Wasn’t This Supposed To Be a Strategy Game? – Chapter 34

Author: B0ucha

The aftermath of the Chupi swarm was absolute chaos—like a battlefield struck by relentless bombardment.

Despite their small size, it was now painfully clear why these creatures caused such severe damage to civilian areas.

And the fact that they abducted children to offer them as tributes? A truly horrific game mechanic.

“Haah…”

Eden finally caught her breath and looked down at her palm.

The hunting party, exhausted and battered, sat slumped on the ground. But Asmun, standing firm, was staring at Eden with unwavering eyes.

“…How did you know they would react to whistling?”

At his question, Eden let out a hollow chuckle.

She picked up the unconscious Chupi that had fallen into her palm and handed it over to one of the knights passing by.

Then she shrugged, looking directly at Asmun.

“I told you, didn’t I? I can see the information of all monsters.”

Asmun’s face stiffened slightly. It was obvious he hadn’t fully believed her until now.

His expression grew serious.

Eden had expected this. The more her unusual ability proved itself, the more suspicion it would inevitably invite.

Just then, Karon, having finished organizing the situation, approached her.

“Priestess, thanks to you, we managed to capture them.”

This was the first time he had personally witnessed her ability in action. His eyes held a mix of admiration and respect.

“They’re called Chupi. That’s the name of this species.”

At that, both Asmun and Karon’s expressions turned slightly strange.

“As you said, Captain, they really do look cute.”

Eden joked, prompting Karon to let out a quiet, amused chuckle.

She was capable of cracking jokes even in a situation like this? He must have been thinking that she was the right person for this job.

“The commotion will attract more monsters. We should leave the forest before they gather.”

The moment he said that, Eden’s eyes widened.

Leave? Already?

She quickly summoned her quest window.

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (12/30)]

Damn it!

Eden clenched her fists in frustration.

Even though she had helped defeat the Chupi, most of them had only been knocked unconscious. Only eleven had died from crashing to the ground.

If they left now, she wouldn’t just be unable to complete the quest—she would lose her chance to obtain anything at all.

And without the quest rewards, clearing the game would be impossible.

‘…I guess I have no choice but to use that method.’

As Karon began reorganizing the hunting party for departure, Eden, still seated on her horse, tightened her grip on the reins.

She truly didn’t want to resort to such a reckless plan.

But she had no other options.

“…….”

Asmun, who had been watching her from the side, noticed the way her face alternated between flushed determination and grim resolve.

He observed silently as Eden finally seemed to reach a decision.

“Move out.”

At Karon’s command, the reorganized hunting party began their march back.

Just as he had predicted, the commotion had drawn mindless monsters from all directions.

Since the knights were already drained from dealing with the Chupi, Karon took the lead in slashing through the approaching creatures.

“…….”

Eden turned her gaze to Asmun, who remained right beside her, showing no intention of helping with the hunt.

He clearly recognized her importance. Enough to endure such a tedious journey for her sake.

Eden took a deep breath and subtly adjusted her grip on the reins.

Her enchanted bracelet was still glowing faintly on her wrist. The magic-infused artifact allowed her to control her horse with absolute precision—an ability she planned to exploit.

‘I’m finishing this quest today.’

Eden was going to use this opportunity and this item to its full potential.

“Oh… Oh no…”

She made her horse sway unsteadily, adding a deliberately panicked tone to her voice.

As expected, Asmun immediately snapped his head toward her.

“Priestess? What’s wrong?”

One of Karon’s knights approached with concern, but before he could react further, Eden sharply tugged the reins.

The horse suddenly reared up on its hind legs, neighing wildly as if in distress.

The entire hunting party came to an abrupt halt.

Seizing the moment, Eden subtly adjusted the reins again.

The horse, as if spooked by some unseen terror, bolted.

“Kyaaah!”

In an instant, Eden was racing away from the formation, galloping down a hidden path into the depths of the forest.

“Priestess!”

Both Asmun and Karon shouted at the same time.

Eden made sure to adjust her speed, ensuring they could keep up with her.

She screamed dramatically as she rode away.

“Help me!”

She needed to lure the monsters in.

Eden snuck a glance behind her—and froze.

Asmun was chasing after her at a terrifying speed.

