"Never Numbed by Habit"

Nightfall, like a heavy velvet cloth, shrouded this war-ravaged city.

Completely unlike the dazzling lights of the city that never slept on Main Universe Earth, the nights here were "ruled" by oppressive dead silence and scattered flashes of warning red.

A strict curfew was in effect.

Through their invisible holographic glasses, Leon and the others could clearly see uniformed "soldiers," along with another group of "traitor" Violence units whose weapons were slightly inferior but whose behavior was equally brutal, driving away the few pedestrians left on the streets.

They shoved unsteady civilians with rifle stocks, their shouts echoing through the empty streets as they forced everyone back into homes that resembled cages.

"Attention, all units. Going out is prohibited during curfew!

"Repeat, going out is prohibited during curfew! Violators will be treated as resistance members!"

The cold warning, with its distinctly synthetic mechanical tone, played over and over through broadcasts set up at street corners and atop high-rises, like a funeral dirge for this city of death.

"Looks like the 'masters' here really don't like nighttime social activities." Mike lowered his voice, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"A curfew helps them maintain control and makes it easier to do whatever they don't want civilians to see." Leon analyzed calmly. "We need to be even more careful."

Watching the distant blocks gradually empty out until only the heavy footsteps of patrols and the growl of armored vehicle engines remained, Leon made his decision.

"Mike, take control of the remaining 'bugs' and conduct one last high-intensity scan of the nearby blocks. Focus on marking patrol shift points, fixed sentry posts, and surveillance blind spots. They have thirty minutes of power left, so make full use of them."

"Understood."

Mike immediately got to work. Several miniature drones disguised as insects silently rose into