| Overview |
Tusk (어금니) is the shadow of Kargalgan, and is a powerful Shadow Soldier in Solo Leveling, originally a High Orc Shaman defeated by Jinwoo Sung during the Hunters Guild Gate Arc. After being resurrected, Tusk becomes one of Jinwoo's most potent magic users, known for his devastating area-of-effect spells and high intelligence. He plays a key role in Jinwoo's Shadow Army, particularly in large-scale battles.
Appearance
Tusk is a large orc with glowing red skin and glowing blue eyes. He wears a long black hooded cloak and a necklace of skulls.
Personality
Tusk is obedient, quiet, and shy, as displayed when he sheepishly scratched the back of his head upon encountering a group of awed reporters during the Ahjin Guild's first dungeon raid. However he can also be competitive and a bit of a show-off, as displayed during his contest with the three dragons in Ashborn's shadow army.
History
Tusk was originally a High Orc Shaman Kargalgan, a powerful creature that Jinwoo encountered during the Demon Castle Arc. This arc occurs after Jinwoo accepts a quest to raid a dungeon, which turns out to be a hidden dungeon within the Demon Castle. Tusk, in his original form, was a formidable opponent, especially because of his powerful magic and shamanistic abilities.
Hunters Guild Gate Arc
After defeating Tusk, Jinwoo attempts to extract his shadow. Initially, the extraction fails multiple times, indicating Tusk's strong will even after death. However, Jinwoo eventually succeeds, and Tusk becomes one of his Shadow Soldiers. As a Shadow, Tusk retains his magical abilities and shamanistic skills, which makes him a valuable asset to Jinwoo's army.
Jeju Island Arc
Tusk is one of the key Shadow Soldiers deployed during the Jeju Island Raid, one of the most critical arcs in Solo Leveling. This raid involves a joint operation by the strongest hunters in Korea to eliminate the S-rank ants that have overrun Jeju Island. Tusk’s powerful magic is used to support the raid. His area-of-effect spells help in clearing large groups of ants, significantly reducing their numbers. Tusk’s contribution is vital in the eventual success of the raid, particularly in dealing with the overwhelming ant forces.
International Guild Conference Arc
Tusk is part of Jinwoo's demonstration of power during the International Guild Conference in the United States. Here, Jinwoo showcases his Shadow Army to the world, intimidating various international guilds and hunters. Tusk, along with other elite shadows, acts as one of Jinwoo’s protectors, ensuring his safety during his time in the United States. His presence is a testament to Jinwoo's growing influence and the fearsome nature of his Shadow Army.
Tusk plays a supporting role during Jinwoo's investigation into the mysterious Dragon Kamish and the subsequent dungeon raids. His magic continues to be an asset, particularly in battles where large-scale destruction is required.
Monarchs War Arc
As the Monarchs start to make their move against Jinwoo, Tusk is increasingly involved in battles against these powerful enemies. His magic proves effective against some of the Monarchs' forces, though the battles become increasingly difficult as the true strength of the Monarchs is revealed. During the confrontations with the Monarchs, Tusk fights alongside other high-ranking shadows like Beru and Igris, forming a formidable team that supports Jinwoo in these high-stakes battles.
Abilities
As an Elite Knight Grade shadow, Tusk is on the level of a S-Rank Hunter. As a testament to this, he was able to slaughter hundreds of demons with a single fire spell and kill a giant in one hit.
- Gravitation Magic: Tusk is able to levitate a target. He can also use this spell offensively by throwing a target around and smashing into the ground repeatedly until their bodies break from the repeated strain.
- Regeneration
- Hymn of Protection: Tusk conjures a shield around himself or around a target.
- Hymn of the Fire Dragon: Tusk shoots a massive beam of fire from his mouth. With the Orb of Avarice, this skill is so enhanced in strength that it was able to completely negate Baran's breath attack and blast a giant hole right through Hallasan.
- Hymn of the Blazing Fire: Tusk shoots off a wave of fireballs.
- Hymn of Agony: Tusk curses a target with intense pain.
- Hymn of Frenzy: Tusk weakens a target's defense, increasing the amount of damage they take from attacks.
- Hymn of Blindness: Tusk blinds a target.
- Hymn of Slumber: Tusk drains a target of their stamina.
- Hymn of Lethargy: Tusk petrifies a target in place.
- Hymn of Rage: This hymn might boost the anger and aggression of allies, increasing their attack power or making them more relentless in battle. It could also have a berserk-like effect, making those affected lose control but gain immense power.
- Hymn of Strengthening: Tusk buffs himself or a target in strength.
- Hymn of Giants: Tusk drastically grows in size using mana.
- Hymn of Combustion: This hymn likely causes enemies to spontaneously combust or creates explosions, dealing fire damage to enemies. It could be an offensive spell with a wide area of effect. These hymns are an essential part of Tusk's abilities, making him a versatile and powerful member of Sung Jin-Woo's shadow army. Each hymn has a unique effect that can turn the tide of battle in different ways.
Trivia
- Tusk is one of the few monsters that required multiple attempts to extract his shadow. This highlights his strong will and the power he held in his original form as a High Orc Shaman.
- Tusk stands out in Jinwoo's Shadow Army due to his focus on magic and shamanistic abilities. While most of Jinwoo's other Shadows, like Igris and Beru, rely on physical strength and combat skills, Tusk's specialty lies in casting powerful spells, making him a crucial asset for magical attacks.
- Tusk is known for his signature spell, "Hellfire," an immensely powerful area-of-effect attack that can decimate large groups of enemies at once. This spell is often used in large-scale battles where Jinwoo needs to quickly reduce enemy numbers.
- Unlike many other Shadows who primarily rely on brute force, Tusk retains a high level of intelligence from his original form. This makes him particularly valuable for complex strategies that require more than just raw power.
- Tusk is one of the few Shadows in Jinwoo's army who gets promoted to Marshal Grade, one of the highest ranks within the Shadow Army. This promotion is a testament to his power and importance within Jinwoo's forces.