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

In the face of the impending crisis, the Skeletal Lizard did not immediately succumb to a state of utter panic.

Being a creature well-versed in the art of cunning and deception, the Skeletal Lizard naturally endeavored to extricate itself from the predicament by employing its well-honed skills in subterfuge and stratagem.

"You have all been deceived! Did you truly think I was the only one disguised as your companion? In truth, there is another among you who is also one of my kind!"

After delivering this revelation, the Skeletal Lizard fixed its gaze directly upon Johann.

Simultaneously, Charles, Medusa, and Little Green also turned their eyes toward Johann.

At that moment, Johann's expression was one of utter shock.

He uttered not a single word, for the Skeletal Lizard had rendered him mute.

While Charles and the others focused their attention on Johann, the Skeletal Lizard seized the opportunity to transform once more, this time assuming the guise of a commonly seen desert creature.

With its new disguise, the Skeletal Lizard bolted at top speed toward the area where the other creatures were congregating.

The Skeletal Lizard's plan was remarkably straightforward.

He hoped to exploit the chaos of the battlefield to find an opportunity to elude Charles and the others.

Although Charles and his companions possessed formidable strength, capable of annihilating all surrounding creatures.

However, achieving such a feat would inevitably require some time.

Once the Skeletal Lizard concealed itself among the throng of creatures, it could seize the chance to slip back into the desert while Charles and the others were distracted.

Confronted with the Skeletal Lizard's maneuver, Charles was naturally incensed.

Charles promptly hurled the Scorpion Tail of Venom to Johann.

"What you need to do now is muster all your strength to fight. We won't be able to ensure your safety from this point on!"

After uttering these words, Charles transformed into a dazzling streak of light and plunged into the heart of the monster swarm.

Charles's sudden appearance left all the creatures astounded.

A multitude of creatures redirected their attacks toward Charles.

Yet Charles paid no heed to their assaults. He swiftly scanned the movements of the surrounding creatures, intent on identifying any that did not attack him.

Soon, Charles identified a creature within the horde whose movements differed significantly from the others.

"So quickly found! It appears your disguise is far from flawless!"

Charles immediately launched an attack on the creature masquerading as the Skeletal Lizard.

The Skeletal Lizard was utterly unprepared for Charles's rapid response.

Although the Skeletal Lizard had the ability to disguise itself as various entities, it required a certain amount of time to transition between forms

The Skeletal Lizard needed to revert to its true form before it could morph into another creature.

When targeted by an enemy, the Skeletal Lizard naturally found itself unable to freely change shapes.

"Why must you persist in pursuing me? I'm only capable of petty schemes. The real threat to you lies with these surrounding creatures."

As it fled, the Skeletal Lizard incessantly tried to disrupt Charles's focus with its words.

However, Charles was certainly not going to believe a single word uttered by his opponent.

Charles merely continued his relentless pursuit of the Skeletal Lizard in silence.

Although Charles disregarded the attacks from the surrounding creatures during his chase, these creatures posed little threat to him.

Only the two seventh-rank Desert Giant Scorpions warranted Charles's attention, but these scorpions were already being held at bay by Medusa and Little Green.

Facing Charles's unyielding assault, the Skeletal Lizard, in a desperate bid, disguised itself as Medusa.

"Don't kill me! I can still be of great use to you! At the very least, I can help you disguise yourself as others. I will fully support your next actions."

Confronted with these words from the Skeletal Lizard, Charles suddenly halted.

Charles gazed coldly at the Skeletal Lizard, as if weighing the credibility of its promises

Seeing this, the Skeletal Lizard was overjoyed.

It felt that its persuasion had succeeded.

Determined to seize the opportunity, it resolved to further convince Charles.

"Consider this carefully: killing me now won't significantly enhance your power. Moreover, eliminating me won't yield any exceptional equipment for you."

"However, if you spare me, I can be of tremendous assistance in your future endeavors. I can disguise myself as others and infiltrate your enemies, allowing you to gather critical intelligence."

The Skeletal Lizard's words appeared to have persuaded Charles.

Charles slowly nodded in agreement.

