Gate to the Other World

Overview

Gate to the Other World (also written as Gate to the Otherworld) is the 56th main quest in Crimson Desert and one of the most puzzle-heavy missions in the game. It takes place at the Scholastone Institute in the Hernand region during Chapter 4, "The Price of Knowledge." The quest falls under the Forbidden Knowledge sub-chapter and requires completion of the On the Right Path quest before it becomes available.

The mission revolves around helping Octavius, an orc scholar at the Scholastone Institute, conduct an experiment using ancient Abyss technology. The quest is divided into four distinct phases, each with its own mechanics: solving an underground lock device, inserting batteries into pillars, extracting an unstable core, and fighting the aerial boss Tenebrum. Upon completion, the player receives 1x Abyss Artifact as a reward.

Quest Details

Puzzle Phases

The quest consists of four sequential phases. Each phase must be completed before the next one begins.

Phase 1: Underground Lock Device

The first phase requires you to find and solve an underground lock device. After listening to Octavius explain his experiment at the central plaza, your objective marker will point toward the northeast corner of the plaza. Follow the path marked by lanterns; it leads underground to the lock mechanism. For a focused step-by-step breakdown, see Activate the Lock Device Switch Underground.

Finding the Entrance

From the central plaza at Scholastone Institute, head to the northeast corner. Look for a series of lit lanterns along a descending path. Follow the lanterns downward until you reach a wall panel with a hatch-like mechanism. This wall panel is the lock device interface.

Puzzle Mechanics

The lock device presents a set of buttons arranged on the wall panel. Use D-Pad Left/Right to cycle between buttons and press the interact button to push each one. Each button press toggles multiple buttons at once in an L-shaped pattern, so the puzzle requires logic rather than random guessing. The goal is to make all buttons glow simultaneously.

If you press buttons in the wrong order, simply back away from the wall panel. This resets the puzzle to its default state with no penalty. You can reattempt as many times as needed.

Solution: Button Sequence

Multiple valid solutions exist for this puzzle. Here are two confirmed working sequences:

Solution A (corners first):

1. Top-left corner button

2. Bottom-right corner button

3. Bottom-left corner button

4. Top-right corner button

5. Middle button

Solution B (middle first):

1. Middle button

2. Top-left corner button

3. Bottom-right corner button

4. Top-right corner button

5. Bottom-left corner button

When all buttons glow at the same time, the puzzle is solved. Interact with the wall panel a second time to pull the handle and activate the underground machine. A cutscene plays showing the device powering up.

Phase 2: Battery Insertion

After activating the underground mechanism, return to the circular plaza above. Four pillars surround the central device, each with a cube-shaped battery sitting on the ground nearby. The pillar locations appear as orange markers on your minimap. For a dedicated guide, see Insert Batteries to Activate the Device.

How to Insert Each Battery

Repeat this process for all four batteries:

Ensure you orient each cube so the four glowing points face toward the pillar opening before punching it in. Each successfully inserted battery fires a beam of energy toward the central device. After all four batteries are in place, a cutscene triggers and Octavius's experiment begins.

Phase 3: Unstable Core Extraction

After the four batteries power up the device, a blue orb appears in the center of the plaza. You must extract this unstable core using Axiom Force. The extraction technique differs from normal object manipulation.

Extraction Controls

Hold all three inputs simultaneously for several seconds until the extraction completes. Do not release early, or the process will fail and you will need to restart it. A cutscene plays once the core is successfully removed, and the experiment goes wrong, summoning Tenebrum from the Abyss.

Phase 4: Tenebrum Boss Fight

Tenebrum is a spectral, shadow-like entity that Octavius accidentally summons through the experiment. This fight takes place in the air above the central plaza and uses unique mechanics not found in any other boss encounter in the game. For a complete strategy breakdown, see How to Defeat Tenebrum.

Tenebrum's Attacks

Combat Strategy

1. Reveal the weak spot. Hold L1 + R1 (or LB + RB on Xbox, or Ctrl + Left Click on PC) to activate Blinding Flash. Target Tenebrum with R1 to expose a square weak spot on its body. You only need to do this once per fight.

2. Take flight. Move to the center of the plaza where the floor has collapsed. Double-press Square (or X on Xbox) to jump and activate your wings. Wind currents launch you upward toward Tenebrum.

3. Strike with Force Palm. Press R3 mid-air to hit Tenebrum with Force Palm when it pauses to charge an attack. These stationary moments are your safest windows to deal damage.

4. Avoid projectiles. Tenebrum fires ranged projectiles that deal damage and can knock you down. Use the plaza pillars as cover between attack runs.

5. Regenerate Spirit. When your Spirit meter depletes, hold L3 + R3 to regenerate while standing behind a pillar for cover.

6. Heal when needed. Press D-Pad Right to consume food items if your health drops low.

Three successful Force Palm strikes on Tenebrum's exposed weak spot are enough to end the fight. A cutscene plays showing the boss's defeat, and the quest completes.

Controls Summary

Tips

• The underground lock device puzzle has multiple valid solutions. If one sequence does not work, back away to reset and try a different combination. There is no penalty.

• When inserting batteries, make sure the four glowing dots on the cube face toward the pillar slot before using Force Palm. Misaligned cubes will not insert properly.

• During the core extraction, keep holding all three inputs (L3, L2, and Right Stick up) simultaneously. Releasing any input too early forces you to restart the extraction.

• Stock up on healing food before starting this quest. The Tenebrum boss fight can drain your health quickly if projectiles connect.

• Flying during the Tenebrum fight does not consume stamina in the plaza area. Focus on timing your Force Palm strikes rather than worrying about stamina management.

• The Tenebrum fight requires only three successful hits. Patience is more effective than aggression; wait for the boss to pause before committing to an attack.

Related Articles

• Main quest walkthrough: Gate to the Otherworld

• Objective guide: Activate the Lock Device Switch Underground

• Objective guide: Insert Batteries to Activate the Device

• Boss strategy: How to Defeat Tenebrum

• Previous quest: On the Right Path

• Next quest: Spire of the Stars

• Puzzle hub: All Puzzle Solutions

• Chapter 4: The Price of Knowledge Walkthrough