Have you ever decided to hit a bandwagon finally? Well, strap yourselves right in folks because I'm about to show you one of my new favorite manhwas: Solo Leveling by Chu-Gong.
Where to read
So unlike other manhwas, this one isn't on webtoon, but so far, the best site I've found to read it on is Read manga online.
Summary
A decade ago, the world was forever changed when portals to special realms called "Dungeons" were created. From these dungeons, incredible and unpredictable monsters sprang forth, destroying all those whom they encounter. Fortunately for humanity, a small portion of the race was seemingly "awakened" with supernatural abilities beyond any normal man. Eventually, these beings were paid great money to fight these monsters inside the dungeons and use their resources for our benefit. These fabled individuals are called Hunters, and our story focuses on Sung Ji-Woo: the world's weakest hunter. But after completing a special trail and nearly dying because of it, the young man became a player in a mysterious force called the "System." With this system, Sung soon realized he can become stronger than he ever imagined or wanted.
Characters
Sung: In a society where strength determines everything, Sung was forced to live in misery as a hunter to try and take care of his family. After becoming a player for the system Sung's PTSD from his near-death causes him to develop new traits. Throughout the series, as we see him level up, he develops a strong need to improve, far more merciless, detached, and a partial fear and recklessness of his past events. However, his main personality still shines through in most of what he does.
He has shown to be very down to earth, not caring about fame and power over others. Sung is always willing to help others when he can, though, is cautious about showing his power to others. His main quest over the series is to help save his mother from her illness and help her sister through college.
Powers
I think that Sung's powers could be a little difficult to understand, so I'll sum it up here. Sung effectively has become a video game character. The system gives him special quests and requirements to quickly gain exp and level up while giving him the chance to increase his strength, agility, sense, intelligence, and vitality. The system also gives him his secure dungeons, an inventory/ store that holds numerous weapons and gear plus the ability to use the powers of other difficult enemies he's defeated. The problem is the system can also bring out bad penalties if he doesn't complete certain requirements, which forces him to get stronger.
Overview
Solo leveling has got to have some of the most beautiful art I have ever seen in a manhwa. The shading is so good that it makes critical moments all the greater. The character design truly makes the many monsters of the series incredibly varied and downright terrifying. This series knows it's just an excuse for cool op fights, and it certainly delivers. Every major fight is amazing at building the hype and excitement that reading becomes almost addicting. I've never seen a series display this much weight when it comes to absolute power. One of the biggest advantages of the comic is in its tone as well.
This is a world where hunters are given special treatment above even the law, for good or ill. Entire territories can be filled to the brim with seemingly endless and dangerous city-destroying monsters at any time. And hunters are so few and far (with only 10% of the 7 million awakened being hunters) in between with such set power levels that they can often end up in endless cycles of poverty. The Webtoon, while having a bunch of RPG like motifs they never shy away from exploring these darker themes.
If I have only one complaint of the series itself is that while yes, I do know that Sung is supposed to be op, I feel like his leveling and progression was too short and fast. Just because he is powerful doesn't mean that his wins have to be clear cut. But this is a nitpick of any op mc story so it does fall a little on deaf ears.
Epilogue
I'm glad to shine a light on this manhwa, and I hope that much comes in its future. There is a light novel for the series for those interested, and I can't wait for where the story goes next. I hope you enjoyed these spotlights, and I hope you stick around for where the light takes us next.