Chapter 174 Summary
The sky over the ruined city was a bruised violet, the last remnants of daylight fighting a losing battle against the encroaching darkness. The wind carried the scent of ash and the distant echo of collapsing stone, a reminder that the world had already begun to crumble under the weight of the End of the World arc. In the heart of this desolation, a solitary figure stood atop the shattered remains of a once‑grand cathedral, his silhouette framed by the flickering embers of a dying world.
Sung Jin‑Woo, the Shadow Monarch, surveyed the battlefield with eyes that seemed to pierce through both time and space. The air around him crackled with a faint, violet hue, the signature of his shadow magic, and the ground beneath his feet trembled as if recognizing the presence of its master. He had spent countless battles carving a path through monsters, dungeons, and the very fabric of reality, but nothing had prepared him for the moment that now loomed ahead: the final showdown with Antares, the Monarch of Destruction.
The silence was broken by a soft rustle, and Cha Hae‑In stepped forward from the shadows, her silver hair catching the dying light. She moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter, her eyes never leaving Jin‑Woo’s. “You’re ready,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. “The world may be ending, but we still have a chance to change its fate.”
Jin‑Woo turned his gaze to her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve always believed that the world is a canvas, Hae‑In. And every brushstroke, no matter how dark, adds to the masterpiece.” He raised his hand, and a legion of shadows surged forward, forming a protective barrier that shimmered like liquid night.
Across the battlefield, the ground split open, and from the fissure rose a towering figure cloaked in obsidian armor. Antares, the Monarch of Destruction, exuded an aura of pure annihilation. His eyes glowed like twin suns, and the very air around him seemed to warp, as if reality itself recoiled from his presence. He lifted his massive sword, a blade forged from the remnants of shattered worlds, and the sound of its unsheathing resonated like a thunderclap.
“Jin‑Woo,” Antares boomed, his voice reverberating through the ruined city. “You have become a legend among mortals, but legends crumble when faced with true destruction.”
Jin‑Woo’s shadows tightened, forming a wall of darkness that pulsed with his heartbeat. “You underestimate the power of hope, Antares. Even in the darkest night, a single spark can ignite a blaze.”
The two monarchs stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Around them, the remnants of the Shadow Army gathered, their forms shifting between solid and ethereal, ready to obey their master’s command. The air crackled with the anticipation of a battle that would decide the fate of everything.
A sudden flash of light cut through the gloom as Thomas Andre, the former leader of the International Guild, descended from the sky on a winged construct of ancient technology. His armor, scarred from countless battles, glinted in the dim light. He landed beside Hae‑In, his expression grim yet resolute.
“Jin‑Woo,” Thomas called out, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand battles. “We’ve fought side by side for years. If there’s any chance to stop Antares, we must combine our strengths. The world may be ending, but we still have a chance to rewrite its ending.”
Jin‑Woo nodded, his eyes never leaving Antares. “Then let us begin.”
The clash began with a roar that shook the very foundations of the ruined city. Antares swung his massive sword, each strike sending shockwaves that rippled through the air. Jin‑Woo responded by summoning a legion of shadow soldiers, their forms flickering like candle flames in a storm. They surged forward, forming a wall that absorbed the impact of Antares’s blows, their bodies dissolving into darkness and reconstituting behind the monarch’s defenses.
Hae‑In moved with the fluidity of a seasoned hunter, her silver blades flashing as she darted between the shadows, striking at Antares’s exposed joints. Each cut was precise, a testament to her skill and her unwavering dedication to protecting the world she loved. Thomas Andre, meanwhile, unleashed a barrage of energy projectiles from his construct, each one striking Antares’s armor with a resonant clang that echoed across the battlefield.
The battle raged on, each side pushing the limits of their power. Antares’s sword, forged from the remnants of shattered worlds, clashed against Jin‑Woo’s shadow blades, creating sparks that illuminated the darkness like fleeting stars. The ground beneath them cracked and shifted, as if the very earth could not bear the weight of their conflict.
