The Collector is a missable activity and task in the 
Kuttenberg region of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. It is tightly linked to the main quest The Devil's Pack, and you should start and complete it while you are searching for Dry Devil's missing comrades.
Missable warning and requirements
This task is highly time-sensitive. You must speak to Bailiff Crux in 
Miskowitz during 
The Devil's Pack and accept the task before you find or kill Matthew on your own.
If you move past The Devil's Pack or deal with Matthew without speaking to the Bailiff first, this quest can become permanently incompletable.
Starting the quest in Miskowitz
To begin the quest, travel to Miskowitz and locate Bailiff Crux. He is typically found near the village center or inside the blacksmith's house. To help the task trigger correctly, follow this dialogue path:
- “I hear Matthew has been disturbing the peace around here.”
- “The Collector?”
- “Where is Matthew causing trouble?”
- “I'd be happy to help.”
Then talk about Janosh and Loyza if you have not already.
The Bailiff will explain that Matthew is a bandit posing as a tariff collector to extort merchants.
He offers a bounty if you can bring Matthew to justice and retrieve a Rare Book from Sedletz Monastery that was stolen.
Tracking Matthew the Collector
Matthew can appear in one of two situations depending on the time of day:
- During the day: He often patrols the main road between Miskowitz and Suchdol. You will likely see a scene of carnage (looted wagons) on the road just before you encounter him and his men.
- During the night: He and his gang retreat to a hidden bandit camp in the woods west of Miskowitz.
Peaceful ending
If you encounter Matthew on the road, he will attempt to “tax” you for 1000 Groschen. You can try to resolve this peacefully with a Medium Speech check (“Did you know there's a bounty on your head?”) or a Hard Intimidate check (“The Devil will have his revenge!”).
If you succeed, you can talk to him again to get the book and buy it for 500 Groschen, or steal it later (see Bad Ending). There are seven bandits total, so attacking them head-on can be difficult.
Bad ending
If the skill checks fail or you approach their camp, the gang turns hostile. Fighting the entire group at once is difficult, so attacking at night is recommended.
Most bandits will be sleeping and unarmored, which makes them much easier to clear with stealth or open combat.
Once Matthew is dealt with, loot his body to find the Rare Book from Sedletz. At the camp, loot the other bandits for Groschen and check the camp chest for supplies.
Killing Matthew does not harm The Devil's Pack main quest, since he cannot be convinced to rejoin the gang no matter what you do.
Rewards and conclusion
Return to Miskowitz and hand the book to Bailiff Crux.
You receive 285 Groschen for completing the task. If you killed Matthew (or successfully claim that you did), your reputation increases.
Finding Matthew, dead or alive, counts toward the five comrades needed for The Dirty Seven achievement at the end of the main storyline.
Next: continue The Devil's Pack.
The Collector FAQ
Can you do The Collector after The Devil's Pack?
Generally no. Treat it as locked to that main quest window. Finish Crux first, then Matthew.
Who is Bailiff Crux?
The Miskowitz bailiff who issues The Collector. He connects the stolen Sedletz book to Matthew.
Is the peaceful route worth it?
It avoids a seven-on-one brawl if your Speech or Intimidate is strong enough. Otherwise, night raids on the camp are safer.
Does this block The Devil's Pack story?
No. Matthew's fate for the band reunion is separate from whether you finish this task, but you still want the task for completion and rewards.
Does Matthew count toward The Dirty Seven?
Yes. Finding him dead or alive counts toward the five comrades for the achievement at the end of the quest line.