Beru – Solo Leveling WIKI

Beru (베르) is one of the most popular character in the Solo Leveling series. He is known for his fierce loyalty, terrifying power, and surprising charm. As the shadow of the Ant King & an S-Rank Magic Beast, Beru serves as one of Sung Jinwoo’s most trusted and powerful shadow soldiers. Beru’s transformation from being a formidable enemy to becoming a loyal companion is filled with thrilling battles, humorous moments, and heartfelt loyalty.

Overview :

Beru is a high-ranking shadow soldier in the hit manhwa and web novel Solo Leveling. Originally introduced as the Ant King, a deadly and intelligent magical beast that wreaked havoc on Jeju Island, Beru is later revived and reborn as one of Sung Jin-Woo’s most powerful and loyal shadows. With a unique combination of terrifying power, unwavering loyalty, and surprisingly polite behavior, Beru quickly became a fan-favorite character.

• ‣ Name – Beru (베르)
• ‣ Alias – Ant King
• ‣ Gender – Male
• ‣ Species – Shadow (Formerly Ant King, S-Rank Magic Beast)
• ‣ Rank – General Grade (initially), Marshal Grade (later)
• ‣ Affiliation – Sung Jinwoo’s Shadow Army
• ‣ Status – Active
• ‣ First Appearance:
  • • Webtoon – Chapter 105
  • • Novel – Chapter 124
  • • Anime – Episode 25 (Season 2, Episode 13)
• ‣ Voice Actors:
  • • Japanese – Akira Ishida
  • • English – Jason Liebrecht

Background & Origin :

Beru’s story is deeply tied to the Jeju Island Arc and his evolution within Jinwoo’s shadow army. Below is a detailed look at his journey across key arcs in Solo Leveling and its sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok.

Jeju Island Arc

Beru first appears as the Ant King, the hidden boss of the S-Rank Gate on Jeju Island. For years, the island was overrun by ant-like magic beasts led by their queen, defying multiple raid attempts by Korean and Japanese hunters. The Ant King, born to protect and lead the colony, emerges as the true threat, overpowering even elite S-Rank hunters like Goto Ryuji and Min Byung-Gyu with ease.

When Sung Jinwoo, newly reawakened as an S-Rank hunter & later joins the fourth Jeju Island raid, he confronts the Ant King in a brutal battle. Sensing Jinwoo’s overwhelming power, the Ant King feels fear for the first time before being defeated. Jinwoo uses his Shadow Monarch ability to extract the Ant King’s shadow, surprised to find it can speak. When the shadow requests a name, Jinwoo dubs him “Beru” and orders him to wipe out the remaining ants, marking Beru’s first act of loyalty.

Ahjin Guild Arc

Beru plays a key role when Cha Hae-In asks to join Jinwoo’s Ahjin Guild. To test her strength, Jinwoo pits her against Beru after she defeats Igris, ordering Beru not to harm her. Beru complies at first, but when Cha stabs him in the back, his bloodlust takes over, and he nearly attacks her with lethal force. Jinwoo intervenes just in time, grabbing Beru’s hand and reminding him of his orders. This incident highlights Beru’s struggle to control his instincts, even as a shadow.

Double Dungeon Arc

Beru continues to grow stronger as Jinwoo levels up, accompanying him on various raids. During an A-Rank Gate raid in Busan, Jinwoo senses his sister Jinah is in danger and summons Beru to take his place. Beru obliterates the dungeon’s magic beasts, including the boss, with a single strike, impressing the Knights Guild and showcasing his dominance.

Japan Crisis Arc

When giants emerge from an S-Rank Gate in Tokyo, Beru joins Jinwoo’s shadow army to combat the threat. He assists in taking down a giant guarding the gate, demonstrating his teamwork with other shadows like Igris and Tusk. His speed and strength make him a vital asset in large-scale battles.

International Guild Conference Arc

As Jinwoo raids A-Rank Gates solo to level up, Beru accompanies him, advancing from General to Marshal Grade. During a test against the Frost Monarch, Beru fights valiantly but is defeated with a single blow, revealing the gap between him and a Monarch. Despite this, his growth solidifies his position as one of Jinwoo’s top shadows.