‘Why—why is he that fast?!’

His face was downright murderous.

For a split second, Eden was convinced that if he caught her, she would not live to see another day.

The sheer pressure of his approach made her body react on instinct—she yanked the reins, urging her horse to go even faster.

Just as she was about to turn her focus back to the path ahead—

“Kyaaaah!”

It worked.

A horde of monsters, drawn by the commotion, came charging toward her from the depths of the forest.

Eden held her breath, tightening her grip on the reins.

The wind felt as sharp as blades against her skin. Her horse was moving at an incredible pace, and the approaching monsters were on a direct collision course with her.

Then—

“Hngh!”

At the perfect moment, she twisted the reins, shifting her direction just slightly.

By the narrowest margin, she avoided the monsters.

Behind her, she heard the sound of shrieking monsters crashing into each other.

At the same time, a quest window popped up before Eden’s eyes.

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (13/30)]

Yes!

It was clear that Asmun was cutting down monsters as he chased after her. Everything was going according to plan.

Eden crouched low, skillfully dodging the monsters lunging at her at terrifying speeds. The frenzied creatures weren’t thinking at all—they just kept throwing themselves forward.

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (15/30)]

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (18/30)]

The quest counter was skyrocketing.

“That’s it!”

Eden cheered internally as she deliberately steered toward an area with even more monsters.

“Priestess!”

Karon’s voice was much closer now. It seemed both men were slashing through the swarming creatures while chasing after her.

“You need to stop, Priestess! Pull the reins!”

Eden glanced at the counter.

[Basic Quest: Exterminate the Western Monsters (29/30)]

Only one left.

No more monsters were in sight, and if she overdid it now, Asmun would definitely start getting suspicious. Just as she was about to steer toward a safe location—

Ding!

A new quest window suddenly appeared in front of her, despite her galloping pace.

[Event Quest]

The master of the Grand Duchy of Yuren, Zephar Yuren, is nearby! Assist Zephar in eliminating ‘Seruka,’ the troublesome monster of the Grand Duchy. Completing this quest will grant you a ‘Special Reward!’

Would you like to proceed with the Event Quest?

“What? An event quest? Here?”

Eden’s brows furrowed at the unexpected development.

She had encountered event quests before in her playthroughs.

A “special reward” was always truly special—but the nature of the reward was completely unpredictable.

She quickly analyzed the situation.

‘Seruka? Wasn’t that the predator mentioned in the Chupi’s information?’

If it was being compared to Chupi, it likely wasn’t a high-tier monster.

She wanted to check Seruka’s details immediately, but there was no time.

Because as she was reading the quest window—Asmun overtook her and blocked her path.

“Ack!”

Asmun raised his sword high, as if about to strike down the horse she was riding.

Eden barely managed to steer away in time.

She successfully dodged his blade—but in the process, the horse let out a panicked shriek and skidded to a stop, throwing her off.

“Ugh…!”

“Priestess!”

Karon had caught up and immediately leaped off his horse to help her.

Eden jerked her head up, looking straight at Asmun.

His expression was cold, furious—his grip on his sword tightening as if he would not fail this time.

Eden’s face went deathly pale.

“No, stop!”

Ignoring the pain in her body, she threw herself in front of her horse.

“Move aside. That beast almost got you killed.”

Asmun’s voice was completely devoid of emotion.

Since this was an imperial hunting expedition, discipline regarding warhorses was handled by military law. If a horse endangered its rider, it was deemed unfit for duty.

Even Karon hesitated to intervene.

“It was my fault for mishandling the reins! But I survived, didn’t I?”

Eden yelled desperately, shielding the trembling horse with her arms.

Asmun’s expression darkened further, his eyes freezing over completely.

A chill ran down Eden’s spine.

From his bloodstained hair to his pristine yet deadly face—his flawless clothes were now smeared with fresh monster blood.

Even his blade, still dripping, was stained deep red.

“…….”

His cold, crimson eyes and blood-drenched form made him look like the very embodiment of death.

For a moment, Eden felt as if she was staring at the tyrant he would one day become.

A merciless, absolute ruler.

Right now, she was truly standing before an enraged sovereign—one who had already decided to execute this horse.