Solo Leveling remains one of the most talked-about action-fantasy manhwa and anime series in recent years. While it captured fans with its intense fights and overpowered protagonist, its controversial ending left many divided—particularly due to Sung Jinwoo’s unexpected decision to rewind time. Why did he do it? Was it to prevent another war? Here’s a full breakdown of why Sung Jinwoo used the Cup of Reincarnation and what happened afterward.
1. How Did Sung Jinwoo Reverse Time?
In the final arc of the manhwa, Jinwoo faced his greatest opponent yet—Antares, the Monarch of Destruction. Even after defeating three other Monarchs, Jinwoo struggled to land a fatal blow on Antares. Despite becoming the full Shadow Monarch after inheriting Ashborn’s power, Jinwoo was pushed to his limit.
During their intense duel, Antares proposed a truce: he would help Jinwoo protect humanity, but only if Jinwoo sided with him against the Rulers. Jinwoo rejected the offer, triggering the final phase of their battle. When Antares let his guard down, Jinwoo nearly bisected him using his father's weapon.
At this critical moment, the Rulers appeared. Antares, unaware that the distortion in space-time allowed their arrival, was swiftly executed by the Rulers using a divine spear.
After the battle, Jinwoo requested the use of the Cup of Reincarnation—a divine artifact created by the Absolute Being that could turn back time. Although the Rulers warned him that no one would remember his sacrifice if he used it, Jinwoo accepted the cost. Time was reset to ten years before the Gates first appeared.
2. What Happened in the New Timeline?
In the reset timeline, the world returned to normal. There were no Gates, no Dungeons, and no Hunters. Those who had died in the original timeline—including Jinwoo’s father—were brought back to life. Unfortunately, no one remembered Jinwoo or his role in saving the world.
Despite the time reset, Jinwoo retained all of his memories and powers. He became the only Hunter left in the new timeline and used his powers to silently hunt down the Monarchs one by one.
Within two years, Jinwoo eliminated all of them—except for Antares and Yogumunt. After slaying Yogumunt, Jinwoo waited 27 years for Antares to resurface and defeated him once again, alone.
3. Why Did Sung Jinwoo Choose to Turn Back Time?
Jinwoo made this choice not for glory, but out of compassion. The Gates had brought endless suffering and death. The Monarch War had claimed countless innocent lives, and Jinwoo couldn’t bear to watch the world continue to bleed.
By reversing time, he saved those who had died, including his father, and gave the world a second chance. To prevent history from repeating, he hunted down the Monarchs preemptively. However, even Jinwoo’s heroic effort could not permanently prevent the return of the Gates.
As revealed in the sequel, Solo Leveling: Ragnarok, the Gates eventually reappeared, suggesting that fate is difficult to change entirely. Still, Jinwoo’s choice ensured peace for decades—and gave him a much-needed happy ending.
Conclusion
Sung Jinwoo turned back time to protect humanity and save the people he loved. While his sacrifice erased his legacy in the eyes of others, it gave the world another chance at peace. Though the Gates return in Ragnarok, Jinwoo’s decision remains one of the most powerful and emotional moments in Solo Leveling, proving he’s not just a powerful Hunter, but a true hero.