You’re standing in the Muddy Grounds, probably out of breath from dodging a Volatile, and you pick up a note. It’s titled "The First Page." Most players just shove it in their backpack and keep running. That's a mistake. This starts the treasure hunt Dying Light 2 players often get stuck on because, honestly, Techland didn’t make the directions very clear. You aren't just looking for loot; you're following a breadcrumb trail that requires you to actually read—like, with your eyes—the clues provided in your collectibles menu.
It’s easy to get distracted by the flashier side quests. But this one? It’s classic Dying Light. It’s about navigation, verticality, and knowing the map of Villedor like the back of your hand. If you haven't started it yet, you need to finish the "The Deserter" side quest first. During that mission, you’ll have the choice to keep the map or give it back. Keep it. You need that map to kick off this scavenger hunt.
The Messy Reality of the Treasure Hunt Dying Light 2 Map
Most people think the map is bugged. It’s not. It’s just drawn like someone was running for their life while sketching it, which, considering the setting, makes sense. When you look at the "Legendary Treasure Map" in your inventory, it’s a mess of scribbles and landmarks.
The first thing you’ll notice is the mention of a library. Specifically, the Wharf Library. You need to head over to the Peacekeeper’s base—the massive ship called the Missy. Inside, there's a character named Albert. He’s the guy who loves books more than life itself. Talk to him. He’ll give you a bit of lore, but more importantly, he points you toward the next step of the treasure hunt Dying Light 2 sends you on.
Actually, wait. Before you go sprinting off, check your notes again. The clues mention the "Water Tower" and "Great Heights." This isn't just flavor text. It tells you exactly where to look in the Muddy Grounds. You’re looking for a specific basement. Not a roof. A basement. In a game about parkour, people always forget to look down.
Decoding the Cipher (No, You Don't Need a PhD)
The note you find is a substitution cipher. If you want to do it the hard way, you can sit there with a pen and paper and swap letters until it makes sense. Or you can just listen. The decrypted message basically tells you to go to the basement of the Water Tower in the Muddy Grounds.
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Getting there is the easy part. The hard part is finding the exact entrance. You’re looking for a small, unassuming door near the base of the tower. Once you’re inside, you’ll find a pool of water. It’s murky. It’s gross. Dive in. There are two crates at the bottom.
What’s Actually in the Crates?
Here is where some players get disappointed, while others feel like kings. The rewards are leveled. This means if you do this at Level 4, you’re getting Level 4 gear. If you wait until the endgame, the loot scales. You’ll usually pull out:
- A high-tier explosive (usually a C4 blueprint or actual explosives).
- A Greatsword or another heavy 2-handed weapon.
- A handful of scraps and high-value sellables.
Is it the best loot in the game? Probably not. But the XP gain from the exploration and the "hidden" nature of the quest makes it worth the twenty minutes it takes to solve. Plus, if you're a completionist, your map will never look right without that checkmark.
Why People Get Frustrated with This Quest
Techland likes to hide things. Sometimes too well. The treasure hunt Dying Light 2 questline is notorious for "breaking" if you do things out of order. For instance, if you finish the main story before doing "The Deserter," you might find the quest-giver has moved or the dialogue options have shifted.
Also, the water tower entrance is finicky. If you’ve already assigned the Water Tower to a faction (Peacekeepers or Survivors), the area changes. Sometimes NPCs spawn right over the trapdoor. Sometimes the "Investigate" prompt doesn't show up unless you’re standing at a very specific, slightly awkward angle. It's annoying. I get it. Just keep circling the floor until the prompt pops.
Practical Steps to Finishing the Hunt Right Now
If you are currently staring at your screen wondering where to go next, follow this exact sequence:
- Check your inventory. Do you have "The First Page"? If not, go back to the Missy and find the room where Meyer stays. It's usually on a table nearby if you've done the prerequisite missions.
- Travel to the Muddy Grounds. Look for the Water Tower. Do not climb it. Stay at the ground level.
- Find the basement door. It’s on the side of the building, often tucked behind some crates or debris.
- Drain the water or just dive. Most players just dive. Use your Survivor Sense (press Q on PC or R3 on controller) to highlight the crates underwater. They glow gold. You can't miss them if you're looking.
- Open both. If you only open one, the quest won't clear from your log.
One thing to keep in mind: the "Treasure Hunt" note in your Collectibles tab actually contains the key to the cipher at the bottom. It’s a series of numbers and letters. If you look closely, it’s a grid. The numbers correspond to the alphabet. It’s a neat little touch that shows the developers actually put thought into the "hunt" part of the treasure hunt, rather than just giving you a waypoint.
Final Thoughts on the Villedor Scavenger Life
Don't expect this quest to change the world. It’s a side activity designed to make the world feel lived-in. It rewards players who actually read the flavor text. In a world of "follow the golden marker" quest design, Dying Light 2 occasionally tries to be clever. This is one of those times.
Go get your loot. Even if the sword you find isn't better than your current one, the C4 blueprints you pick up during these types of side missions are invaluable for taking down GRE Anomalies later on. Sell the junk, keep the explosives, and move on to the next rooftop.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify Quest Status: Open your journal and ensure "The Deserter" is completed or active; you cannot finish the treasure hunt without the map obtained during this specific mission.
- Inventory Check: Navigate to the "Collectibles" tab and read "The First Page" and the "Legendary Treasure Map" to ensure the quest triggers the location markers correctly.
- Visit the Wharf: Fast travel to the Metro: North Loop to reach the Missy quickly if you need to speak with Albert for the initial clues.
- Gear Up: Bring a few lockpicks. While the crates are usually unlocked, the doors leading into the basement areas in the Muddy Grounds occasionally require a standard lockpick to open.