The statue had been utterly ordinary before, without even the slightest halo effect.
But now, the statue was draped in a silver-white glow, like a layer of gauze.
Streams of milky-white light swirled rapidly and chaotically around the statue's clasped hands.
Behind the statue, a pair of luminous dragon wings over three meters long unfurled as well.
What an entrance, drowning in light pollution.
Cypher could only click his tongue in amazement.
He had barely taken in the spectacular sight for long—
When the statue's eyes suddenly lit up with white radiance.
"Outsider, whose veins carry the blood of a Dragon King! You, come closer..."
The voice was old and mechanical, like an automated question-and-answer program.
"Who are you?"
Perhaps it could communicate, but there was no harm in testing it. Cypher stayed where he was and asked in return.
Altar God Statue: "I am the Altar God, responsible for guarding the entrance to the Dragon Kingdom and providing one instance of protection to challengers who come to undergo trials."
Cypher looked somewhat surprised. It was this easy to talk to? Yet judging by what this self-proclaimed gatekeeper statue had gone through before, it hardly looked like it had been carrying out a gatekeeping duty.
Cypher: "Guarding the entrance? Then do you know where my friend Newt is right now?"
Altar God Statue: ...Do you really think I could have known what was happening outside in my previous state? I was merely stating my actual duty!
Cypher: ...Fine, that was a stupid question. Then—
Just as Cypher was about to ask another question, the statue spoke first.
"That is none of my concern. Right now, I am only responsible for you and for providing you with partial guidance!"
Cypher: "What do you mean, partial guidance? And without your guidance, can