Where to Go After Beating Hornet in Hollow Knight

Congratulations, brave Knight! Your victory over the protective Hornet in Greenpath is a major milestone, rewarding you with the crucial Mothwing Cloak. This powerful dash ability shatters previous barriers, dramatically expanding the world of Hallownest for you to explore. But with so many new paths now open, knowing your next objective can be confusing.
This comprehensive guide will outline the optimal route to take after defeating Hornet, ensuring you efficiently unlock new abilities, discover vital areas, and continue your journey deeper into the kingdom's hauntingly beautiful depths.

1. Immediate Next Steps: The Lake of Unn and Quirrel

Directly to the left of Hornet's arena, a new path awaits. Use your newfound dash to cross previously impassable gaps. A short journey will lead you to the serene and mysterious Lake of Unn. Here, you’ll find a small shack housing a bench to save your progress and, more importantly, the friendly wanderer Quirrel. Speaking with him is essential to starting his NPC questline, which will intertwine with your own at key moments later in the game.

2. Optional but Recommended: Securing the Hunter's Journal

Before diving too deep, consider a detour to the far right side of Greenpath. Tucked away in a secluded cave is The Hunter. He will gift you the Hunter's Journal, an invaluable tool that acts as a bestiary. As you defeat foes, it fills with entries, and upon meeting certain quotas, it reveals hidden lore and secrets about the enemies of Hallownest. It’s a must-have for completionists and lore enthusiasts.

3. The Critical Path: Toward the Mantis Claw

Your primary goal is to acquire another essential movement upgrade. To do this, you must venture downward from Greenpath into Fog Canyon (exercise extreme caution around the volatile jellyfish) and then into the Fungal Wastes.

• Navigate to Queen's Station: Your first key landmark in this new region is the Queen's Station Stagway. Unlocking this station is paramount for fast travel and future convenience.
• Enter Mantis Village: From the Fungal Wastes, seek the entrance to the Mantis Village in the lower right section. This is a zone that tests your combat and platforming skills.
• Claim Your Prize: You do not need to defeat the challenging Mantis Lords boss fight yet. Instead, explore the left side of the village's main chamber to find a hut containing the Mantis Claw. This wall-jump ability is a game-changer, opening up vertical exploration across the entire map.

4. Gaining Entry to the City of Tears

With the Mantis Claw in hand, you can now access the heart of the ancientcivilization. From the top of Mantis Village, ascend through a series of challenging, thorn-filled rooms. At the peak, you will find a massive,sealed gate guarded by a statue. If you discovered the City Crest in the Forgotten Crossroads, you can insert it here to unlock the entrance to the City of Tears.

Be prepared: the gate seals behind you, so ensure you are ready for asignificant new chapter. This rain-soaked, melancholic city is asprawling hub filled with secrets, new enemies, and critical upgrades.

5. Prioritize Your Power: Upgrade Your Nail

Upon entering the City of Tears, your immediate priority should bestrengthening your weapon. In the bottom-left quadrant of the city, youwill find the Nailsmith. For 250 Geo, he can performthe first upgrade to your nail, significantly boosting your damageoutput and making subsequent battles far more manageable. Scour the city for Geo and remember his location for future, more powerfulenhancements.

6. Smart Investments: Returning to Dirtmouth

Before you become completely engrossed in the City of Tears, it is highly advised to return to the surface town of Dirtmouth. The shopkeeper, Sly, now sells two incredibly important items:

• Simple Key (950 Geo): Unlocks areas like the Royal Waterways.
• Lumafly Lantern (1800 Geo): Essential for illuminating pitch-black zones like Deepnest and Crystal Peak.

To afford these, seek out Relic Seeker Lemm in the City of Tears. He will purchase any Wanderer's Journals,Hallownest Seals, or other artifacts you've found on your travels forlarge sums of Geo, funding your key purchases and nail upgrades.

By following this structured path, you will seamlessly transition from the early game into the vast mid-game of Hollow Knight, fully equipped touncover the deep mysteries and enduring legacy of Hallownest.

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