Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant novel Chapter 19

Upon entering the Pocket Dimension House, Suho struggled with the overwhelming status effects.

*Dragon Fear.*

It was leagues beyond ordinary Fear, and its effects were severe. Clenching his jaw, Suho pulled out a Purification Potion he’d bought at Dongdaemun and drank it.

**[You have consumed the Purification Potion.]**

**[Purification effect activated.]**

**[Fear status removed.]**

**[Auditory hallucinations removed.]**

Once he consumed the Purification Potion, the debilitating effects lifted, and Suho finally lay down, breathing a sigh of relief.

*“I thought I was a goner...”*

Dragon Fear was one reason Jang Pyung-ho had never defeated the Tower Dragon. He had only seen it once and had been forced to flee. But thanks to Jang Pyung-ho’s experiences, Suho knew about the Dragon’s capabilities and came prepared with the potion.

His Cure skill wasn’t enough to remove the high-grade debuff of Dragon Fear. Only A-level or higher Cure skills could be effective against it.

*“This cost a fortune, but the scholarship was worth it.”*

Without it, he would never have been able to afford something as expensive as a Purification Potion.

*“And it’s not like one exposure to Dragon Fear makes you immune. Guess I’ll just have to keep dodging it...”*

While most Fear effects could be overcome once experienced, Dragon Fear was different. As one of the most powerful Fears, resistance could only be built with special defensive items or skills. For now, this meant that every time the dragon used Fear, Suho would need to retreat to the Pocket Dimension House and down another Purification Potion.

*“No wonder Jang Pyung-ho couldn’t take it down with these tactics.”*

Jang Pyung-ho had tried to poison the dragon, hoping it would weaken over time while he waited safely in the Pocket Dimension House. But the Tower Dragon was unaffected, and combined with its Dragon Fear and Earth Claw, it was nearly impossible to approach.

*“But this time, I’m going to defeat the Tower Dragon and clear the Tower of Trials on my own.”*

Suho, now recovered, checked his status screen once again.

**[Ahn Suho]**

- Lv: 39

- Class: Healer

- Strength: 95

- Health: 95

- Mana: 96

- Senses: 39

- Bonus Stats: 0

With his Mana at 96, he was close to his goal but still a bit short. Suho pulled out a skill book and several items he’d bought from Dongdaemun, starting with the skill book.

**[You have learned the Basic Combination Formula.]**

Skill books were one of the most common ways for players to learn new skills. While skill books usually took the form of a book, rare skills could appear in various objects. This Basic Combination Formula was a low-level skill but would serve Suho’s needs.

Using the Combination skill, he conjured the unique cauldron interface and placed the items he’d collected.

**[You placed Nameless Thief’s Sock in the cauldron.]**

**[You placed Nameless Musician’s Instrument in the cauldron.]**

**[You placed Nameless Cleaner’s Broom in the cauldron.]**

These items, seemingly useless, were actually items left behind in Gates, collected as loot or rewards. They were classified as “junk items” because most people didn’t know their true value.

Suho began the combination process.

**[Combining...]**

**[Wait! The cauldron’s state seems unusual?!]**

Suddenly, a brilliant light poured from the cauldron.

**[Congratulations! A rare treasure has emerged from the Basic Combination Formula!]**

**[You have obtained the First Nameless Ring (S+).]**

**[For this incredible achievement, the system grants you 10 bonus stat points.]**

*“As expected.”*

Suho grinned as he examined the item.

**[First Nameless Ring]**

- Rank: S+

- *Silent Presence, Invisible Footsteps, Vanished Traces.*