Reborn with Infinity Skill Points, I Enslaved All Universes Chapter 5 -5-Mutant Underground Labyrinth
Previously on Reborn with Infinity Skill Points, I Enslaved All Universes...
Daniel arrived at the mouth of the subterranean maze.
The surrounding students were not the only ones in shock; even the instructors tasked with overseeing the entrance gaped at him with sheer incredulity.
"Your Highness Daniel, are you truly suggesting... that you intend to enter the underground labyrinth?" a teacher inquired, his voice laced with caution.
"That is correct," Daniel answered, nodding composedly. He reached toward the registration desk for a pen, prepared to sign the ledger.
However, the instructor could not stop himself from interjecting once more before the prince could write.
"If you are venturing into the labyrinth... then where is your party?"
"I have no teammates," Daniel replied, giving a dismissive shake of his head.
The idea was absurd to him. Given his current power, why would he require companions? Any so-called top-tier teammate would do nothing but hinder him. At this point, no one possessed the ability to keep pace with him.
The teacher, however, was oblivious to Daniel’s internal monologue. He scowled, beginning to worry that the young prince had suffered a mental breakdown or some emotional trauma, perhaps leading him to make a suicidal choice to enter the depths alone out of sheer hopelessness.
"Your Highness Daniel, I beg you to reconsider. Please, maintain your composure."
"He’s right! No matter what talent you have awakened, it possesses worth. You still have a great deal to offer the human race."
"Life is a gift, Your Highness. Do not throw it away so recklessly!"
At that moment, a girl with a timid expression emerged from the throng of students after a brief hesitation. She bit her lip, her hands shaking slightly as she walked toward him.
"Your Highness Daniel... I have awakened an A-rank Holy Light Technique. If it pleases you, I—I would be honored to join your party," she proposed with courage. "I can support you. I will keep you safe."
Daniel stood still for a second, caught off guard by her genuine kindness. A soft smile appeared on his face as he met her gaze, his eyes reflecting his appreciation.
"I appreciate the offer," he said gently, "but I do not plan on forming a team."
"This is merely a beginner-level underground labyrinth. I am more than capable of handling it by myself."
Having said that, he leaned down and inked his name on the registration sheet, opting for the lowest difficulty tier.
His poised and resolute behavior left both the faculty and the student body utterly speechless.
"Your Highness... please, think about this one more time!"
"Hmph. I bet he’s just too proud to ask for assistance. He is the prestigious Uncrowned Prince, after all. Why would a man of his status deign to party up with people like us?"
Daniel paid no mind to the gossip swirling around him. His logic was straightforward: the beginner-level underground labyrinth was far too simple. Teaming up was pointless. In fact, being in a party would only serve to diminish the experience points he would gain.
He had already exhausted his entire fortune—every last gold coin. This meant hiring mercenaries or purchasing protection was no longer an option. He had nobody to lean on but himself.
Therefore, Daniel had to grab every chance to increase his power. Every skirmish and every point of experience was vital.
The instructor at the gate observed Daniel, noting the unwavering resolve in his eyes. He realized the young prince would not be swayed.
Ultimately, the teacher could only let out a heavy sigh.
Everyone possessed the right to choose their own path, after all. Furthermore, Daniel was an adult. As a simple teacher, he lacked the standing to forbid him from entering.
"Very well... Your Highness Daniel, please exercise extreme caution. Even if you fail to clear the zone, the system will warp you out automatically once the time limit expires. You will be in a weakened state, certainly—but that is preferable to death."
Daniel gave a nod, offered a final word of thanks, and walked into the teleportation gate without looking back.
But the moment he vanished into the glowing portal—
An anomaly occurred.
The teleportation gate began to vibrate violently. Its bronze metallic surface warped and rippled, and within seconds, a brilliant, ominous crimson light flooded the gate like a wave of blood!
The air was filled with sharp intakes of breath.
The students and faculty stood frozen, their faces masks of pure shock.
This was entirely unforeseen.
Was Daniel’s luck truly that abysmal?
He had stumbled into a one-in-ten-thousand occurrence: the rare and lethal mutated underground labyrinth!
Such a streak of bad luck was nearly farcical—almost heartbreakingly tragic.
"Everyone, stay calm!"
"The underground labyrinth is now off-limits. All students must return to their dorms in an organized manner."
"Senior professors from the academy will be here shortly to secure the entrance."
Following the instructor's orders, the students began to leave quickly. Yet, beneath their obedience, many felt a secret sense of relief.
Thank the heavens I didn’t enter sooner. If I had stepped inside today, I’d likely be a corpse.
The Uncrowned Prince... was truly cursed. Born under a dark star, awakening a garbage-tier talent, and now caught in a legendary labyrinth mutation.
There likely wasn't another human being on earth this unlucky.
However, Daniel was completely unaware of the chaos outside.
As he crossed through the gate, a blinding flash obscured his vision. When he could see again, he was standing inside the labyrinth.
A dark, seemingly infinite cavern lay before him. The atmosphere was chilly and moist, and the sound of wind whistling through the stone corridors felt like a warning.
Daniel’s fingers tightened around his staff by instinct.
He had memorized countless textbooks on theory. He had viewed dozens of instructional recordings.
But theoretical knowledge was a world apart from the actual experience.
The tunnel ahead seemed to consume the light, with shadows clinging to the walls like thick oil. A shiver ran down his back.
Suddenly—he sensed it.
A fierce, suffocating wave of killing intent surged toward him.
By sheer reflex, Daniel leaped backward—
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Three bolts buried themselves in the ground where his feet had been moments ago!
What is going on?
Something was definitely wrong.
This didn't match the descriptions he had studied.
Wasn't this supposed to be a beginner's labyrinth?
Why was the difficulty scaling so aggressively already?
With a frown, Daniel peered into the darkness of the tunnel.
That was when he spotted them.
Glowing red eyes, filled with malice and hunger, were watching him from the shadows.
He was boxed in.
[Steam Golem - Type I]
Level: 5
HP: 5000
Skill: Spear Thrust
Description: A race that dwells in caves. Myths suggest they share a dark ancestry with the elves.
What?! 5000 HP?!
Daniel was nearly floored by the sight.
This had to be some kind of prank.
Typically, monsters in a beginner dungeon possessed between 300 and 500 HP.
But this Steam Golem had ten times the expected health?!
Then again...
What does 5000 HP matter?
A freezing smile played on Daniel’s lips.
In the next breath, the tip of his staff erupted with dazzling bolts of lightning.
[God-Rank Thunder Skill – Raging Thunderstorm!]
The very air seemed to shatter with a deafening boom.
Even within the tight confines of the cavern, the spell’s horrific power exploded, crackling and screaming.
"BOOM!!"
A deluge of divine lightning struck down, tearing through the shadows and lighting up the entire corridor.
—10,520!
—10,520!
—21,040!
—10,520!
[You have slain Steam Golem Type I (Level 5)]
[Exp gained: 2000]
[You have slain Steam Golem Type II (Level 5)]
[Exp gained: 2000]
[You have slain Steam Golem Type III (Level 5)]
[Exp gained: 2000]
[Congratulations! Level Up. Current Level: 2]
[Congratulations! Level Up. Current Level: 3]