I, the Supreme Overlord, Start by Enslaving the Zerg Queen

While Charles and his group were embroiled in combat with the Desert Giant Scorpion, Eck and Johann, who had stayed behind, anxiously surveyed their surroundings.

The moment Charles and the others departed, Eck and Johann felt an intense sense of danger permeating the area.

Although the emergence of the Desert Giant Scorpion had driven away some of the weaker creatures in the vicinity.

However, after the Desert Giant Scorpion engaged in battle with Charles and the others, those creatures returned to the vicinity of the boulders. These creatures seemed extremely interested in Eck and Johann.

"Do you feel it too? It seems like there's something else around us." Johann asked Eck, his voice tinged with a slight tremor.

Eck quickly shook his head and replied, "Don't scare yourself. There are no monsters around us. Our comrades are currently fighting that giant scorpion. They will secure victory soon."

"As soon as they win the battle, we won't face any danger. All we need to do now is to stay here." Eck reassured.

There was no flaw in Eck's reasoning.

Even though Charles, Medusa, and Little Green had gone to battle the Desert Giant Scorpion.

The area they had originally occupied was still protected by a defensive array. As long as Eck and Johann remained within the defensive array, they wouldn't encounter much danger.

Although Johann also felt that Eck's reasoning was sound, he couldn't shake the feeling that waiting indefinitely wasn't a viable solution.

"Should we perhaps scout the surrounding area? What if we can offer them some assistance?" Johann suggested impulsively to Eck.

Eck quickly shook his head in firm disagreement.

"We absolutely cannot do that. Our strength is insufficient to provide any meaningful support in the battle. If we rashly join in, we'll only hinder them."

After Eck's fervent persuasion, Johann reluctantly abandoned his plan.

Eck and Johann waited in silence under the boulder, anxiously anticipating the return of their comrades.

A few minutes later, a shadowy figure slowly approached them in the darkness.

Seeing this, Eck and Johann's anxiety reached its peak. They retreated to the very center of the defensive array, practically huddling together.

After a while, the shadow in the darkness gradually began to reveal itself.

It turned out to be Charles who had returned.

Both Eck and Johann were absolutely delighted after catching sight of Charles.

Eck immediately asked Charles, "Richard, have you defeated that giant scorpion? Are we safe now?"

Charles nodded and replied, "Yes, we have defeated the giant scorpion. However, after the battle, we acquired a significant amount of loot. There's so much loot that we can't carry it all back."

"So, I've decided that we should relocate our camp to that area. You two should pack up your belongings and come with me to the new campsite."

Eck and Johann were thrilled upon hearing Charles's words.

They promptly began packing their belongings. However, during the process, Eck suddenly sensed that something was amiss.

Charles remained standing outside the defensive array, quietly watching them.

"Richard, why don't you come inside and help us pack? With your assistance, we could finish much faster." Eck inquired with a smile.

Charles shook his head, "I was injured in the recent battle, so I'm unable to lend a hand. Just hurry up and pack your things, once you're done, we can head out."

After saying this, Charles turned his gaze towards Johann.

At this moment, Johann had already finished packing all his belongings. He was even preparing to step out of the defensive array with his luggage.

Eck promptly grabbed Johann's arm.

"We don't need to rush. Let's wait until Richard tells us everything before we set off." Although neither Eck nor Johann was particularly strong.

Eck had one advantage—he was very cautious.

Eck didn't trust that the person outside the defensive array was the real Richard. He had a nagging feeling that the individual outside was somehow an imposter.

The expression on Charles's face outside the defensive array turned visibly impatient.

"Stop wasting time! If you want to stay here, then so be it. I'm going back alone!" Charles declared, his voice tinged with frustration.

After uttering these words, Charles disappeared into the darkness.

Charles's departure caused Johann to become quite anxious. He exclaimed loudly to Eck, "Aren't you being a bit too cautious? If anyone could show up here, wouldn't it be the real Richard?"

