What to know
- The Relic of Darkness is obtained from a hidden strongbox puzzle in Eastern Hill, Delesyia.
- You must access a secret room by pushing a bookshelf inside a secluded cabin.
- The puzzle requires precise D-Pad spin inputs in descending order.
- Staying in the area until the theft notice appears is critical for proper completion.
You’ll find that Crimson Desert hides some of its best gear behind clever environmental puzzles, and the Relic of Darkness is a perfect example. This guide walks you through exact location details, puzzle mechanics, and how to secure the reward without missing progression triggers.
Crimson Desert Relic of Darkness details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Item Name | Relic of Darkness |
| Type | Necklace |
| Location | Eastern Hill, Delesyia |
| Acquisition Method | Strongbox puzzle in secret room |
| Key Bonus | Spirit regeneration + Crit Rate |
| Missable Condition | Leaving before theft notice triggers |
Crimson Desert Eastern Hills Strongbox puzzle location
You’ll need to travel to Eastern Hill in the Delesyia region, which is a relatively quiet area compared to other zones. The cabin you’re looking for is intentionally tucked away, making it easy to overlook if you’re rushing through exploration.
Once you arrive, look for a small, isolated wooden house surrounded by light vegetation and minimal activity. This is not marked prominently, so manual exploration is key here. When you enter the cabin, the environment may seem ordinary at first, but the puzzle lies beneath the surface—literally.
Inside the cabin, head to the far end of the ground floor, where you’ll notice a bookshelf placed against the wall. This is your entry point into the hidden section.
Accessing the secret room behind the bookshelf
To proceed, interact with the bookshelf and push it aside. This reveals a concealed passage leading into a secret room. The game doesn’t explicitly highlight this interaction, so you must actively test the environment for hidden mechanics.
Once inside, you’ll immediately spot the strongbox puzzle, which is the core challenge tied to the Relic of Darkness.
Eastern Hill strongbox puzzle solution
The strongbox puzzle revolves around precise directional inputs using the D-Pad, where each button corresponds to a number of spins. Timing and sequence matter, so input errors can reset your attempt.
- Hold the first D-Pad button for 6 spins. This sets the initial rotation and aligns the mechanism. All buttons are numbered from left to right.
- Move to the second button and hold for 5 spins. The pattern begins decreasing, which is key to solving it.
- Use the third button for 4 spins. Maintain consistent timing—rushing or over-holding can invalidate the sequence.
- Press the fourth button for 3 spins. By now, the pattern should feel intuitive.
- Finish with the fifth button for 2 spins. This completes the sequence and unlocks the strongbox.
The sequence follows a clear descending pattern (6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2), making it easier to remember once you understand the logic.
What makes the Relic of Darkness valuable
Once the puzzle is solved, you’ll receive the Relic of Darkness, a necklace that offers a strong mix of offensive and utility bonuses.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack | +2 |
| Critical Rate | +1 |
| Spirit Regen | +0.1 per second |
| Refinement | Available |
The standout feature here is the passive spirit regeneration, which provides consistent resource recovery during combat, making it especially useful for longer fights or ability-heavy builds.
Additionally, the slight boost to critical rate adds extra damage potential, making this necklace a well-rounded early-to-mid game accessory.
Important tip about the theft notice trigger
One of the most commonly missed details is the theft notice mechanic tied to this puzzle. After acquiring the relic, you should leave the area immediately.
Immediately leave the red area from the house or the vicinity where the theft notice is active, as this ensures proper quest tracking and prevents potential progression issues. Leaving too early may cause inconsistencies or missed triggers, depending on your current quest state.
If you enjoy uncovering hidden mechanics and secret rewards, this is one of the more satisfying discoveries in the Crimson Desert. The combination of a hidden room, a logic-based puzzle, and a meaningful reward makes it worth the effort.
Just remember that execution matters as much as discovery, especially with the spin-based puzzle and the theft notice timing. Get both right, and you’ll walk away with one of the more versatile early accessories in Crimson Desert.
