The Sharpened Spear III challenge in Crimson Desert requires players to take down five enemies within a 15-second window using only Stab attacks. Completing this challenge rewards an Abyss Artifact, and the task can be accomplished at Hook Rapids in the northern Hernandan Territory.
Quick answer: Find the Sealed Abyss Artifact at Hills of No Return to activate the challenge, then travel to Hook Rapids and defeat five bandits using Stab attacks within 15 seconds.
Activating the Sharpened Spear III Challenge
The challenge begins when you open a Sealed Abyss Artifact located at the Hills of No Return in Hernandan Territory. The artifact is housed in a small stone structure marked with a wooden cross. Interact with the structure by holding R2 to open it and retrieve the black, hexagonal artifact with glowing symbols.
Once acquired, the Sharpened Spear III challenge notification appears on the left side of your screen, displaying the objective: "Take down 5 enemies within 15 seconds using the Stab attack." You can also view this challenge in your Journal under the Challenges tab, where it shows a progress counter (0/5) and lists the Abyss Artifact reward.
Challenge Location and Enemy Setup
Hook Rapids provides an ideal location to complete this challenge. The area is situated in the northern part of the Hernand region, specifically at Hook Rapids Hearth. A group of bandits congregates along the path near this location, offering multiple targets in close proximity.
The bandit group typically includes enough enemies to meet the five-kill requirement. Their positioning allows you to engage them quickly without needing to search for scattered opponents across the map.
Completing the Five-Kill Requirement
Engage the bandit group and focus exclusively on Stab attacks. The moment you defeat your first enemy with a Stab attack, a timer appears on the left side of your screen showing "Take down 5 enemies within 15 seconds using the Stab attack [1/5] - 0:15." The counter updates with each successful kill, and the timer counts down from 15 seconds.
Manage your stamina carefully during the fight. The "Not enough Stamina" warning can interrupt your attack sequence, so pace your Stab attacks to maintain enough stamina for continuous strikes. Prioritize targets that are already damaged or isolated to maximize your efficiency within the time limit.
When you successfully defeat the fifth enemy within the 15-second window, the challenge completes automatically, and the Abyss Artifact is added to your inventory.
Woodcutter in Peril Faction Quest
After completing the Sharpened Spear III challenge at Hook Rapids, you can rescue a tied-up woodcutter near the bandit camp. This NPC is part of a faction quest called "Woodcutter in Peril," which falls under the Hernand Requests category in the Tales from the Corners of Hernand quest line.
Approach the woodcutter and hold R2 to untie him. Once freed, he thanks you and offers access to nearby wood as a reward. The quest completes immediately, granting you 20 Timber and 10 Fine Timber. The completion notification displays "QUEST COMPLETED - Faction Quests | Woodcutter in Peril - Rescue the woodcutter."
You can review the completed quest in your Journal under Faction Quests → Hernand Requests → Tales from the Corners of Hernand → Woodcutter in Peril. The quest description reads: "The woodcutter was freed after defeating all the bandits. His face still held a frightened look."
Challenge Rewards and Quest Benefits
| Activity | Reward | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpened Spear III Challenge | Abyss Artifact | Challenge |
| Woodcutter in Peril | Timber x20, Fine Timber x10 | Faction Quest |
Both activities can be completed during a single visit to Hook Rapids. The bandit group you defeat for the Sharpened Spear III challenge is the same group holding the woodcutter captive, allowing you to accomplish both objectives efficiently. The Abyss Artifact serves as a collectible item, while the Timber and Fine Timber provide crafting materials for various upgrades and construction projects.
Note: The 15-second timer for the challenge is strict. If you fail to defeat five enemies within the time limit, you will need to find another bandit group and attempt the challenge again. The timer resets each time you initiate combat with a new group of enemies.