Onimusha: Way of the Sword — Mysteries & Chance Encounters

Kyoto's side activities open up after the mission “What Lurks in the Shadows.” Mysteries of Kyoto appear as butterfly markers on the map (track them in the Curious Cases menu as Observations); Chance Encounters appear as notebook markers you start by talking to the NPC there.

Eight self-contained investigations, split across two regions. Some only unlock after specific story missions, so revisit as you progress:

1. The Light of Vengeance — available as soon as the Mysteries unlock.

2. A Wife's Prayer — opens after “Bloodbath on the Bridge”.

3. Something in the Water — opens after “A Tempest at the Temple”.

4. The Blessed Man — available as soon as the Mysteries unlock.

5. The Night Parade — opens after “The Demon on the Mount” (rewards Power Stones).

6. The Faceless — opens after “Okuni's Kabuki Dance”.

7. The Three Worms — opens after “Okuni's Kabuki Dance”.

8. Hanging Monkeys — opens after “The Demon on the Mount”.

Trophy · Bronze

Mystery Solved — Complete your first Mystery of Kyoto — the investigative ‘Curious Cases’ found around the city (8 in total).

Trophy · Silver

Demystified — Complete all 8 Mysteries of Kyoto. Track them in the Curious Cases menu and clear each as you reach its district.

Eighteen bite-sized side missions marked by notebook icons across Kyoto, the temples, the castle and the mountains. Walk up to the marker, speak to the NPC to start it, and complete the short task. They unlock steadily with story progress — there's no wrong order, and none can be permanently lost. Two families make up most of the list: Ace Archer (5 bow-accuracy challenges — great practice toward Deadeye's 100 headshots) and Hidden Treasure (5 dig-site hunts you solve from a clue).

1. Pale Lights in a Night Sky — available as soon as Encounters unlock.

2. Clear Space, Clear Mind — available as soon as Encounters unlock.

3. Ace Archer: Kiyomizu-dera Temple — after “Bloodbath on the Bridge”; a bow-accuracy challenge.

4. Ace Archer: Nijo-jo Castle — after “Bloodbath on the Bridge”; a bow-accuracy challenge.

5. The Growling Ghost — after “A Tempest at the Temple”.

6. Ace Archer: Kyoto Imperial Palace — after “A Tempest at the Temple”; a bow-accuracy challenge.

7. Hidden Treasure No. 1 — after “A Tempest at the Temple”; a dig-site hunt.

8. Hidden Treasure No. 2 — after “To Live is to Suffer”.

9. An Ugly Business — after “To Live is to Suffer”.

10. Noisy Neighbors — after “To Live is to Suffer”.

11. Hidden Treasure No. 3 — after “Okuni's Kabuki Dance”.

12. The Odd Couples — after “Okuni's Kabuki Dance”.

13. A Fishy Story — after “The Demon on the Mount”; a fishing task.

14. Ace Archer: Mount Oe — after “The Demon on the Mount”; a bow-accuracy challenge.

15. Hidden Treasure No. 4 — after “The Demon on the Mount”.

16. Ace Archer: Arashiyama — after “In the Light of an Icy Moon”; a bow-accuracy challenge.

17. Hidden Treasure No. 5 — after “In the Light of an Icy Moon”.

18. Restless Spirits — after “In the Light of an Icy Moon”.

Trophy · Bronze

Life-Saver — Complete your first Chance Encounter — the optional side objectives that pop up as you explore (18 in total).

Trophy · Silver

No Job Too Small — Complete all 18 Chance Encounters. A few only appear after story progress, so revisit districts and watch the map for new markers.

As you explore you'll find civilians and merchants under attack by Genma. Step in and cut the demons down — rescue 30 townspeople in total for Citizen Savior (you'll pass 30 well before the end just by helping everyone you see), and save a cornered merchant at least once for Selfish Selflessness.

Trophy · Bronze

Citizen Savior — Rescue 30 townspeople from attacking Genma and speak to each afterward — the conversation is what banks the count.

Trophy · Bronze

Selfish Selflessness — Rescue a merchant being attacked by Genma (a special townsfolk rescue). Saving one also opens their shop.