You’re wandering around the sun-drenched streets of Honolulu in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, maybe looking for a specific photo spot or just trying to dodge those annoying high-level punks near the docks, when you stumble into it. The "King of the Tunnel" side quest—officially Substory 35—isn't just another checklist item. It’s a weird, slightly claustrophobic, and surprisingly tough encounter that catches a lot of players off guard because it forces you to deal with a specific type of enemy logic that the rest of the game doesn't always emphasize.
Honestly? It's one of those quests that makes you realize Ichiban Kasuga’s imagination is both his greatest strength and his most annoying quirk.
Most people hit this quest and think they can just steamroll it with basic attacks or whatever high-damage essence they just unlocked. Wrong. If you go in underleveled or without a grasp of how the "King" actually functions, you’re going to spend a lot of time staring at the "Retry" screen while a guy in a weird outfit laughs at you. Let's break down exactly what happens in the tunnel and why the community keeps complaining about the difficulty spike here.
What's Actually Going on With Substory 35?
To trigger this, you need to head over to the Anaconda Shopping Center area, specifically near the park entrance that leads toward the underground passages. You’ll meet a group of kids—the "Tunnel Hunters"—who are obsessed with a legendary figure living in the shadows. It sounds like a typical urban legend until you realize this guy, the "King," is actually a high-level combatant who uses the environment to his advantage.
The quest is gated by your progress in Chapter 4. If you try to rush it the second you land in Hawaii, you’ll get wrecked. The game doesn't explicitly tell you that the "King" is basically a mini-boss with inflated HP and a very specific resistance profile.
He’s a man named "The Iron Mask," and he’s not alone. He’s got a crew. The fight takes place in a cramped space. This is the first thing you have to account for: the geometry. In Infinite Wealth, positioning is everything. In a tunnel, your area-of-effect (AoE) attacks are God-tier, but if you get backed into a corner, the AI will punish you with wall-bounce damage that stacks up faster than you’d think.
The Strategy Nobody Tells You
Stop trying to use blunt force.
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The King of the Tunnel has a high resistance to basic physical strikes. If Ichiban is just swinging a bat, you’re chipping away at a mountain. You need elemental coverage. Specifically, electricity. Most of the enemies in this specific substory are weak to electric damage, which makes the Cabbie job or the Host job extremely viable here. If you’ve spent any time at Alo-Happy Resort, make sure you’ve inherited at least one lightning-based skill onto your main damage dealer.
Why the "King" is a Wall
It’s the defensive buffs. Halfway through the fight, the King will buff his defense and start using "grab" moves. Grabs are the bane of a turn-based RPG player's existence because they bypass your guard.
- Priority One: Kill the minions first. It sounds basic. It is basic. Yet, people ignore it. The minions provide distractions and can inflict "Stun," which wastes your turns.
- Priority Two: Use the environment. The tunnel is littered with objects. Use Ichiban’s ability to pick up bicycles or traffic cones. These deal massive "heavy" damage that can break the King's guard.
- Priority Three: Buff your agility. If you can outpace the King in the turn order, you can keep him stun-locked.
I’ve seen players try to beat this at level 18. Don't do that to yourself. Wait until you're at least level 22 or 23. The stat curve in Infinite Wealth is steeper than Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and every single point of Defense counts when you’re trapped in a literal hole in the ground.
The Weird Lore Behind the Mask
Sega loves a good callback. The King of the Tunnel isn't just a random NPC; he represents the "underground" culture that has been a staple of the series since the Purgatory days in Kamurocho.
But there's a human element here. Ichiban doesn't just beat him up for the sake of it. The substory concludes with a realization about why people hide away in these spaces. It’s about escapism. It’s about creating a world where you’re the "King" because the real world above ground treated you like garbage.
The dialogue after the fight is actually some of the better writing in the side content. It leans into Ichiban's "Hero" persona—he doesn't just win; he rehabilitates. If you skip the cutscenes because you’re frustrated with the fight, you’re missing the actual point of the quest.
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Equipment Check: What You Need
Before you step into that tunnel, check your gear. You shouldn't be wearing the "Default" rags.
- Weapon: Make sure your weapon is at least Grade 3 or 4. Visit Julie’s Gearworks. If you haven't upgraded your bat to the "Hero's Bat" variant yet, stop what you’re doing and go do that.
- Charms: Equip something that prevents "Paralysis." The King’s lackeys love to use cheap tricks.
- Healing Items: Stock up on Ahi Poke Bowls. They’re cheap in Honolulu and provide a decent HP/MP split.
The MP management is actually where most people fail. Because the King has so much health, you’ll burn through your MP using your best skills, and then you’re left with basic attacks that do 15 damage. Bring some "Tauiner" or "Staminan" drinks. You’ll need them.
Common Misconceptions About the Reward
Is the reward worth the headache?
Mostly. You get some decent experience points and a piece of gear that helps with your defense stats in the mid-game. But the real reward is the Sujimon. Yes, the King of the Tunnel is a prime candidate for your Sujimon team. If you’re deep into the Sujimon League sub-game, capturing him is almost mandatory for a balanced "tough" type slot on your roster.
People think you get a legendary weapon. You don't. You get a story and a solid addition to your collection. Manage your expectations.
Step-by-Step Recovery Plan
If you just got wiped, here is exactly what you do to win on the second attempt.
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First, go to the nearest shrine and pray for a temporary stat boost. It’s a small percentage, but it helps. Next, change Adachi’s job to something with more bulk, like Detective or Enforcer. He needs to be your tank. Use his "Hang-up" skill to keep the King busy while Ichiban and Tomizawa dish out the elemental damage.
Focus all your fire on the King once the smaller guys are down. Do not spread your damage thin. In Infinite Wealth, an enemy with 1 HP does just as much damage as an enemy with 100% HP. Finish them off one by one.
The "King of the Tunnel" side quest serves as a mid-game skill check. It’s the game’s way of asking: "Do you actually understand the mechanics, or are you just mashing buttons?" Once you treat it like a tactical encounter rather than a street brawl, the King falls pretty quickly.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your Level: Ensure Ichiban is at least Level 22. If not, grind the nearby Anaconda dungeon for 20 minutes.
- Visit Julie’s Gearworks: Upgrade your primary weapons to at least +10. The extra attack power is the difference between a 5-minute fight and a 15-minute slog.
- Slot Elemental Skills: Go to the Alo-Happy Resort and unlock the Cabbie or Host skills. Inherit a "Lightning" skill to Ichiban to exploit the King's hidden weaknesses.
- Stock up on Consumables: Purchase at least 5 MP-recovery items from the local pharmacy or convenience store to ensure you don't run out of juice mid-fight.
The tunnel is dark, but the strategy is clear. Get in there and take the crown.