The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom introduces players to a massive underground world filled with secrets, danger, and valuable ancient treasures. One of the most critical early story milestones you encounter is the pursuit of unexplained statues beneath Hyrule, which ultimately unlocks a game-changing building ability. Navigating the pitch-black tunnels effectively requires careful preparation and an understanding of the mechanical clues hidden within the zone.
How to Unlock and Start the Investigation
Before players can dive into the subterranean depths, they must complete specific prerequisite missions involving the research team at Lookout Landing. Speaking with Josha after finishing at least one elemental temple will trigger the necessary dialogue regarding an unusual discovery in the underworld. She will task Link with investigating a specific trail of stone figures that seem to lead deeper into the darkness.
To begin this journey efficiently, make sure to stock up on plenty of Brightbloom Seeds and gloom-resisting meals to survive the harsh environment. You will want to plunge into the central chasm located just south of the main surface encampment to locate the starting coordinates. Following the gaze of the large humanoid stone statues will guide you safely toward the primary objective marker.
Navigating the Path to the Great Abandoned Central Mine
As you move from one statue to the next, activating nearby Lightroots is essential for illuminating the cavern and restoring broken heart containers. The path twists through rocky terrain guarded by formidable Frox creatures and corrupted Bokoblin mining camps. Keeping a steady eye on the direction the stone monuments are facing will prevent you from getting hopelessly lost in the shadows.
Eventually, the trail culminates at a massive structure known as the Great Abandoned Central Mine, where friendly construct units await your arrival. Interacting with the glowing green ancient pedestal inside this facility will grant Link the highly anticipated Autobuild ability instantly. This power allows you to instantly recreate saved vehicle designs and structural inventions using nearby materials or Zonaite pieces.
Defeating Master Kohga and Completing the Quest
Just as you acquire the new ability, the enigmatic leader of the Yiga Clan makes a surprise appearance to steal the ancient technology for himself. Master Kohga initiates a dynamic boss battle utilizing a heavily armored vehicle that attempts to run Link down in the arena. Defeating him requires using your archery skills or basic physical strikes to knock him off the driver seat when he exposes himself.
Once Kohga is defeated and flees the area, speak with the remaining constructs to receive a schema stone containing useful building schematics. Return swiftly to the surface at Lookout Landing to demonstrate the Autobuild mechanic to an astonished Josha. Handing over the research findings concludes the mission, rewarding you with valuable upgrading materials and unlocking further exploration paths across the subterranean map.
