Liu Zhigang

Liu Zhigang is an SSR Fire character in Solo Leveling: Arise. Liu Zhigang's role is Fighter.

Other Fire characters in Solo Leveling: Arise: Choi Jong-In, Christopher Reed, Emma Laurent, Esil Radiru, Fern, Gina and 5 more.

Liu Zhigang needs to land either of his basic skills once before his ultimate even becomes usable, and using it grants a Dragon Soul state that upgrades his core attack and both basic skills into stronger versions while it lasts. He also gets access to a special Burst Skill whenever an enemy's Fire Overload state wears off, tying him into that elemental mechanic.

Dossier #01: A Friend

For as long as he could remember, everything in Liu Zhigang's home had been adorned in crimson and gold.

Zhigang upheld his family's expectations to become the perfect heir.

He had two younger siblings, but they would inherit the administrative roles Zhigang didn't need to worry about.

He would master the sword.

Since childhood, he had trained alongside his childhood friend Yu Shuran.

Shuran loved books and hated the stifling nature of life among the elite, and because Zhigang wanted so badly to appease his family, they frequently clashed.

"You've got all that talent, and you're just going to live your whole life like a decorative sword on the wall?" She would laugh.

Though Shuran found Zhigang's devotion to his family suffocating, the two ultimately became close friends.

Zhigang never complained, honing his true nature for the day it would finally serve its purpose.

Dossier #02: The Light of the Dawn

One day, Zhigang was suddenly struck by a high fever.

His once uneventful life came to a complete halt.

No treatment worked. A week after he fell ill, he lost his sight and was trapped in darkness.

"What cruel irony."

"The one destined to carry the family's vision of the future can no longer see."

The entire family despaired, while the elders sat in helpless silence.

There was a constant ringing in his ears, coming in waves every few hours, that made Liu Zhigang want to bash his head against a rock.

The unknown illness slowly tightened its grip around his throat.

Just as he felt death approaching, his room was consumed in bright flames.

With each step he took, the fire formed a path, and at this touch, it faded into golden light.

When his family arrived, ready to put out the fire, they saw his eyes glowing gold as he stood amid the flames.

At death's doorstep, he had awakened as a hunter.

Dossier #03: A Forked Path

After his awakening, Liu Zhigang sank into deep inner conflict.

His family had been ready to write him off the day before, but suddenly he was expected to restore their declining fortunes.

"Liu Zhigang is truly a blessing for the family, is he not?!"

Zhigang realized he hadn't just been sick- he was sick of them.

The family was barely holding it together while trying to conceal its decline, and to them, he wasn't their son: he was an opportunity.

Zhigang had always taken pride in the expectations placed on him, but a future where the family rose again because they touted his hunter status wasn't the path he wanted.

Finally. Zhigang decided to free himself from his family's control.

However, to his surprise, Shuran stayed.

She had awakened just a month before, and she announced she would establish the Gold Dragon Guild.

"You're still not seeing clearly, Liu Zhigang.

I... want to use my power to do something that will go down in history."

Disappointed by the change in his friend's heart, Zhigang declined the offer to join the Gold Dragon Guild.

Their paths wouldn't cross again for very, very long time.

Dossier #04: The Unbound Hero

Leaving his family behind, Liu Zhigang stepped out into the world and proved his beliefs through action.

From the depths of the night until the break of dawn, he swung his blade without hesitation for those in need.

Moved by his path of unyielding righteousness, many began to follow Zhigang.

Unbound by the names of guilds or associations, they roamed like the wind, ever pursuing what they deemed justice to be.

Before long, the Kamish Raid was set to take place.

Right before he left for the United States, Shuran visited him and said the Gold Dragon Guild would stay behind and not take place in the raid.

"Stay safe out there. Someone needs to keep an eye on the gates at home."

Leaving her apologetic smile behind, Zhigang headed to an unfamiliar land alongside many of his followers.

Dossier #05: Calamity and Ruin

The Kamish Raid was a nightmare beyond comprehension.

The colossal dragon's fire tore the land asunder, and countless hunters who fought alongside Zhigang lost their lives.

To grant Zhigang one brief moment to make his move, they cast themselves into the inferno, shielding him at the cost of their lives.

After a fierce, desperate struggle, Kamish was slain, and only five remained alive, Zhigang among them.

Antoine Martinez, who vowed to save them all and raised his massive shield and healing hands.

Thomas Andre, who charged in again and again like a ferocious lion.

Christopher Reed, who shouted his strategies in vain, trying to unify the team to save them all.

And Siddarth Bachchan, who survived by being buried beneath a mountain of corpses.

With shaking hands, Zhigang forced his blade into the ground.

Yet he couldn't bring himself to declare the battle won.

To call it a victory would be a lie. What remained of the west coast was an ashen scar where millions had once lived.

On that blood-drenched battlefield, he was consumed by grief that he alone had been spared, unable to protect a single one of his friends.

Dossier #06: Lost in Guilt

Upon his return, Zhigang found Shuran waiting anxiously at the airport.

She offered to help him and suggested to join the Gold Dragon Guild, but Zhigang once again refused her offer.

"Leave me alone, Shuran. I'm not your problem to fix."

As though he wanted to disappear completely, Zhigang hid himself away, refusing to use his powers as a hunter.

He closed his eyes and turned his back on everything.

Each time he heard a scream, his hand would move impulsively to his sword, but he would soon let it go, sinking into bitter self-reproach.

"I couldn't save anyone. How can I possibly pick up my sword again?"

Even in his despair, he felt the pull to protect.

And soon, his followers who had remained in China began to follow his trail, desperate to bring him out of retirement.

Dossier #07: A New Dawn

Exactly one year later, Zhigang and the remainder of his followers ran into each other, almost as if it were fate.

At the same moment, Zhigang was forced to face the world he'd been avoiding as a Dungeon Break occured.

Zhigang couldn't ignore the people's screams of agony.

They were his friends, his comrades, closer to him than family.

In the end, he drew his old, rusted sword.

His old swordmaster's words came back to him.

"Be a man of honor and never forget to stand for what is right."

As if fate had been holding its breath, that opportunity appeared.

From Liu Zhigang's worn blade, a piercing resonance rang out.

After cutting down everything in his path, he fell to his knees before his comrades.

"...I'm sorry."

"If I'm given another chance. I swear on my name."

"I'll repay the debt I owe to everyone who died that day."

after a long exchange that was more like a confessional, they succeeded in raising Zhigang to his feet once more.

As the brilliant sun rose into the sky, Zhigang wiped the tears from his face.

Dawn had come again.