The Don Corneo's Secret Stash sidequest will have you backtracking throughout the Slums in Final Fantasy VII Remake, but the rewards will be very much worth it.
To start this quest, pay a visit to Damon, the reporter you first encountered way back when Aerith first joined the party. He can be found by the crossroads north of Sector 5 Central District (the one that leads to the Station).
NOTE: This is a good opportunity to complete a few side-quests at once, so make sure you have picked up at least Missing Children from Ms. Folia at the Leaf House, Secret Medicine from the Doctor opposite the bar, and Chocobo Search from the Stablehand just north of Sector 5.
If you have already picked up Tomboy Bandit from Johnny at the Station, then Damon will be waiting for you in front of the Church instead.
Damon will tell you about clues to Don Corneo's secret stashes, opening a new point of interest at the top of Steel Moutain. He'll also drop the nugget that Mireille, the Guardian Angel of the Slums, might just have the key.
He'll task you with visiting her hideout, which is the same location (Lookout Point) as for The Angel of the Slums sidequest back in Chapter 8. Head there and find the Calling Card, which reveals the location of each Corneo Stash. However, there's no key...
Head back into town, stopping to feed the Chocobo slightly west of the Corneo Stash on the way.
Now you can head towards the Station to talk to Johnny. He's lost his wallet, and will give you the Tomboy Bandit quest in order to help him retrieve it. Simply head past the Station on this path to reach the Church — there's another Chocobo to feed on the way.
Inside, you'll confront the thief, Kyrie. Before she'll give you both the key and Johnny's wallet, she wants you to take some Shinra goons to task. That means a trip to Wall Market and the Colosseum.
You can pick up the Medicinal Flowers for the Secret Medicine quest now, then make your way to 'Vegas of the Slums'.
Beastmaster Fight
You've fought the Beastmaster before, and this time he still has nothing special to trouble you — a few physical attacks will see to him. However, you do need to pay attention to his Hellhound, which can be a tricky foe.
It has two colored flames, which dictate how you should proceed:
- Red Flame: Use Ice magic;
- Purple Flame: Hit the Hellhound with the strongest Cure magic possible.
Using both of these should extinguish the flames and stagger the hound (Blizzaga should stagger in one hit), so this is your opportunity to give it the strongest physical attacks you have. It will then enrage, so get ready to dodge and block these heavy hitters.
Repeat this routine a few times, and it should fall. Head back to Kyrie in the Church to get Johnny's Wallet and the Corneo Vault Key.
If you've done all this right, a Discovery Event pops up at the Station — head there to return Johnny's wallet. If you've done all of the Johnny Discovery Events so far, this will award you with The Johnny Experience trophy.
Back at the Church, Mireille will set you on your way to Corneo's secret stashes.
Don Corneo's Secret Stash Locations
- Stash #1: This one is on the road between the Church and Sector 5, next to the Chocobo fast travel point. You literally can't miss it. You'll pick up a Prayer Materia, a Circlet accessory, and the Ruby Tiara Key Item.
- Stash #2: Easiest thing here is to fast travel to the chocobo post at the Collapsed Expressway, head through the tunnel, then left at the split. You'll get two Moogle Medals and the Diamond Tiara Key Item.
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Stash #3: This one involves continuing with the story in order to head into the Sewers. After the battle with the Mischievous Shoat, continue on. Instead of going up the ladder, use the control panel to the right to drain the water.
You can now head back to the stash, defeating the Sahagin Prince (use Fire!) on the way, and claim the Emerald Tiara.
Now head to see Marle at Evergreen Park (southeast of Wall Market). You'll hand over the three Tiaras and get The Art of Swordplay Vol. III Manuscript as your reward, as well as restoring your HP and MP.
If you haven't already done so, you can now take on The Subterranean Menace sidequest, the entrance to which is at Evergreen Park.
