-1817- [ Medicuboid ]

After logging off from ALO, Asuna immediately tidied herself up and changed into her casual clothes for going out.

Shouzou and Kouichirou had already gone abroad for work, so only Asuna and Kyoko remained at the Yuuki household. However, Kyoko had gone to the university research institute, leaving only Asuna at home. After a quick exchange with the servants, Asuna stepped out of the house.

"Good thing Mom isn't here..."

Asuna muttered to herself as she made her way onto the street.

If Kyoko were here, Asuna thought, she wouldn't have been able to leave so smoothly.

And then, Asuna waited anxiously on the street. After what felt like a long time, a car finally arrived.

"Huh?"

When Asuna saw the people inside the car through the window, she couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Because inside the car, besides Rozen sitting in the back, the driver was someone Asuna recognized.

"Long time no see, Miss Yuuki."

The young man with glasses greeted Asuna with a smile.

"Ki... Kikuoka-san?"

Asuna couldn't believe her eyes.

The driver was none other than Kikuoka Seijirou.

"Why is Kikuoka-san here?"

Asuna was still a bit confused.

"Well..." Kikuoka Seijirou said helplessly, "I was dragged here by your husband to act as a driver and laborer."

It was clear that Kikuoka Seijirou had been called by Rozen.

But there was no helping it.

"We're going to a special place next, and without special permission, we wouldn't be allowed to enter. With this guy here, we can save a lot of trouble."

Rozen spoke without any guilt, as if it was only natural.

"By the way, since he owes me a favor from the last GGO incident, I might as well drag him a bit. Wouldn't it be a waste otherwise?"

Rozen said this with a clear conscience.

Kikuoka Seijirou could only sigh and didn't offer any objections.

"That's the situation, so Miss Yuuki, please get in the car. Just treat me like your driver and bodyguard," Kikuoka Seijirou said.

Asuna suppressed her unease and got into the car, sitting beside Rozen.

Kikuoka Seijirou immediately drove off in a certain direction.

During this time, Asuna turned to Rozen and asked,

"Where are we going?"

Rozen answered directly.

"Yokohama Port North General Hospital."

Asuna's expression stiffened.

"Hospital...?"

Her unease grew even more.

Originally, upon seeing Kikuoka Seijirou, an agent from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asuna had already sensed that something wasn't right. Now, learning that their destination was a hospital, she couldn't help but feel even more uneasy.

But...

"It's the only hospital in Japan using the Medicuboid for clinical experiments," Rozen added.

Asuna was stunned.

"Medi... cuboid...?"

She was frozen in place.

Seeing this, Rozen didn't elaborate but instead took out his phone and showed it to Asuna.

On the phone screen was an image.

It was of a machine.

The machine appeared to be a white cube, shaped like a helmet or shield, with screens covering the front, each with different colored labels and a simple symbol displayed on the screen—Medicuboid.

Asuna vaguely understood what the machine was.

Because, it was something she used every day. She couldn't possibly not recognize it.

It was...

"A full dive machine..." Asuna muttered under her breath.

However, at that moment, a soft and youthful voice echoed from the phone, completing Asuna's sentence.

"Technically, it should be called a medical full dive machine, Mama."

The voice of Yui, Asuna's daughter, came from the phone.

"A medical full dive machine...?"

Asuna was taken aback.

Yui's explanation quickly followed.

"You should know this well since you've been using it for a while. Both the original NerveGear and the next-generation AmuSphere are designed to directly connect to the human brain, transmitting various signals to the brain's regions, allowing people to enter a full dive state and travel through virtual worlds. That's the technology, right?"

Yuuki explained slowly.

"Full dive is a revolutionary technology. It has changed a lot of things, even impacting markets and social civilizations. Its uses are not just for entertainment in VRMMOs, it has impacted many other fields as well."

For example...

"In the military, some countries have started using simulated worlds for training to reduce the cost of live exercises. Soldiers can practice skills like operating military vehicles, from fighter jets to tanks, warships, and submarines, all in a simulated environment. This is convenient and effective."

"In business, the simulation of financial markets and virtual trade has gradually spread among the upper echelons of society. It allows cooperation, negotiations, and work to be conducted in simulated worlds, eliminating the need for in-person meetings. Enterprises can now interact through full dive machines, meeting in seconds with absolute security and no risk of eavesdropping. This has become the main method for corporate dealings and collaboration."

It was because of these advancements that the government promoted the development of full dive technology, aiming to shift public opinion and collaborate with Rozen, unwilling to see the technology banned due to public demand.

However...

"These applications came later. When full dive technology first emerged, it was initially proposed for use in the medical field."

Yui continued.

"Full dive technology can bring tremendous benefits to medical practices."

"For congenital brain disorders, it might not help much, but for neural impairments, it's a blessing for those affected."

"Those with visual impairments can use the machine to directly transmit images to the brain."

"Those with hearing impairments can use the machine to send sounds directly to the brain."

"With this machine, even those who have never known what light or sound is can experience real sights and sounds."

"Plus, since the full dive machine can transmit not only neural signals but also eliminate physical sensations, it acts like an anesthetic, reducing the risks associated with traditional anesthesia. That's why when the NerveGear was first developed, it was planned to be used in the medical field."

"And thus, the Medicuboid was born—."