Monarchs War Arc

Beru participates in the war against the Monarchs, facing off against their armies. When trapped in the Frost Monarch’s ice prison, he tries to rally the other shadows but grows frustrated at their failure to break free. Later, he helps protect Jinwoo’s allies, including Yoo Jinho, from threats like Hwang Dongsoo, proving his reliability in critical moments.

Final Battle Arc

In the climactic battle against the Monarchs, Beru fights alongside Jinwoo’s full shadow army. His ferocity shines as he tears through enemy forces, though he defers to Bellion, the Grand-Marshal Grade shadow, who outranks him. After Jinwoo resets the timeline to erase Gates, Beru remains in existence since he was born recently and has no living counterpart in the new timeline.

Solo Leveling: Ragnarok

In the sequel, Beru takes on a major role as the deuteragonist. With Jinwoo absent, fighting the Itarim in another dimension, Beru is tasked with unsealing the memories and powers of Jinwoo’s son, Sung Suho. Reduced to a floating head due to transferring his power to Suho, Beru becomes Suho’s mentor and protector. He trains Suho to use the same leveling system as his father, guiding him through battles against the Itarim’s forces. Beru’s bond with Suho, whom he babysat as a child, adds warmth to their dynamic, blending humor with heartfelt loyalty.

Appearance :

In his original form as the Ant King, Beru looked like a towering humanoid ant with a sleek, black exoskeleton and glowing red eyes. After being reborn as a shadow, Beru retained his ant-like features but gained a more ominous, shadowy presence. His glowing violet eyes, dark aura, and sleek, powerful frame make him one of the most visually intimidating characters in the series.

Personality :

Beru’s personality is a fascinating mix of ferocity, loyalty, and unexpected humor, making him one of the most dynamic characters in the series.

• ‣ Bloodlust and Brutality: Born to kill, Beru revels in battle and has an innate thirst for violence. As the Ant King, he slaughtered countless S-Rank hunters without mercy. Even as a shadow, he remains ruthless, targeting enemies’ weak spots and rarely holding back unless ordered by Jinwoo. His savage nature shines during fights, where he tears through opponents with glee.
• ‣ Fierce Loyalty: Beru’s devotion to Sung Jinwoo is unwavering. He refers to Jinwoo as “Your Majesty” or “My King,” treating him with utmost respect and fear. This loyalty extends to Jinwoo’s family, particularly his sister Jinah and son Suho, whom Beru protects with his life. His willingness to serve makes him a cornerstone of Jinwoo’s shadow army.
• ‣ Playful and Human Side: Outside of battle, Beru reveals a surprisingly endearing side. He develops a love for Korean period dramas, which influences his speech to sound formal and archaic, adding a comedic flair. He’s also playful, often teasing other shadow soldiers or complimenting Jinwoo mid-fight. His softer side is especially evident when babysitting Suho or guarding Jinah, where he shows patience and care.
• ‣ Condescension Toward Peers: Beru can be arrogant toward other shadow soldiers, calling them “peasants” or yelling at them for failing to follow his lead, as seen during the Frost Monarch’s ice prison incident. However, he respects stronger shadows like Igris and Bellion, even if he competes with them for Jinwoo’s favor.

Abilities & Powers :

Beru is among Jinwoo’s most powerful shadows, with a versatile skill set that makes him a nightmare on the battlefield. His abilities evolve as he rises from General to Marshal Grade.

• ‣ Immense Strength – Beru possesses colossal physical strength, capable of shaking Jeju Island with a single screech as the Ant King. He can overpower S-Rank hunters like Goto Ryuji effortlessly and match Monarch-level foes in later arcs.
• ‣ Unbreakable Endurance – His durability allows him to withstand heavy hits, including attacks from Bellion and Jinwoo himself. He can tank blows that would destroy lesser shadows.
• ‣ Flight – Beru’s smoky wings grant him high-speed flight, giving him agility and the ability to strike from any angle.
• ‣ Size Manipulation – Beru can grow or shrink his body at will, amplifying his strength for devastating attacks or shrinking to evade or intimidate.
• ‣ Paralysis Poison – By devouring a sea snail, Beru gained the ability to produce paralytic venom, immobilizing enemies with a single strike.
• ‣ Healing Magic – Beru is one of the few shadows with healing abilities, capable of restoring himself or allies to full health, even regenerating lost limbs. This skill mirrors Min Byung-Gyu’s powers, acquired through gluttony.
• ‣ Gluttony – Beru can absorb the powers, knowledge, and energy of those he devours, enhancing his own abilities. This makes him a versatile fighter who adapts to new threats.
• ‣ Regeneration – Like all shadows, Beru can regenerate as long as Jinwoo has mana, making him nearly immortal in battle.
• ‣ Conversation – As a high-ranking shadow, Beru can speak fluently, using formal, drama-inspired language that adds humor to his interactions.
• ‣ Immense Speed – Beru’s speed is massively hypersonic, allowing him to blitz S-Rank hunters and keep up with Jinwoo in combat.

