Episode 10 of Solo Leveling Season 2 kicks off with an intense clash between the two preeminent hunter factions. Baek swiftly discerns that his adversary, Atsushi, lacks the prowess of a seasoned warrior. He theorizes that Goto's true intention is to use Baek's team as pawns to assess Atsushi and his comrades' mettle. As the battle unfolds, two of Baek's comrades fall, narrowing the ranks of his group to just him and Hae-In.
Hae-In emerges victorious against her female foe and attempts to hasten to Baek's side, but Atsushi intercepts her. In the scuffle, Hae-In inadvertently injures Atsushi, inciting his fury. He lunges at her with intent to retaliate, but Jinwoo intervention stops him in his tracks. Jinwoo persuades Hae-In to surrender to Goto's hunters, emphasizing the importance of strategic withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Goto's attendant confronts Jinwoo, challenging him to a duel with Goto. Jinwoo accepts, but with a stipulation: Goto must give it his all. Elsewhere, Joohee steps outdoors and places a call, peppering the recipient with inquiries about the sentry team assigned to the Jeju Island Raid Mission.
In parallel, the showdown between Goto and Jinwoo ignites. However, Baek and Goto's hunters intervene, preventing either from unleashing their full strength. Jinwoo garners praise for his commendable showing against Goto, but he reveals a clever stratagem—he's infiltrated Shadow Soldiers into the shadows of Goto and his companions.
Concurrently, Jinwoo engages in a hush-hush conversation with Go regarding the intricacies of the Jeju Island Raid Mission. Goto makes a call and discovers that Jinwoo's name is conspicuously absent from the mission's hunter roster. Hae-In relays this vital information to Choi, who also learns that Byung-gu is similarly unlisted. Choi informs Baek that their ranks are thinning, with only 15 S-Rank Hunters participating in the mission.
Back at his abode, Jinwoo reunites with his family over dinner. He confides that his reluctance to embark on the Jeju Island mission stemmed from a desire to cherish time with his mother, prioritizing familial bonds over the call of duty.
On the sprawling landscapes of Jeju Island, a majestic queen ant oversees a grim spectacle: ants engaging in a cruel cannibalistic frenzy. With a solemn declaration, the queen announces that their escape from this cursed land is imperative, harboring the hope that among her offspring, one will rise to lead them with unyielding strength. In parallel, a news reporter broadcasts to a captive audience, unraveling the ants' ominous presence and the Hunter Association's meticulously crafted plan to counteract their threat. The reporter urges all hunters to rally under the association's banner, forming a sentinel force against the impending peril.
In response, multiple hunter contingents embark on a perilous voyage to Jeju Island. To Baek's astonishment, Byung-gu arrives unexpectedly, extending a warm greeting. Subsequently, Go, with resolve etched on his face, orders the hunters to commence their operation. A swarm of ants, as if sensing their impending doom, takes flight towards Choi's helicopter, but Choi swiftlydispatches them with precision. As Choi's squad disembarks, another team initiates interference waves, creating a shield that silences the queen's desperate calls for reinforcement.
In a concerted effort, various hunter groups engage the ants in relentless battles, while Choi's team ventures into a dark, foreboding cave. With a decisive move, Choi seals the cave's entrance, isolating them from the chaos outside. Baek becomes acutely aware of numerous tunnels weaving through the underground labyrinth, and Choi harnesses his fiery abilities to illuminate the path leading to the queen ant's lair. Their journey ends at an egg nest and a cocoon left eerily open.
Elsewhere, Kenzo rallies his team and seeks healing from his comrade, Shimizu. A hint of ulterior motive lingers in Shimizu's request for a favor in return. Before Kenzo can inquire further, a horrifying event decapitates Shimizu, leaving a chilling silence in the aftermath. The episode concludes with a fleeting, chilling image of an ant, a teaser for the dark turns yet to unfold.