"We have to stick together, going our separate ways would be incredibly dangerous. If you don't intend to follow him, then I'll go alone."

With that, Johann grabbed his belongings and stepped out of the defensive array.

The moment Johann exited the defensive array, he froze in his tracks.

For standing a short distance away wasn't his companion, but a creature that bore a striking resemblance to a human.

He had encountered this creature before in the depths of Rock Fortress, where it had once disguised itself as a blind old man— the skeletal lizard.

At this moment, Johann found himself ensnared by the skeletal lizard's spell.

The skeletal lizard approached Johann, displaying an eerily sinister expression. "You actually fell for it. It seems my plan is bound to succeed."

Upon saying this, the skeletal lizard shifted its gaze towards Eck, who was still within the defensive array.

"Don't think that staying inside the defensive array ensures your safety. Your companions can no longer offer you any assistance, as their enemies are not limited to just The Desert Giant Scorpion."

Facing the skeletal lizard, Eck was naturally filled with fear.

However, Eck also noticed that the skeletal lizard seemed incapable of entering the defensive array.

Summoning his courage, Eck retorted to the skeletal lizard, "You can't possibly defeat them. Their strength far surpasses yours."

"If you could have defeated them in the depths of Rock Fortress, you wouldn't have needed to flee. Your current words are nothing but bluster. I won't easily fall for your tricks."

Eck's words made the skeletal lizard burst into laughter.

"You are correct, I am indeed no match for your three companions. But do you really think I would engage them in a direct confrontation? I am a lizard who triumphs with cunning and strategy."

"My greatest skill lies in deceiving the enemy, in using intrigue to trap them in desperate situations. Your three companions don't seem particularly intelligent."

"They were deceived by me in the depths of Rock Fortress. Why do you think they wouldn't be fooled by me in the Desert of Sands?"

The skeletal lizard's eloquence was indeed remarkable.

The words it had spoken directly shook Eck's confidence.

Eck suddenly found himself engulfed in a state of immense panic. However, he quickly steadied his mindset, realizing that his resolve couldn't be so easily shattered by a few words from the opponent.

"I have immense faith in my companions." Eck declared firmly. "I believe they will undoubtedly triumph in the battle. No matter what schemes or tricks you employ, you won't succeed."

Eck's resolute words made the skeletal lizard appear somewhat agitated.

The skeletal lizard believed that its plan was flawless, so why couldn't it make Eck believe in its inevitable success?

The skeletal lizard thought that Eck simply hadn't grasped the entirety of its plan yet.

"You needn't hold onto any hope, for my plan is infallible. Did you truly think The Desert Giant Scorpion was my sole ace? You are gravely mistaken!"

"This time, not only did I lure The Desert Giant Scorpion, but I also summoned numerous other creatures from the Desert of Sands. Even if your companions manage to defeat The Desert Giant Scorpion, you will undoubtedly be slain by the other monsters."

"You shouldn't harbor any illusions, my plan is flawless and will not encounter any errors.

The skeletal lizard's scheme was indeed meticulously crafted.

Under normal circumstances, its plan would have already succeeded. However, it somewhat underestimated Charles and the others.

But at least in Eck's eyes, the skeletal lizard's plan appeared impeccable.

Eck's confidence wavered once more.

Nevertheless, Eck would not easily step out of the defensive array, no matter what.

"So what if your plan succeeds? Even if you manage to annihilate all my companions, their defensive array will still hold. In the short term, you won't be able to eliminate me."

After regaining his composure, Eck proclaimed loudly.

The skeletal lizard nodded with a smile. "You're right, your defensive array is indeed effective. But can you stay within it forever? I don't need to eat, so I can wait outside the array indefinitely."

"Once you've exhausted all your food supplies, you'll have no choice but to emerge from the defensive array. And then, I can eliminate you."

"Moreover, I must forewarn you, the way I will kill you will be far more brutal than how I will kill your companions. You, of all people, are the one I despise the most. How dare you question my plan!"