By Sarah Musnicky
There is little fanfare going into SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2, with the episode starting with Sung Jin-woo (Taito Ban) collecting new souls for his necromancy. By itself, it's not an entirely odd moment. But within 30 seconds of him raising the souls, the episode immediately launches into its opening theme, a choice that sets things off on a weird tone.
Thankfully, the tone righted itself as things picked up where the previous episode left off. The ominous Red Gate looms as various Guild and Hunter representatives wait to see how the group of hunters has fared. Three hours have passed since the gate went red, meaning that three days have passed inside the world of the gate. Growing impatient, Hwang Dong-soo readies himself to leave before pressing on his intentions for being there.
For anyone who has read the web novel or watched the previous season, the reason for Dong-soo being at the Red Gate is obvious. He is hell-bent on revenge for the death of his brother. He blames Jin-woo and the wealthy D-ranker, Yoo Jin-ho, and intends to murder both of them. Still, despite the conflict that erupts between Dong-soo and the Guild and Hunter reps at the Red Gate, luck is on Jin-woo's side, at least in Episode 2.
If anyone is wondering when Jin-woo's luck is going to run out, it's definitely not in SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2. While he doesn't face an altercation with Dong-soo in this episode, his power draws enemies - both human and inhuman alike - inside the world of the Red Gate.
SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2 introduces a glitch in the Matrix
The highest-ranked member of the group finds his way back to the separated party of lesser hunters, surprised and - soon - possessed by a berserker-like rage. Jin-woo easily dispatches him before turning his attention to the real enemies - the ice elves. Introduced not long after entering the gate, they are presented as formidable threats. And, in SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2, we see why in another lovely, executed action sequence.
Jin-woo almost meets his match against Baruka, the leader of the ice elves. A verbal battle ensues first, where a new curiosity arises. The leader mentions a voice that tells them to kill humans and indicates that Jin-woo is not one. The voice is silent when it comes to him. It begs the question of whether or not the creatures are also hearing the voice of The System much like Jin-woo has.
The mystery deepens further when, as the ice elf leader introduces themself, the words and the leader distort. It is like a video game glitch visually and in execution. This prompts more questions than answers, but the negotiations go nowhere. Instead, violence quickly follows, and how it plays out is beautifully done, showcasing the depths of Jin-woo's recently acquired necromancy skills and battle strategy.
However, one thing continues to loom over Jin-woo's head. Even though he may no longer perceive it as a threat, the fact remains that more and more people are finding out that he's too superpowered. And the coincidences of who survives and who doesn't around Jin-woo are becoming too difficult to ignore.
Jin-woo's actions may catch up with him soon
Jin-woo works in tandem with his shadow army. His actions are fluid and seamless, belying the skill he's accumulated in his battles. With his ability to predict movements, he is almost always one step ahead, but Baruka keeps him on his toes. He may be outmatched. That is until he makes a decision mid-battle that, in the short-term, proves beneficial. But in the long term, it may have significant ramifications.
This decision adds another player to the fight, giving another chess piece for Jin-woo to maneuver. Baruka is finally pushed to the limit and explodes, but his rage does little to save him in the end. In SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2, Jin-woo comes out on top again. But what should be a momentous occasion turns sour, it seems after he leaves the Red Gate.
SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2 ends with suspicion. Jin-woo goes eye-to-eye with the leader of the Hunter Guild, who demands to know what happened to the bulk of his members and manages to intimidate him to back down. But the questions linger, much like the questions surrounding how Jin-woo continues to survive.
So, what does this mean for Jin-woo's future? With the new questions brought up prior to his fight with Baruka, there's something for Jin-woo to focus on now. But with the wolves starting to hone in on the hunter, it seems there will be a bumpy path ahead.
SOLO LEVELING Season 2 Episode 2 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.