This article contains spoilers for Solo Leveling.
Solo Leveling has become an absolute sensation all over the world, thanks to the incredible anime adaptation by A-1 Pictures. With its fast-paced and intense battles, fans can't get enough, and ever since the very first anime episode, they have been absolutely hooked. Of course, it is quite clear to see that Solo Leveling became absolutely massive after the release of the TV anime, but
None of this success would've been possible without the original Solo Leveling novel.
Solo Leveling Author Confirms Big Plans For A New Sequel Series
A new sequel might be coming for Solo Leveling as revealed by the original creator.
The Solo Leveling novel was created by an incredibly talented author named Chugong. Sadly, Chugong's work concluded in 2018, and since then he hasn't written more content related to the universe. While Chugong does answer Q&As often, fans really want to see a new side story written by him. Luckily, that might be happening soon. Last year, Chugong revealed that he intends to create side stories for some of his Solo Leveling characters, with Igris and Ashborn being two characters that he referenced directly. Naturally, this has excited the fans quite a bit, and it goes to show that more original Solo Leveling content is on the way.
Chugong Wants To Create Side Stories For Igris And Ashborn
- Igris is One of Jinwoo’s Shadows
- Ashborn is the Former Shadow Monarch
- Chugong Confirmed Major Side Stories In 2025
Solo Leveling was initially created by one man, a South Korean writer known as Chugong. In 2016, he started writing Solo Leveling and finally, this story was concluded in 2018. It goes without saying that fans are craving more canon content from Chugong himself. Luckily, a year ago, in a blog post on dcinside, Chugong revealed that he would like to indeed create more side stories for Solo Leveling. Specifically, he wants to write more about the characters of Igris and Ashborn.
As fans know already, Igris is one of Jinwoo's shadows at the moment. He was first revealed to the fans in Season 1 of Solo Leveling, and after he was defeated by Jinwoo, fans knew that he became a loyal servant of the protagonist of the series. Since then, he hasn't looked back and the rest is history. In many ways, it can even be said that Igris took the position of the right-hand man for Jinwoo.
I am the record of your struggles, the evidence of your resistance, and the reward of your sufferings. I am death, I am eternal rest, I am terror. - Ashborn to Sung Jinwoo, Solo Leveling Manhwa
As far as Ashborn goes, fans know that he has yet to make an anime appearance, but he is essential for the Solo Leveling plot. Ashborn is the former Shadow Monarch, and he has a major role to play in the future of the series. As manhwa fans probably know already, Ashborn is the one who gives Jinwoo his biggest power-up. He should make his appearance either in the next Solo Leveling movie, or in Solo Leveling Season 3 — whichever comes first.
The Lore Of Solo Leveling Will Be Greatly Expanded With New Side Stories
If Chugong does indeed write side stories for the characters of Igris and Ashborn, it would allow fans to learn more about these characters and in turn, elevate them to new heights. But, what's even more interesting is that it would greatly expand the lore of Solo Leveling, especially seeing the roles these characters have held previously.
Ashborn is especially important, given that he is the former Shadow Monarch. If his side story is fully explored, fans could get to see more of the Absolute Being, and details about how things went down back then. Solo Leveling fans don’t know much about the Absolute Being, and many things from the time of Ashborn still remain a mystery. The full battle between the Ruler and the Monarchs and Absolute Being might even fully unfold. If that's the case, fans could see Ashborn and Igris fighting side by side.
Igris Is Already Getting A Mini Backstory Through Solo Leveling: Arise
- Igris’s Real Life as Sian Halat Will Be Explored Soon
- Igris’s Backstory Will Be Released On January 15
At the moment, Chugong doesn't seem to be writing any side stories himself. However, Igris might be getting a backstory very soon. He is being added as his human form to Solo Leveling: Arise, and to promote that, a backstory will be created for him as a Manhwa chapter for fans to enjoy.
Fans will get to see Igris before he became a shadow or, in other words, in his human days. His human form is, of course, based on the details given by Chugong previously, such as his long grey hair, and blue eyes.
“Finally, the one many Hunters have been waiting for is here. Igris, the most loyal sword of the Monarch of Shadows, comes to you under the name “Sian Halat.”
He will join as a powerful “Dark Element Elemental Stacker.” As previously teased, he will unleash overwhelming destructive power at the center of the new combat meta. Please look forward to his crimson slash that will sweep across the battlefield.” — Solo Leveling Arise Team
Sung Jinwoo's Next Adventure After Solo Leveling Is Coming
A new Solo Leveling sequel might be on the way, and it will center on Sung Jinwoo again.
This backstory is being released on January 15, 2026. Fans are excited to explore Igris's real life as Sian Halat. Even though a lot about him remains a mystery, a few details have been revealed by the author previously. Fans know, for example, that Sian held the title of Igris of the Battlefield while he was still a human.
Fans also know that Sian was a famous Knight before becoming a shadow. Learning more about this fan favorite character will certainly be exciting.
Chugong's Future Plans For Solo Leveling
- Chugong Wants to Write a Solo Leveling Sequel Someday
- Chugong Would Like to Write a Story About Jinwoo and Joohee
Fans are definitely excited for the side stories that Chugong will eventually come up with for both Igris and Ashborn. But, at the moment, neither of these two seems to be in the works by him. It's unclear, for example, how involved Chugong is in the backstory of Sian Halat for the Solo Leveling: Arise game.
Nevertheless, these two side stories aside, Chugong has previously stated that he wants to create more content for Solo Leveling, and some of them have a romantic undertone to them. For instance, fans know that in Solo Leveling Ragnarok, Sung Jinwoo ends up with Cha Hae-In. However, Chugong has previously expressed the desire to explore Jinwoo's story with another character. Fans already know this character as Joo Hee. She and Jinwoo had some romantic tension before the author chose to cut her out of the story.
Aside from that, Chugong has also expressed wanting to create a new sequel, separate from Solo Leveling: Ragnarok. As fans know, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok is created by a different author, and Chugong seems to want to create another story for Jinwoo after the original novel ended. Sadly, none of these projects is currently in the works, at least not officially. Fans will have to wait for more information from Chugong in the future.