Mysterious Man

Overview

Mysterious Man is a main quest in Chapter 1: The First Encounter of Crimson Desert. Outside the Hernand Inn, children are taunting an old beggar lying near a sewer grate. The beggar turns out to be Alustin in disguise. Giving him a coin triggers a cryptic exchange and rewards Kliff with a Shabby Wooden Key. Completing this quest unlocks three parallel quests that must all be finished before progressing further.

Quest Details

Rewards

Walkthrough

Find the Beggar

Exit the Hernand Inn and turn left. Behind the low wall of the tavern's front yard, you will find an old man sleeping on the ground next to an iron grate that leads to the Hernand Sewers. A group of children nearby is taunting him. This is Alustin in disguise, though Kliff does not realize it yet.

Give Alms

Aim at the beggar with L1/LB and press Square/X to select the "Give Alms" option. Kliff hands over a coin bag. A cutscene plays in which the beggar exchanges the coins for a Shabby Wooden Key and delivers a cryptic message: "Virtue paves the path to wisdom, which shall bring us together once more. When the time comes, the key shall guide you..." He then disappears into an alley.

Quest Branching

After Alustin vanishes, the iron grate on the ground becomes accessible. Three quests unlock simultaneously. All three must be completed to progress to the Mystical Key quest:

• True Wisdom in Kindness: Investigate the sewer beneath the grate where Alustin was lying.

• Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Help villagers at Muckroot Ranch south of town.

• Heart Beyond Borders: Help a child retrieve her lost cat west of the inn.

These three quests can be completed in any order. They represent the "Trials of Kindness" sub-chapter of Chapter 1.

Tips

• The Shabby Wooden Key transforms into an Engraved Key later during True Wisdom in Kindness. Keep it in your inventory.

• Pay attention to Alustin's words. They foreshadow his role as a guide connected to the Abyss.

• After this quest, a ladder leading into the sewers becomes visible through the grate. That is where True Wisdom in Kindness takes place.

Narrative Context

The Trials of Wisdom

The quest is formally categorized under "Trials of Wisdom" within Chapter 1: The First Encounter. While the three subsequent quests (True Wisdom in Kindness, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, and Heart Beyond Borders) fall under "Trials of Kindness," this introductory quest bridges the two concepts. Alustin's cryptic message explicitly references both virtue and wisdom as connected paths, setting the thematic framework for the chapter.

The Coin Exchange

When Kliff approaches the beggar and selects the Give Alms interaction, a detailed cutscene plays. Kliff does not simply toss a coin; he hands over an entire coin pouch. The beggar (Alustin in disguise) accepts the pouch, examines its contents briefly, and then produces the Shabby Wooden Key from within his robes. The exchange suggests that this was not a chance encounter but a pre-arranged test. Alustin was specifically waiting for someone generous enough to give alms to a stranger, and the key was prepared in advance.

Alustin's Disappearance

After delivering his message, Alustin does not simply walk away. He steps into a narrow alley adjacent to the sewer grate and vanishes from sight within seconds. If you try to follow him immediately, the alley is empty. This is one of the first hints that Alustin has connections to the Abyss and its supernatural properties. His ability to disappear without a trace becomes more understandable after the Polar Opposites quest, where you discover him inside the Axiom Archive.

Sewer Grate Access

After Alustin vanishes, the iron grate on the ground near where he was lying becomes interactable for the first time. A faint sound emanates from below, which is the quest trigger for True Wisdom in Kindness. The grate was present during the Where Rumors Gather quest but could not be opened at that point. Players who noticed it earlier will recognize the continuity.