u/MundaneAd250

For novel readers, does this feel like a missed opportunity in the manhwa adaptation?
I feel like the novel did a much better job with their characters. In the manhwa, Reed is pretty boring, bland, arrogant, prideful, says he can’t die, shows little fear when things go south, and then gets offscreen.
He ends up being the typical bland arrogant powerhouse whose only purpose is being hype tool for the new threat.

The novel, though, makes him a little more interesting. Reed initially hears about Jinwoo through Norma and dismisses him as an “overestimated boy,” but after seeing Jinwoo’s Japan dungeon break feats, he genuinely acknowledges his strength. He even tries to contact Jinwoo for help, which you don’t really see written when associating with an overwhelming arrogant mob character who’d rather eat shit than accept help.

Instead of refusing to acknowledge the MC due to pride or humiliation, he’s like “Yeah, this guy is the real deal.”
I also liked how the novel showed small hints of Reed being afraid during the encounter, rather than making him completely fearless. That little bit of fear made him feel more human and less like the stereotypical arrogant side character.

Honestly, thought “Finally, a character who isn’t stupid and actually respects the MC’s strength.”

I just wish the manhwa had kept more of that characterisation, so that the characters don’t feel too boring, would have made the National characters feel human as well.

Ragnarok Novel
In the Solo Leveling Ragnarok Novel we get a mention of some sort of Element Spirit named “Ifrit” and the figure who explicitly names and notes the Spirit of the fire/flame is the GOAT Antares, Dragon King, Monarch of pure bliss and destruction.

Antares finding it amusing that Suho attack backfired on him, he treats Ifrit flames as a legitimate worthy final trial challenge for Suho succession to becoming his successor.
Showing that Antares, the first Monarch to ever be born and said to be capable of 1v7 all the original Monarchs and still confirm to still win that shit, fucking hell…
But for some reason Antares acknowledges and can instantly recognise the flame/fire from this random Ifrit dude.
Not saying Ifrit random ass is Monarch level but Antares noting the fella by name and by its fire abilities is somewhat interesting.

But who the hell is Ifrit? And what are Spirits in Solo Leveling Ragnarok.
All these times I treated Spirits as non sentient beings that chill around doing nothing, but then suddenly we are introduced to a explicit named elemental fire spirit named Ifrit who I have to believe is sentient in some way considering it has a name for some reason, and Antares does note and seem to recall Ifrit as some sort of individual from the past or maybe Antares recalls Ifrit as like some sort of artifact power boost, not some random sentient dude Spirit, but honestly that seems lame and dumb, I want to imagine Ifrit as some bum ass.

Like this addition and mention of a Named Spirit seem so out of nowhere, like have we really see or heard of any other named elemental spirit after or before Ifrit? Cause I can’t recall, I’m definitely forgetting an elemental named spirit… (Emphasis on “Elemental” Spirit).

Anyways I wonder if Ifrit is just some weird ass Spirit that is clingy and possessively obsessed with the Hunter Christopher Reed, as for reason fucking unknown cause Ofc, Christopher possesses the cunt in both timelines and we get no explanation typical.

Also just Searched some stuff up on the net and apparently Ifrit is from traditional folk lore?, did not know that.
It’s Some kinda class of Jinn associated with fire, not to be treated as one individual but a class.
Well in some instances Ifrit Jinn traits are usually associated with being extremely, EXTREMELY Pround and arrogant which I mean, I can now see why Christopher arrogant ass possesses the power of Ifrit, they are literally made for each other. Both being bums Inflated in their own ego I guess 😭*.*

Also off topic but I do remember Ifrit from the reincarnated as a Slime Anime after doing 5min research on Ifrit lore in actually mythology.
More you know I guess.

I’ve seen this a lot in Niche communities or post that refer to Christopher Reed as the Strongest NLH. Can someone who believes that explain to me why you think that?.
Is it because he used Spiritual Body Manifestation?, I genuinely want to understand that mindset.

I’ve been wondering how powerful Spirits are, like is there a hierarchy beteeen them, like low spirits then high spirits?

I also found it interesting when Antares refers to Ifrit by name which somewhat implies familiarity with Ifrit Flames, and for someone on Antares level, having him refer to you by name seems somewhat like acknowledgment of who Ifrit is, instead of saying something like “power of some random fire sprit” which could very well be indicative to Ifrit being a high tier. Compared to Monarch’s and rulers? I don’t think so, but maybe a one tier lower?, who knows.

From the respected Light Novels, Ragnarok and The original which Christopher Reed is superior, the Aposlte domination Christopher or Ruler Christopher?.

Is christopher using SBM + Fire sprit in the original timeline superior to the Apostle of domination using Christopher body in the Ragnarok novel or does the Apostle of domination stomp?, I’ve read both but I want a heavily detailed explanation on the two.

I mean in my opinion Christopher Reed in the original timeline practically did the same thing as the Apostle of domination by forcefully absorbing as much power as he can from both Rulers and the Fire Spirit cause he knew he was going to die by the Three Monarchs. And correct me if I’m not wrong chapter 221 OG novel implies SBM is practically using the true power of a ruler but the human body can’t withstand that power.

In saying that, Apostles aren’t as strong as Rulers yeah?, so if Apostle of domination used outer universe mana to fill Christopher Reed empty void to become a suitable pawn wouldn’t that power still be narratively inferior to that of a Ruler’s true power, and in assuming Christopher Reed in OG managed to manifest at least the majority of the Rulers power when he used SBM, would this mean that Og Christopher Reed SBM > Apostle of domination SBM if we take into consideration of cosmic hierarchy? Rulers >>> Apostle’s, Rulers vessel SBM > Apostles vessel SBM.

I know The Apostle’s deliberately did not care about Christopher body and whether he would break but this also applies to Og Novel Christopher as well who did not care if his body would break so he forced his body to accumulate the power of the high universe, in saying this Antares states in chapter 337 that using SBM means to manifest their own power into a vessel regardless of whether they lived or not, which is what Christopher in the OG timeline had done, which would imply he manifested at least the true power of a ruler or as much as his body could before breaking right?, which could mean SBM OG Chris > Domination Apostle Chris SBM?. Since narratively rulers are stronger than apostles??