Crimson Desert Bustling Hill is the Chapter 3 mission where you expand Howling Hill Camp by dispatching Luke and Ronald. Open the world map, inspect Howling Hill, select the Camp Expansion mission and assign both comrades. The dispatch takes around 17–18 in-game hours, which can pass while you rest or explore elsewhere.
The map menu is what catches players out. You can’t start construction simply by speaking to Luke or collecting wood yourself. This walkthrough explains the exact map actions, unlock requirement, timer and what to do when the comrades or mission aren’t selectable.
When does Crimson Desert Bustling Hill unlock?
Crimson Desert Bustling Hill follows A Gentle Touch in Chapter 3’s Pioneering storyline. By now you’ve reunited with Luke and Ronald, who are needed for Howling Hill Camp Expansion. This is playable in the base game, not a quest exclusive to the upcoming Charting the Unknown DLC.
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Story stage | Chapter 3, Pioneering |
| Previous quest | A Gentle Touch |
| Camp activity | Howling Hill Camp Expansion |
| Assigned comrades | Luke and Ronald |
| Waiting period | About 18 in-game hours |
| Next main quest | Greymanes Reunited |
Gameplay walkthroughs show a 17–18-hour in-game dispatch, depending on the displayed timing. Check the countdown after assigning Luke and Ronald; this quest does not require you to hand in materials yourself.
How to dispatch Howling Hill Camp Expansion
To complete Crimson Desert Bustling Hill, follow the map interface in this order:
- Open the world map and set the filter to All.
- Hover over the Howling Hill camp marker until its name displays.
- Choose Inspect, generally Y on Xbox or Triangle on PlayStation.
- Open Mission List with RB/R1.
- Select Howling Hill Camp Expansion.
- Assign Luke and Ronald and confirm Dispatch.
It’s easy to stop on the camp’s supplies or overview screen by mistake. You need its Mission List, not the usual Journal’s quest list. If the marker is difficult to select, zoom in and check that the All map filter is active. The tracked quest may also offer a shortcut back to the correct map area.
How to complete Crimson Desert Bustling Hill after dispatching
Once you send the comrades, Crimson Desert Bustling Hill becomes a timed job. You can continue playing around Hernand or sleep to advance in-game hours. The main camp tent has a bed that can advance time by up to 12 hours per rest. Check your mission progress after sleeping and complete the remaining time with another rest or a nearby quest.
When the timer reaches 100%, the expansion finishes and Howling Hill gains additional camp structures. Return to the Greymanes and complete the Greymanes Reunited scene, which closes Chapter 3 and leads into the next story chapter. You don’t have to collect the construction output from a separate chest before that conversation.
Why can’t I select Luke and Ronald?
If Crimson Desert Bustling Hill isn’t progressing, confirm A Gentle Touch is marked complete and both comrades are available. Check whether either is already dispatched on another assignment. Also verify you’re using Inspect on the camp itself, rather than selecting a nearby mission pin or the general camp inventory.
If Howling Hill Camp Expansion doesn’t show in Mission List, track Bustling Hill in the Journal and inspect the camp again. Restarting the whole save, travelling to a quarry or farming piles of timber won’t correct a mission locked behind missing recruits or the wrong management tab.
Does Bustling Hill unlock new DLC ships?
Crimson Desert Bustling Hill introduces dispatching, which becomes relevant when Charting the Unknown adds ship-construction dispatches on October 29. However, shipbuilding requires an established Greymane Camp and a further DLC questline. Completing this first Chapter 3 camp expansion won’t automatically give you a vessel.
The later Grounds of the Sunrise faction missions include Secure Resources, Luke’s Request and another camp expansion. Those have their own objectives. For other base-game help, our Silver Pouches guide covers money, while The Mysterious Pot guide deals with a different story blockage.
Related Guides
Sources: Pearl Abyss DLC feature announcement.