Jin‑Woo’s eyes glowed with a violet intensity as he called upon the deepest reserves of his shadow magic. “Shadow Monarch!” he shouted, and the shadows around him coalesced into a massive, towering figure—a manifestation of his own will, a dark colossus that rose from the ground like a night‑born titan. Its eyes burned with the same violet fire that coursed through Jin‑Woo’s veins, and its massive fists slammed into Antares’s sword, sending it spiraling into the sky.
Antares staggered, his armor cracking under the force of the blow. He snarled, a sound that seemed to tear at the very fabric of reality. “You think your shadows can stop the inevitable?” he roared, summoning a vortex of destructive energy that swirled around him like a black storm.
The vortex expanded, threatening to engulf the entire battlefield. Jin‑Woo’s shadows surged forward, forming a protective dome that shimmered with violet light. Within the dome, the world seemed to pause, the chaos outside muffled by a barrier of pure will.
“Now!” Hae‑In shouted, her voice cutting through the roar of the vortex. She leapt onto the dome’s edge, her silver blades glowing with a radiant light. With a swift motion, she thrust her swords into the heart of the vortex, her blades cutting through the darkness like twin shafts of sunrise. The vortex recoiled, its energy dispersing in a cascade of sparks.
Thomas Andre seized the moment, channeling the full power of his construct into a single, concentrated beam of energy. The beam struck Antares’s chest, piercing through his armor and searing his heart. Antares let out a guttural scream, his eyes flickering with a mixture of rage and disbelief.
“Impossible,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of battle. “How could a mere mortal…”
Jin‑Woo stepped forward, his shadow army forming a protective circle around Antares. “You are not a mere mortal,” he said, his voice resonating with authority. “You are a Monarch, but even monarchs can fall when faced with the resolve of those who fight for something greater than themselves.”
Antares’s sword clattered to the ground, and he fell to his knees, the darkness around him receding like a tide. The vortex that had threatened to consume the world dissipated, leaving only the faint glow of embers and the echo of distant thunder.
Silence settled over the battlefield, broken only by the ragged breaths of the combatants. Jin‑Woo lowered his hand, and the shadows that had formed the protective dome dissolved into the night, returning to their master’s command. Hae‑In approached Antares, her silver blades still humming with residual energy.
“Your reign of destruction ends here,” she said, her voice soft yet firm. “The world will rebuild, and we will ensure that the darkness never returns.”
Antares looked up at her, his eyes dimming as the last remnants of his power faded. “Perhaps… perhaps I was wrong,” he whispered, his voice a dying echo. “Perhaps there is… hope.”
With a final gasp, Antares’s form dissolved into a cascade of black particles, scattering into the wind like ash. The darkness that had clung to the world for so long began to lift, revealing a sky tinged with the first hints of dawn.
Jin‑Woo stood amidst the ruins, his heart beating in rhythm with the world’s rebirth. He turned to Hae‑In and Thomas, his expression one of quiet determination. “The battle is over, but the war for the world’s future has just begun,” he said. “We must rebuild, not just the structures, but the hope that lies within every heart.”
Hae‑In smiled, a gentle curve that seemed to bring warmth to the cold stone around them. “We will,” she replied. “Together, we will forge a new future.”
Thomas Andre nodded, his eyes reflecting the rising sun. “The world may have been on the brink of destruction, but we have proven that even in the darkest times, the light of humanity can shine brighter than any shadow.”
As the first rays of sunrise pierced the horizon, the trio stood side by side, their silhouettes framed against the emerging light. The Shadow Army, now dormant, waited for the next call, ready to serve their master whenever the world needed them.
In the distance, the remnants of the city began to stir. Survivors emerged from the shadows, their faces marked by both fear and hope. They looked upon the three heroes with reverence, their eyes reflecting the promise of a new beginning.
