Strange Tales of the Fins Quest Walkthrough (Wuthering Waves)

Set near the Heart of Flames in Wuthering Waves, the Side Quest Strange Tales of the Fins starts with an old man beside a river boasting about a huge catch, despite nothing around him matching his story. The quest takes you through a changing “anomaly,” a rescue, and a brief return to reality.

Quick answer: Finish the Xuanfang main story quest to unlock it, then travel to the Heart of Flames, follow the markers through the lantern gates using the Heart of Flames Key, save the child Wu Yunshou, and report back to the old man to complete it.

Image credit: KURO GAMES via YouTube/@happypack

How to unlock Strange Tales of the Fins

Clearing the Xuanfang main story quest unlocks this quest and adds it to your quest tab. Track it, check its attached WavesLine message, and then plot a course to the Heart of Flames, where an old man NPC waits by the water.

Strange Tales of the Fins walkthrough

Head to the Heart of Flames and talk to the old man by the river. His story about catching a huge fish sets up the quest and points you toward the first search area.

Follow the quest marker to the wrecked boat sitting in the river. Approach it to investigate the “anomaly” the old man was describing.

Move to the next marked location and pick up the Heart of Flames Key. This item is what powers the lanterns you will need throughout the rest of the quest.

Walk up to the lanterns and use the key to light them. Once both are lit, pass through the gate that forms between them to reach the area Abby sensed.

Go to the shore and speak with the serious man there. After the conversation, head to the next anomaly point, light the lanterns again with the Heart of Flames Key, and step through the gate a second time.

Look over the anomalies in the area and defeat the monsters attacking the child. Clear them all out, then check on the child once the fight ends.

Travel to the village and find the child, named Wu Yunshou. Speak with him to advance the story toward its final beat.

Return to reality and go back to the old man by the shore. Talking to him closes out the quest.

Strange Tales of the Fins rewards

Reward	Amount
Astrites	40
Advanced Resonance Potion	2
Advanced Energy Core	2
Shell Credit	20,000

Finishing the quest also unlocks the A Whole Life in a Single Fin trophy, so there is a small achievement payoff on top of the materials and currency.

How to confirm the quest is complete

You will know Strange Tales of the Fins is finished once the final dialogue with the old man ends and the reward screen shows the 40 Astrites, potions, energy cores, and Shell Credit. The quest drops out of your active tracker at the same time, and the A Whole Life in a Single Fin trophy registers in your achievements.