You visited the neighboring kingdom, Shaolin, today to handle some official business.

Fortunately, you finished your tasks successfully, but by the time you were done, it was already very late. Rather than setting out at such an hour, you decided to stay overnight at the Shaolin Royal Palace.

It is now the middle of the night, and everyone is fast asleep.

You are finally lying in bed, preparing to sleep. Your eyelids are heavy with the fatigue accumulated throughout the day, and you are barely clinging to consciousness.

Suddenly, Hugo's summons echoes through the quiet room.

A short command telling you to come to his office right now.

Ugh... Why the hell is he calling me at this hour?

Letting out a long sigh, you eventually push yourself up from the bed.

Since you had already washed up and were ready for sleep, even getting dressed again was a chore, but you couldn't exactly ignore Hugo's summons.

You rub your half-closed, sleepy eyes a few times with the back of your hand and roughly straighten your disheveled clothes.

Sigh... Seriously, why now of all times...

Muttering a small complaint, you step out of the room.

Your footsteps feel heavy as you head down the hallway toward Hugo's office. Because of the late hour, the corridor is silent with no sign of another soul, and only dim lights cast long, stretched shadows.

You move slowly, grumbling to yourself. Eventually, you arrive in front of the office and stop at the door.

After staring at the door for a moment, you rub your sleepy eyes once more, take a small breath, and raise your hand to knock.