Jin‑Woo raised his hand, and a gentle wave of violet energy spread across the landscape, healing the wounds of the earth. The cracked streets mended, the broken walls rose anew, and the once‑dead trees sprouted fresh leaves. The world, scarred but resilient, began to breathe again.
The final battle had ended, but the story of the Shadow Monarch and his allies was far from over. The End of the World arc had reached its climax, and the world would never be the same. Yet, as long as there were those willing to stand against the darkness, the light would always find a way to shine.
The sun climbed higher, casting its golden glow over the reborn city. Jin‑Woo, Hae‑In, and Thomas stood together, their silhouettes now bathed in the warm light of a new day. The shadows that once threatened to consume everything were now a part of the world’s tapestry, a reminder of the battles fought and the victories won.
In the quiet moments that followed, Jin‑Woo reflected on the journey that had led him here. From a humble hunter to the Shadow Monarch, his path had been fraught with loss, sacrifice, and relentless determination. Yet, it was the bonds he forged—especially with Cha Hae‑In and Thomas Andre—that gave his power purpose.
He turned to his companions, his voice soft but resolute. “We have faced the ultimate darkness, and we have emerged stronger. Let this be the beginning of a new era, where the shadows protect rather than threaten.”
Hae‑In placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes shining with unwavering faith. “We will stand together, no matter what comes.”
Thomas raised his construct, its lights flickering in harmony with the sunrise. “The world may have been on the brink, but we have shown that hope can rise from the ashes. Let us build a future worthy of those who fought and fell.”
The three heroes walked forward, their steps echoing across the newly healed streets. The world, once teetering on the edge of oblivion, now pulsed with renewed life. The story of Solo Leveling Chapter 174 would be remembered not just for its epic showdown, but for the resilience of those who refused to surrender to despair.
As the day unfolded, whispers of the battle spread across the lands. Travelers spoke of the Shadow Monarch’s triumph, of the Monarch of Destruction’s fall, and of the unbreakable spirit of those who stood against the end. The legend of Jin‑Woo vs Antares became a beacon for future generations, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light within can never be extinguished.
The final chapter of the End of the World arc closed, but the pages of history continued to turn. New challenges would arise, new monsters would threaten the peace, and new allies would join the cause. Yet, the foundation laid by Jin‑Woo, Cha Hae‑In, and Thomas Andre would endure, guiding the world toward a brighter tomorrow.
In the quiet of the night, as stars began to dot the sky, Jin‑Woo stood atop the rebuilt cathedral, looking out over the city he had helped save. The wind whispered through the towers, carrying with it the faint echo of distant battles yet to come. He felt the presence of his shadow army, ever loyal, ever ready.
A soft voice reached his ears, a familiar presence that had always been by his side. “You did it, Jin‑Woo,” Cha Hae‑In said, her tone filled with admiration. “You turned the darkness into a new dawn.”
He turned, meeting her gaze, and felt a surge of gratitude. “We did it together,” he replied, his voice steady. “And we will continue to protect this world, no matter what shadows may arise.”
Thomas Andre stepped forward, his construct humming softly. “The world may have been on the brink, but we have proven that hope can rise from the ashes. Let us build a future worthy of those who fought and fell.”
The three of them stood side by side, their silhouettes framed against the starlit sky. The night was calm, the world at peace—for now. Yet, beneath the calm, the heartbeat of the Shadow Army pulsed, ready to answer its master’s call whenever the need arose.
The story of Chapter 174 would be told for ages, a testament to the power of unity, resolve, and the indomitable spirit that refuses to surrender. The final battle had ended, but the legend of the Shadow Monarch and his allies would live on, inspiring countless souls to rise against the darkness and forge their own destinies.
The sun rose once more, casting its golden light over the reborn city, and the world breathed anew. In the distance, the echo of swords clashing and shadows shifting faded into memory, replaced by the gentle hum of life returning. The End of the World arc had concluded, but the saga of those who dared to stand against oblivion continued, ever onward, ever bright.
#SoloLeveling #Chapter174