2026’s First Update Is Here!
We’re excited to kick off 2026 with our first major update.
This update introduces two new Hunters, along with a new PvP mode where you can test your skills against other players. 

Most notably, Igris, one of the Shadow Army’s elite commanders, makes his first-ever appearance in Solo Leveling: ARISE under the name Sian Halat.

Sian Halat is clad in crimson armor and wields a broadsword.
What kind of presence will he bring to the battlefield? Let’s find out.

Red Knight Igris “Sian Halat”
Joins you as a Hunter!

With this update, two Hunters join Solo Leveling: ARISE, Sian Halat and Son Kihoon.

While Son Kihoon is a familiar face to fans of both the original series and the game, Sian Halat is a name that has never appeared in the original story. However, his other name tells a very different story.

Once the Shadow Monarch’s most loyal sword,
Igris returns as Sian Halat

Igris first appeared as the boss of Sung Jinwoo’s Job Change Quest, later joining his ranks as one of the very first soldiers of the Shadow Army.
When fans think of the Shadow Army, Igris is often the first name that comes to mind.

Among the named Shadow Soldiers, he served Sung Jinwoo longer than any other, taking part in countless battles and proving himself time and again on the battlefield.

Sian Halat, a Dark-attribute Stacker, wields the Crimson Shadow.

Sian Halat is an SSR Dark-attribute Stacker Hunter who wields a massive greatsword known as the Crimson Shadow.

A fearless commander and a battle-hardened knight, Sian Halat excels in close combat, cutting down and crushing enemies with powerful greatsword attacks, then channeling mana to unleash devastating blade waves.

Many of his skills feature the term “Knight’s Pride,” reflecting his identity as an elite knight who fights with disciplined, refined, and nearly flawless technique.

The Ideal Strike Squad Leader, Son Kihoon

The next Hunter to be introduced is Son Kihoon, an SSR Dark-attribute Breaker.

In both the original work and the game’s main storyline, he first appears as an A-rank Hunter affiliated with the Hunters Guild, where he serves as the captain of the Guild’s strike team B.

He once narrowly escaped death at the hands of the High Orc Shaman Kargalgan and his subordinates, surviving only thanks to Sung Jinwoo’s intervention.

Although the enemies he faced were overwhelmingly powerful, preventing him from truly shining in battle, Son Kihoon demonstrates the qualities of an outstanding Hunter and leader through his level-headed judgment, his commitment to prioritizing his team’s safety, and his unwavering courage in the face of impossible odds.

Son Kihoon wields a one-handed sword and shield as his primary weapons. Most of his attacks and skills revolve around using this combination in combat. He also employs abilities such as planting a banner on the battlefield or unleashing his fighting spirit, symbolizing his role as a leader who takes initiative and guides his allies from the front.

Sian Halat is available through the Rate Up Draw,
while Son Kihoon can be obtained via the Custom Draw

Each hunter features exclusive weapons, original story content, the Secret Library, Dossiers, Codex entries, and Bonds.
And you can customize their look with two brand-new costumes.

New Costume:
A unique Experience(Sian Halat),  Daily Persistence(Son Kihoon)

International Hunter Championship
PvP Event: “International Clash”

Next up is International Clash, a PvP mode where you can test your skills against other hunters. This is a limited-time PvP event available until the next regular update. Instead of manual control, battles are conducted in an auto-battle format, making strategic team composition the key factor.

You can access International Clash through the Event menu, and participate by first setting up your Defense Teams.

A limited-time PvP mode
where you can put your strategies to the test against other players

To participate, you’ll first set up a Defense Team, then prepare an Attack Team. Both Defense and Attack Teams can include up to 5 hunters and 9 Tactic Cards. 

Battles are fully auto-resolved between your Attack Team and your opponent’s Defense Team, and you’ll earn points based on the results. Rankings are determined by accumulated scores.

There’s no limit on the number of attempts, but ranking points are only awarded for challenges that consume International Clash Tickets. These tickets are distributed daily in limited quantities, so it’s recommended to thoroughly test your deck before using them.

You can get rewards by completing missions based on participation count and points earned. After the event ends, special title rewards will also be granted according to final rankings.

Mission rewards value consistency over win rate, so don’t give up, keep challenging and pushing forward.

New Expert Difficulty Chapters Added

Lastly, new Expert Difficulty story content has been unlocked with Hidden Chapters 1 & 2, as well as Chapters 19 & 20.

These stages feature significantly tougher battles than previous chapters, offering a greater sense of achievement along with additional rewards for those who rise to the challenge.

In addition, events are now live where you can obtain the new SSR Hunter, Son Kihoon, along with his exclusive weapon. There’s also a special event that rewards players with a Rate Up Draw Hunter Exclusive Weapon Selection Box, so be sure not to miss out!

That wraps up the key highlights of the first 2026 update for Solo Leveling: ARISE. With two hunters introduced right from the start, both playing major roles in the story, this update is sure to be exciting news for fans of both the original series and the game.