A missing shopkeeper, a trail of clues, and a mystery hiding behind Hyrule’s bustling markets-here’s how to track down the elusive owner and complete “The Missing Owner” side quest in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Particularly, “The Missing Owner” is a fairly involved quest, as you’re tasked to defeat a Molduga in order to rescue an NPC. That said, the rewards are worth the time – the Molduga has great materials to use in Fuse combinations, and completing the quest will grant you the chance to craft the Scimitar of the Seven, arguably one of the best weapons in the game.
If you’re looking for tips to defeat the Molduga or if you’re just curious about how to get started, you can find “The Missing Owner” quest steps below.
‘The Missing Owner’ quest steps
The Missing Owner quest steps: Follow the港 respawned clue trail from the harbor to the ruined shop, inspect the overturned cart for a hidden note, decode the markings to locate the secret cellar, retrieve the owner’s letter from the chest within, and report back to the informant to complete the side quest.
There are two main parts to “The Missing Owner” – the first sees you chat with Cara, who’s at the jewelry shop in Gerudo Town, and the second is to rescue Isha from the Molduga over at the Toruma Dunes.
How to start ‘The Missing Owner’ quest
Begin at the nearby beacon and follow the map marker to the collapsed shrine; inspect the pedestal, then search the surrounding area for clues to trigger the quest’s progression.
After you’re done with the Lightning Temple, new quests will become available around Gerudo Town. If you enter the jewelry store at the coordinates (-3831, -2879, 0044), you’ll find Cara. The character is trying to locate Isha, the owner, who was last seen around the Toruma Dunes.
Before you depart to find the store owner, Cara warns you that the area is known for being the home of the Molduga – a massive creature that swims underneath the sand and quickly begins a chase if you get close to it.
Alike every enemy, the Molduga has one particular weak point that you can exploit as part of your strategy for the encounter.
Find Isha
After speaking with Rozel at the lakeside stable, your first task is to locate Isha, who has disappeared from Tarrey Town. Travel there and explore the nearby areas to pick up clues from the townsfolk about her whereabouts. You’ll learn that she set out toward the Great Abandoned Central Mine, hoping to find rare ores. Head to the Depths in that area and follow any Goron tracks or mining tools scattered around until you spot her. Once you find Isha, speak with her to proceed to the next part of the quest.
As we mentioned, Isha is stranded in the Toruma Dunes. The spot is around the coordinates (-4765, -2828, 0029.)
You’ll be able to see it from a distance – Isha is standing on a rock, next to a campfire that produces a smoke signal.
Now, you can either talk to Isha first and then get to the Molduga, or vice-versa. Either way, as soon as you start getting close, the Molduga will start chasing you.
How to rescue Isha
Isha rescue guide text for “The Missing Owner” subtitle:
Isha is stranded atop a rock in the Toruma Dunes and won’t move until the Molduga nearby is defeated. Use time bombs or bombs to lure the Molduga out, then attack while it’s exposed; bomb arrows help stun it for extra hits. After the Molduga is defeated, return to Isha to complete the rescue and reunite Cara with the jewelry shop, earning a Diamond and the Scimitar of the Seven and Daybreaker crafting options.
Isha is being chased by a Molduga. While she’s safe where she’s standing, she won’t be able to return to the store until the miniboss is defeated. If you need to prepare yourself beforehand, you’re free to go somewhere else and return later.
Molduga is a sneaky miniboss in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The creature spends most of the time underneath sand, cruising around until something – or someone – gets its attention. Then, it’ll quickly move toward its target and attempt to eat it, providing a window to counter-attack.
As terrifying as it sounds, that’s also the key strategy of the encounter. In order to beat Molduga, you need to have the perfect bait for it. For a step-by-step breakdown of how to defeat Molduga, make sure to visit our dedicated page.
Once the Molduga encounter is settled, Isha will automatically initiate a convo to thank Link. Then, she’ll head back, and you should too – after grabbing some really hefty monster parts from the miniboss.
Head back to Cara
Head back to Cara
Return to the jewelry shop in Gerudo Town, and chat with Cara. She will also express her thanks, and the quest will be over.
‘The Missing Owner’ reward
Completing “The Missing Owner” side quest earns you a valuable reward once the missing proprietor is safely returned. After delivering the Hateno Village shopkeeper back to the dye shop, Link receives a special item and access to unique dye services again. The reward not only restores the shop’s full operation but also provides a satisfying payoff for solving the mystery and helping the local community.
Cara will give you a diamond for your troubles. This will come in handy, as you’ll be offered a second quest called “Pride of the Gerudo” afterward. For this, you can trade 10 flint, four diamonds, and both a Gerudo Scimitar and Gerudo Shield for the Scimitar of the Seven, as well as the Daybreaker shield.
How to defeat Molduga in Toruma Dunes
Defeating the Molduga in Toruma Dunes requires baiting it out of the sand and striking while it’s stunned, as it detects vibrations and attacks anything moving on the sand. This Molduga guards Isha during “The Missing Owner” quest at coordinates around (-3400, -3200, 0005), north of Miryotanog Shrine.
Preparation Tips
Climb to a high rock or solid ground nearby to avoid detection, as the Molduga ignores you off the sand. Equip strong melee weapons, Bomb Flowers (found in caves), a bow for Bomb Arrows, and armor like Barbarian or Fierce Deity sets for extra attack power. Cook Hearty Durians for temporary hearts if needed.
Combat Steps
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From your vantage point, shoot a plain arrow, Brightbloom Seed, or drop food like Hydromelons onto the sand to create noise; a question mark appears above the Molduga’s position.
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When it leaps to “eat” the bait, shoot a Bomb Flower arrow at its exposed belly to explode and stun it mid-air.
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Rush in during the stun (10+ seconds), target the head or belly with heavy melee attacks like spins, then retreat before it recovers and thrashes.
Repeat and Rewards
Repeat the bait-explode-attack cycle 2-3 times until defeated; use Sidon’s water shield if available to survive chases. Loot includes Molduga Jaw (fuse power 32), treasure chests, and materials; speak to Isha post-fight.
Where are the other 3 Molduga locations
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, four Molduga roam the Gerudo Desert sands, excluding the one in Toruma Dunes from “The Missing Owner” quest.
East Barrens
Found northeast of Gerudo Town near Siwakama Shrine, circling at approximately (-2353, -3374, 0022) or (-2439, -3319, 0039).
Palu Wasteland South
Southeast of Gerudo Town in open sands at around (-3219, -3337, 0015), (-3475, -3259, 0026), or (-3321, -3329, 0016).
North Gerudo Ruins
North of Gerudo Town between North Gerudo Ruins and West Barrens at roughly (-3986, -2679, 0038), (-3974, -2586, 0043), or (-4026, -2587, 0040).