Weaknesses :

• ‣ Beru’s regeneration depends on Jinwoo’s mana reserves.
• ‣ His bloodlust can override orders, as seen during his fight with Cha Hae-In, though this diminishes as he grows more disciplined.

Relationships :

Beru’s connections with other characters highlight his loyalty and personality.

• ‣ Sung Jinwoo – Beru views Jinwoo as his king, fearing and revering him above all. He follows orders without question (mostly) and takes pride in serving the Shadow Monarch. Their banter, especially Beru’s compliments mid-battle, adds levity to their bond.
• ‣ Sung Suho – In Ragnarok, Beru acts as Suho’s mentor and guardian, having babysat him as a baby. Their relationship is both comedic and touching, with Beru fiercely protective of Jinwoo’s son.
• ‣ Cha Hae-In – Beru nearly kills Cha during their test fight but grows to respect her as Jinwoo’s ally and eventual wife. He later protects her and her family.
• ‣ Sung Jinah – Beru guards Jinwoo’s sister during a crisis at her school, showing care by turning on the TV to comfort her, though he gets distracted by dramas.
• ‣ Other Shadows:
  • • Igris – Beru competes with Igris for Jinwoo’s favor but respects his strength and loyalty. They often work together in battle.
  • • Bellion – Beru is outranked by Bellion, the strongest shadow, and loses to him in a sparring match. He grudgingly accepts Bellion’s superiority.
  • • Tusk, Iron, etc. – Beru looks down on lesser shadows, calling them “peasants,” but coordinates with them when needed.

Famous Quotes By Beru :

• ‣ “Please grant me a name, Your Majesty.” – Beru’s first words to Jinwoo, showing his instant loyalty.
• ‣ “Peasants! Break free at once!” – Beru yelling at other shadows in the Frost Monarch’s prison, revealing his arrogance.
• ‣ “My King’s brilliance knows no bounds!” – Beru complimenting Jinwoo mid-battle, a classic example of his devotion.
• ‣ “Young master, fear not—I, Beru, shall guide you!” – Beru to Suho in Ragnarok, embracing his mentor role.
• ‣ “My liege, I have sinned… Please, allow me another chance to prove myself.”
• ‣ “Shall I eliminate them, my liege?”
• ‣ “I am your loyal servant, until the end.”

Trivia :

• ‣ Beru’s name comes from Bernard Werber’s Empire of the Ants, reflecting Jinwoo’s habit of naming shadows after literary references.
• ‣ His love for Korean period dramas makes him speak in an archaic, formal tone, which fans find hilarious.
• ‣ Beru’s chibi head form in Ragnarok was a surprise to readers, turning the once-terrifying Ant King into an adorable sidekick.
• ‣ He’s one of the few shadows to survive the timeline reset, as he had no living counterpart in the new world.
• ‣ Beru’s voice actors, Akira Ishida (Japanese) and Jason Liebrecht (English), bring out his mix of menace and charm, earning praise from anime fans.
• ‣ In Solo Leveling: Arise, Beru can be unlocked after completing Chapter 23, Episode 7, costing 1,000 Traces of Shadow to fully promote him to General Rank.

Conclusion :

Beru stands as one of the most iconic characters in Solo Leveling. From a terrifying antagonist to a noble warrior at the protagonist’s side, his transformation reflects one of the series’ core themes: growth and redemption. Fans mainly like Beru for his badass moments, emotional loyalty, and memorable personality.