On Ashes of the Damned, a lot of people fly straight past the little shed by Blackwater Lake and never realise there's a quick side challenge sitting right there. If you've been farming points, hunting salvage, or even messing around after a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby session, this Easter Egg is worth learning because it pays out fast and doesn't need some huge setup. The whole thing starts in the southwest corner of the lake. Inside that shed, near the crafting table everybody swarms in the early game, there's a small trophy you can interact with. It's easy to miss. Hit it, listen for the sound cue, watch for the flash, then head back outside. That's when you'll notice a Combat Axe stuck in a tree stump nearby. Pulling it out is what really gets the challenge moving.
How the target sequence works
Once the axe is in your hands, purple targets begin appearing around the edge of the lake. At first, it feels simple enough. The early ones stay put, so you can take your time, line up the throw, and get a feel for the timing. Then it changes. The later targets don't just hang there waiting for you. They drift, slide, and move in awkward patterns that can throw you off if you rush it. That's the part that catches most players. They assume it's a free reward, then suddenly they're wasting throws while zombies close in from every side. You've got to stay calm and actually read the movement before letting the axe fly.
Why it gets messy in real matches
The biggest problem is that the Combat Axe has real travel and real drop. It doesn't go exactly where your crosshair says if the target is far out. You've got to aim a little higher, and sometimes a little wider, especially when one of those later targets starts drifting across the waterline. Sounds manageable on paper. In an actual match, not so much. If your train gets sloppy, or one fast zombie clips you from the side, the whole rhythm falls apart. I learned pretty quickly that this Easter Egg works best when you thin the crowd first, leave one or two behind, and only then go for the harder shots. Otherwise, it turns into panic throwing.
What you get for finishing it
If you hit every target in order, Mr. Peeks shows up and drops your reward. That alone makes it feel more fun than a lot of the smaller side objectives on the map. Usually you'll get a nice chunk of Essence and Salvage, which is already useful if you're trying to get set for mid rounds. Every now and then, though, the game gives you something better. A Perk, stronger upgrade materials, maybe enough value to completely change your next few rounds. It's not guaranteed, but it's absolutely worth doing if you're nearby and your run still has some breathing room.
A smart little detour for co-op runs
In co-op, this side quest gets even better because it turns into a low-key race. One player spots the trophy, another sprints for the axe, and suddenly everybody wants the reward before someone else claims it. Since it can only be completed once per match, there's a bit of friendly greed built into it. That's honestly part of the charm. It breaks up the normal Zombies loop and gives the squad something different to focus on for a minute. If you're planning longer sessions, stacking up resources early matters, and this challenge can help more than people think, especially if you're the kind of player who likes to buy CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies for faster progression and then jump into real matches better prepared.
