After listening to their ideas, Dan pondered for a moment before speaking. "I understand what you're proposing: to have patients infected with the Bugster virus receive treatment at Holy City Hospital before the virus fully erupts."
"For that, we will need you, Boss Dan, to manufacture medical equipment capable of identifying the Bugster virus," Li Hua nodded.
Dan lightly acknowledged this. "Something like a doctor's stethoscope, but specifically designed for the Bugster virus?"
"Exactly. Medical equipment to confirm the Bugster virus. It should preferably be as light and portable as a regular stethoscope. Do you think you can make it?" Li Hua looked at Dan with anticipation.
Dan contemplated for a while, then nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem. We can even make it in the shape of a doctor's stethoscope for your convenience."
"However, how do you plan to get these patients to come to the Hospital for an examination after they show symptoms of Game Sickness? Will you announce the information about the Bugster virus directly to the public?"
"Why can't we announce it directly?" Elena asked, puzzled.
"A virus that can make people disappear from the physical world, turning them into nothing, is truly bizarre. If we hadn't seen it with our own eyes, I doubt we would believe such a virus exists in the world," Li Hua said to Elena, his expression slightly grim.
"That's true, it is hard to believe. But if we put the facts in front of them—if we let the public witness the creation of Bugster monsters and the scenes of us fighting them—they'll have no choice but to believe," Elena said, picking up her Driver and Gashat from the table.
Li Hua shook his head at this. "Setting aside the feasibility of doing that, and whether the American government would intervene... even if the public acknowledges the existence of the Bugster virus, it might not be a good thing."
"It could cause social chaos. Remember, the transmission of the Bugster virus has no fixed route; that is to say, there are no clear, effective preventive measures. Moreover, we both know that the outbreak of the Bugster virus is related to a person's mental state. The greater the mental stress, the lower the resistance to the virus, and the higher the probability and severity of an outbreak."
"In a sense, the Bugster virus is even more terrifying than any contagious disease in human history. Think about major historical epidemics like the plague, cholera, and pneumonia. What kind of situation would be created by the Bugster virus, which can spread freely without even requiring air contact or droplets?"
"It would cause everyone to be suspicious and fearful. Panic would envelop all of America and possibly spread worldwide. Most of the public would experience tremendous mental stress, which could easily trigger a massive Bugster virus outbreak. At that point, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Elena's expression changed. As a doctor, she could clearly understand how dangerous the situation Li Hua described was, especially how psychological stress among the public would accelerate the Bugster virus. If a virus had powerful infectiousness but couldn't be prevented by any known effective means, the potential for panic would be terrifying. What's worse, the psychological panic could accelerate the spread and outbreak of the virus.
"Fortunately, the Bugster virus is not as highly contagious as the viruses you mentioned, which can spread rapidly," Elena managed to find a more optimistic point.
Li Hua smiled wryly. "Currently, it's true there's no rapid spread, but what about later? According to Boss Dan, this virus is only just beginning to break out and will grow stronger and stronger. Who knows what kind of abilities this virus will develop in the future?"
"Ordinary viruses can mutate, let alone the Bugster virus, which is an extremely specialized virus that defies common sense and is almost impossible to explain scientifically."
"Boss?" Elena immediately looked at Dan, seemingly hoping to get a denial from him.
Dan adopted a very solemn expression and said, "I merely used the virtual electronic games created by the Genm Group as a container to gather the Bugster virus, thereby preventing it from diffusing randomly."
"However, while this limits the virus's spread, it's like providing a culture medium for the virus in a medical experiment. Although it allows for research and utilization, it also creates a comfortable environment for the Bugster virus to develop and grow."
"Ultimately, it's only an expedient measure and cannot permanently restrict the Bugster virus or settle it down. With the outbreak of the Bugster virus, Game Sickness will inevitably increase at an extremely rapid rate in a short period. No one can predict what kind of abilities the Bugster virus will derive, after all, this virus cannot be explained or analyzed by any science known to mankind so far."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Elena anxiously asked Li Hua.
"Perhaps we can announce that Holy City Hospital has discovered a new type of disease and that patients exhibiting related symptoms should come immediately for testing and treatment. We can make the public believe that this Game Sickness is just a relatively rare and uncommon disease. Patients who are infected will then come to the Hospital for treatment based on their symptoms," Li Hua replied.
"That's a good idea! It keeps the existence of the Bugster virus hidden." Elena's eyes lit up. "What's your opinion, Boss?"
Dan smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. "I have no objection to that. You are the professional doctors; I am only here to provide equipment support."
"However, as time progresses, the Bugster virus is bound to become stronger. I must remind you that by directly contacting Bugster virus infectees at the Hospital, you certainly won't be able to avoid investigation from others. Your battles with the Bugster monsters will become difficult to conceal, and you will inevitably be exposed to the attention of those with vested interests."
"You have personally experienced the power of the Gamer Drivers and Gashats. There will definitely be many forces coveting the power of the Bugster virus. Whether it's state government departments, the military, secret agents from special departments, or even certain special organizations, they will all come looking for the two of you sooner or later."
