Solo Leveling Prequel Plans: Chugong to Explore Ashborn & Igris

The original mastermind behind the global phenomenon Solo Leveling, Chugong revealed in a 2025 dcinside blog post, as reported by GameRant, that he is actively considering writing a new, direct sequel to the series. In a reveal that has the fanbase buzzing, the author expressed a desire to return to the main storyline, which originally concluded in 2018, to explore Sung Jinwoo’s story further. This potential project would serve as a true successor aligned strictly with his initial vision, separate from the currently serialized spin-off. Chugong has also expressed a strong desire to expand the franchise's lore through prequel side stories focusing on two critical figures: the loyal knight Igris and the former Shadow Monarch, Ashborn.

Fans don't have to wait long for the first of these deep dives. To promote the Solo Leveling: Arise game, a special update was released on January 15, 2026, finally exploring the backstory of the fan-favorite shadow soldier. For the first time, fans will see the "Blood-Red Commander" in his human form. The update introduces him as Sian Halat, a famous human knight with long grey hair and blue eyes who held the title "Igris of the Battlefield" before his death and subsequent resurrection by Ashborn.

In Solo Leveling: Arise, Sian Halat joins the roster as a powerful "Dark Element Elemental Stacker," giving players a canonical look at the man behind the helmet. Beyond Igris, Chugong has explicitly stated his intention to write a side story focused on Ashborn, the original Shadow Monarch. While Ashborn has yet to appear in the anime adaptation, he is the linchpin of the entire Solo Leveling mythos, the entity who bestowed his powers upon Sung Jinwoo. 

Ashborn Lore and the Ancient War

According to Chugong, an Ashborn-centric story would vastly expand the universe’s lore, potentially detailing the ancient war involving the Absolute Being, the Rulers, and the Monarchs. This narrative would clarify historical mysteries from the original novel, likely showcasing a prime Ashborn fighting side-by-side with a living Sian Halat (Igris) in the distant past.

In a 2025 LitRes interview, Chugong clarified that he views the currently serialized Solo Leveling: Ragnarok simply as a "spin-off" or an "alternate universe" scenario. The series, which is written by a different author, follows the adventures of Jinwoo’s son, Sung Suho.  Likening the narrative structure to Marvel’s multiverse, he explained that while Ragnarok is a fun exploration, his proposed sequel would treat it as a parallel timeline while he revisits the core themes of the original run.

He also mentioned a desire to explore other scenarios, including a romantic storyline where Jinwoo remained with the healer Lee Joohee. While the excitement for Chugong's return is palpable, the author has clarified that these ideas are still in the conceptual phase. 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.

However, with the massive success of the anime adaptation driving global interest and the expansion of lore through games like Arise, the world of Solo Leveling remains more active than ever.