"What you say indeed makes a lot of sense. But how can I trust you? What if you are lying and trying to deceive me on purpose?"

The Skeletal Lizard, hearing Charles's words, appeared even more delighted.

Since Charles was willing to engage in conversation, it implied that he was quite likely to consider cooperation.

"You can have your two companions watch over me constantly. Their strength is formidable, and as long as they keep an eye on me, I won't be able to do anything malicious."

These words from the Skeletal Lizard seemed to have completely persuaded Charles.

Charles nodded thoughtfully. "It seems you might be right, perhaps I should collaborate with you."

The Skeletal Lizard was elated upon hearing this.

He walked directly to Charles's side, smiling as he said, "I knew you were a smart man, you would surely make the most advantageous choice for yourself."

Just as the Skeletal Lizard finished speaking, Charles swung his weapon.

The smile froze on the Skeletal Lizard's face, and until the very moment of its death, it never imagined that Charles would actually kill it.

After the Skeletal Lizard was slain, it quickly reverted to its original form.

Looking at the shattered corpse of the Skeletal Lizard, a faint smile appeared on Charles's face.

"Did you really think I would believe the words of a creature proficient in deceit and trickery? Talking to you earlier was merely a ploy to test if you had any other abilities."

"It seems that aside from disguising yourself as others, you possess no additional skills. Therefore, you hold no further value to me."

After killing the Skeletal Lizard, Charles indeed did not experience a significant power boost.

After all, the Skeletal Lizard itself was not a creature adept at combat.

However, the Skeletal Lizard's body gradually transformed into an item in front of Charles.

[Name: The Phantom Veil]

[Quality: Silver]

[Item Type: Non-Combat Equipment]

[Item Skill: Illusory Mimicry]

[Item Description: This equipment is formed from the body of the Skeletal Lizard. By wearing The Phantom Veil on the face, one can transform into another person for a short duration. The only drawback of this item is that its effect lasts only a few minutes. After a few minutes, the effect of The Phantom Veil will dissipate.

Additionally, each person can only use The Phantom Veil twice within a single day.]

Upon seeing The Phantom Veil, all of Charles's previous anger dissipated.

While The Phantom Veil's disguise capability was considerably inferior to The Pale Mask, it also came with far fewer adverse effects.

Although The Pale Mask's disguise was exceptional, wearing it for too long could result in one's personality being overwritten.

The Phantom Veil, however, did not pose such a threat.

As long as the person Charles was confronting wasn't exceptionally powerful, they would find it challenging to detect the disguise of The Phantom Veil.

Although the effect of The Phantom Veil was short-lived, lasting only a few minutes.

It was still enough time for Charles to achieve some unexpected outcomes.

Charles placed The Phantom Veil into his backpack and then returned to the battlefield.

With the coordinated efforts of Charles, Medusa, and Little Green, the trio swiftly eliminated the majority of the weaker monsters.

The two seventh-tier Desert Giant Scorpions ultimately chose to flee. Facing the retreating Desert Giant Scorpions, Charles and his companions had no intention of giving chase.

Pursuing them would undoubtedly waste a significant amount of time, and their stamina was already running low.

After finishing the battle, the trio quickly swept the battlefield clean.

All the acquired equipment was stowed in their backpacks. Although most of the items weren't particularly valuable, they could still be used to trade for other supplies.

Charles walked straight up to Johann.

"Where exactly is Eck now? He hasn't encountered any danger, has he?"

Johann shook his head, "The defensive array you left at the temporary camp worked. I was captured by the Skeletal Lizard because I stepped out of the protective barrier.

Eck stayed within the defensive array the whole time, so he wasn't in any danger."

Charles nodded, this was the Eck he knew.

"In that case, let's hurry back to the temporary camp. We should find a new location to set up camp. Although the monsters have been driven away, others might come."

With that, Charles and his group swiftly returned to the temporary camp.

There, they indeed found Eck, who was overjoyed to see them.

"I thought something had happened to you all."

With a smile on his face, Charles said, "We wouldn't be so easily deceived by a Skeletal Lizard."