, and Jin-Woo drives his dagger into his head. The giant collapses.
The truth: Igris was testing Jin-Woo
This fight hides a secret revealed later. Igris was not just a simple guard: he was one of the lieutenants of Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch, in his army of old. His mission was not to kill Jin-Woo, but to put him to the test: to verify that the chosen one was truly worthy of succeeding his master. By defeating him, Jin-Woo proves he is the legitimate successor.
The consequences: the birth of the Shadow Monarch
The victory changes everything. Jin-Woo gains access to the hidden class of Shadow Monarch and unlocks his master skill: Shadow Extraction, which allows him to resurrect his defeated enemies as soldiers. And the very first one to join his ranks is none other than Igris himself, extracted as a shadow after his defeat. Follow his entire ascent in the Sung Jin-Woo profile.
Igris, the most loyal knight
Having become a shadow, Igris rises to become one of the most powerful and loyal soldiers in Jin-Woo's army. From guardian of the throne, he becomes the right-hand man of the one he judged worthy. Discover his entire army in the Shadow Army profile.
A cult fight in the anime
On screen, this duel is the climax of season 1 of the anime — the episode dubbed "The Birth of a Monarch." Powered by the animation of A-1 Pictures and the soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano, it is considered one of the most striking moments in the entire series. Relive it via our Season 1 episode guide.
To go further
Explore the universe and lore, all the Solo Leveling characters, and find the Shadow Army merch in the dedicated collection.
DISCOVER IN THE SHOP
Igris merch, the first shadow knight:
Frequently asked questions about the Jin-Woo vs. Igris battle
How does Jin-Woo beat Igris?
Dominated throughout the fight, Jin-Woo blocks Igris's sword with his bare hands, stabs his dagger into his eye, then finishes him off with a series of Fatal Strikes under the neck.
Why does Igris fight Jin-Woo?
Igris, a former lieutenant of Ashborn, was tasked with testing Jin-Woo to verify that he was worthy of becoming the successor to the Shadow Monarch.
What does Jin-Woo gain by beating Igris?
He gains access to the Shadow Monarch class, unlocks Shadow Extraction, and Igris becomes his very first shadow soldier.
In which episode does the fight against Igris take place?
The duel is the climax of season 1 of the anime, the episode dubbed "The Birth of a Monarch."
Read also: the most epic battles in Solo Leveling.