"Do you have the necessary resolve and determination?" Dan stared intently at the two of them as he spoke. Show me your conviction and resolve!
"Boss, this isn't just about the two of us. Holy City Hospital is entirely funded and built by the Genm Group. If they investigate Holy City Hospital, how can it not involve the Genm Group?"
"Also, the style of the Gashats is far too distinctive; they clearly look related to electronic games. If I were them, I would definitely turn my attention to the Genm Game Group, the game company," Elena said, winking playfully at.
Dan nodded, a mysterious smile curling his lips. "You have a point, but they won't have any substantial evidence. Furthermore, no one investigating the Genm Group will find any clues or evidence to conclude that the Genm Group is connected to the Bugster virus."
"After checking the Genm Group from top to bottom, they will discover that the Genm Group is genuinely just a game manufacturing company."
Because the Genm Group really is just a company that makes games. The Gashats and Gamer Drivers were created by Dan using the Kamen Rider Chronicle system, making it impossible for anyone to find any trace of them.
"So confident? It seems like Boss, you prepared for everything long ago. So, all the pressure is on us to handle? Boss, you're quite irresponsible," Elena pouted at Dan and rolled her eyes.
"Even if they can't investigate the Genm Group openly due to a lack of evidence," Li Hua's expression remained serious, "the tentacles reaching for the Genm Group definitely won't stop. American secret agents won't hesitate just because there's no clear evidence. As long as there's a suspicion, agents from the CIA, FBI, Security agencies, and the military won't care about evidence—or rather, their job is to find the evidence their departments want."
Dan shrugged indifferently, speaking in a relaxed tone. "Then let them come. However, I can guarantee they won't find any useful information. Under this premise, they can't openly do anything either."
"No matter what, the Genm Group is still the world's largest game manufacturer and holds considerable social influence. It's not without politically supported politicians in the American political sphere."
Dan intended to let them investigate freely. As long as he didn't want them to, no one not the CIA, FBI, S.H.I.E.L.D., or anyone could find any trace of clues at the Genm Group. The biggest secret and information these agents could uncover would probably be unreleased game intelligence. Without concrete evidence, these American departments wouldn't dare move against the Genm Group.
After all, in a country like America, any large company typically has politicians they support and cooperate with. Government-business collusion... or cooperation, is the norm. Government officials need substantial financial support for elections, and businesses need officials as partners and protectors. Both sides get what they need and cooperate for mutual benefit.
Furthermore, while the Genm Group, as a game company, may not possess the immense direct influence of an industrial giant like Stark Industries, its hidden indirect influence should not be underestimated. The globally popular Genm games have a considerable subliminal effect on American youth, and those young people are highly valuable votes for politicians. In fact, there are certainly many politicians who have sought out cooperation.
Plus, Dan could intervene through his connections with the Tree Of Life Foundation, so the Genm Group really isn't afraid of the various official American forces.
"Fine. It looks like you were prepared to abandon us long ago, Dan," Elena said, looking at Dan like a jilted lover.
"There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, 'As long as the green mountains remain, one need not worry about firewood,'" Li Hua analyzed with utmost composure. "Boss Dan's approach is actually the most correct choice. As long as there are no problems with Boss Dan and the Genm Group, even if something happens to the two of us, he can still manufacture Gamer Drivers and Gashats to combat the Bugster virus."
[Why are there so many yaps about Chinese proverbs no one wants]
"So Dan is the green mountain, and we are the firewood on it?" Elena asked Li Hua, her expression strange and awkward. "Why firewood? Doesn't that mean we'll eventually be burned away?"
The corner of Li Hua's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly as he tried to explain. "Just think of it as the trees on the mountain."
"But won't the trees be cut down anyway?" Elena blinked her bright, light-golden eyes and asked Li Hua with confusion.
Li Hua was speechless for a moment, unsure how to explain the idiom correctly.
It was Dan who chuckled and shook his head. "It's just a metaphor, like the mainstream and tributaries of a river. Even if the tributary runs into trouble, even if it dries up, as long as the mainstream remains, it can still recover."
"Conversely, if something happens to the mainstream, no matter how well the tributaries develop, they will be water without a source, a tree without roots."
"Now I understand," Elena nodded suddenly, then subtly glanced at Li Hua and gave a gentle side-eye.
"Even though Boss Dan has prepared for this, you still need to be careful. These secret department agents are the type who won't stop until they achieve their goals. If they can't find useful information at Genm, they will likely come after you eventually. Some aggressive organizations might even resort to special means. You'd best hire more security personnel," Li Hua warned Dan, his expression very serious.
"I understand. I will be more careful," Dan replied, feigning a solemn expression.
However, Dan was much clearer than Li Hua about the organizations in the shadows. Groups like Hydra definitely don't play by the rules. This is where Foundation X comes in. If they dare to make any small moves, they will be forcefully suppressed.
He plans to use absolute force to tell them that the Bugster virus is also Foundation X's experimental project and that no one outside the plan is allowed to interfere randomly!