The Red Key is a story-gated item obtained after the first prologue boss from the Rotund Gatekeeper, and once you have it you can return to the Abandoned Village locked house to open the Strongbox for Amber and an Ancient Book.
You cannot clear this chest the moment you first find the locked door in the Abandoned Village. Keep pushing Chapter 1 until the Red Key comes through story progress, not from searching the village.
Red Key source and Strongbox rewards
| Item | Location |
|---|---|
| Red Key | Story-gated reward from the Rotund Gatekeeper after the first prologue boss |
| Locked door | House in the Abandoned Village, close to the Golem Emma talks to |
| Strongbox | Inside the Red Key house in the Abandoned Village |
| Rewards | Amber and an Ancient Book |
KEY!The Red Key door is tied to the early Oguchi Buffer Zone route. The locked house sits in the Abandoned Village, near the Village Surroundings campsite, while the key itself comes through story progress after the first prologue boss from the Rotund Gatekeeper.
How to get the Red Key and open Strongbox in Beast of Reincarnation
This route starts when you spot the unreachable Strongbox, then sends you forward through the main story until the Red Key is handed over.
STEP 1/5
Find the Strongbox
The chest is shown above a nearby character in the Abandoned Village, but it needs the Red Key before you can open it.
STEP 2/5
Check the Red Key requirement
The locked route is blocked by a Red Key prompt, so leave it for now instead of searching the house area.
STEP 3/5
Return once you have the key
After story progress gives you the Red Key, head back toward the Abandoned Village Strongbox.
STEP 4/5
Open the Strongbox
Loot the Strongbox for Amber and an Ancient Book.
STEP 5/5
Progress past the early story gate
The Red Key comes through Chapter 1 story progress after the first prologue boss, from the Rotund Gatekeeper.
Video help
Use the Red Key at the Abandoned Village locked house
Once the main quest has advanced past the early prologue stretch, the Rotund Gatekeeper hands over the Red Key. The Golem gatekeeper in Subcity 03 guards the large sealed door there, but that is not where you obtain this starting-area key.
Stop searching the Abandoned Village once you hit the Red Key door; push the main story until you get the key from the Rotund Gatekeeper, then fast travel back.
Strongbox rewards and backtracking value
The Abandoned Village Strongbox gives Amber and an Ancient Book in the launch build. That makes it useful completion loot, especially if you are sweeping early Chapter 1 areas, but it is not a major weapon, armor piece, or build-changing upgrade.
Red Key mistake in the Abandoned Village
The most common mistake is assuming the Red Key is hidden somewhere around the locked house. It is not a local village pickup; continue the main story until the Red Key is handed over instead of burning time circling the Abandoned Village.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you open the Abandoned Village Strongbox the first time you find it?
No. The Red Key door appears before you have the Red Key, so the Strongbox is meant to be opened later.
Where exactly do you get the Red Key?
You get it from the Rotund Gatekeeper after the first prologue boss through Chapter 1 story progress.
What is inside the Strongbox Treasure Chest?
The chest contains Amber and an Ancient Book.
Which key do you need for this Abandoned Village chest?
The Abandoned Village locked house uses the Red Key.
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