Awakening

USA, Los Angeles, 1994

The golden rays of the Los Angeles sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting warm patterns across the plush living room of the Hunter family's home. For once, the house, usually bustling with high-profile security and the quiet hum of professional discussions, was filled with the sounds of genuine family joy.

It was a rare weekend when Elizabeth and James Hunter, both entrenched in their demanding roles at the CIA and Department of Defense, had managed to take a break from their high-stakes careers. They had come to Los Angeles with a singular focus: to enjoy a few days with their son, Alex.

At ten years old, Alex Hunter was practically vibrating with excitement. His parents' infrequent visits were the highlight of his year, and this time, the family was together in one place, promising adventures and fun. The day's main attraction was a trip to the Disneyland, where Alex had been promised thrilling rides and games. The anticipation was almost too much for him to contain.

"Alex, slow down!" Rick's deep, resonant voice called out with a mixture of amusement and concern as Alex zipped past him in the hallway. Rick Hunter, a high ranking officer in LAPD, had a protective and jovial demeanour. His eyes followed Alex with both affection and a touch of exasperation, as he tried to keep pace with the energetic child.

James Hunter, Alex's father, looked up from a discussion with Rick. His face, usually a mask of serious intent, softened slightly but retained its tough edge. James was a man accustomed to dealing with high-stakes situations and had a demeanour to match. His gaze was firm, but there was a flicker of warmth when he looked at his son.

Elizabeth Hunter, Alex's mother, was engaged in a discussion with Dee Dee, her sister-in-law, who had recently arrived from Sacramento. Elizabeth's demeanour was as cool and detached as ever, her focus on the minutiae of her work rather than the joy of the occasion. She was also high-ranking officer in the CIA, known for her sharp mind and unyielding professionalism. Her interactions, though affectionate, always carried an air of distance.

Dee Dee Hunter, on the other hand, was the polar opposite of Elizabeth in terms of warmth and affection. As a high ranking officer in Sacramento PD, Dee Dee was used to dealing with complex investigations, but her interactions with Alex were always tender and caring. Her visits from Sacramento were a highlight for Alex, who felt a deep sense of security in her presence.

"Alex, be careful!" Dee Dee's voice followed him with a note of concern as he darted around corners, his excitement nearly palpable. She was the one who often took the time to engage with him, to listen and offer a comforting smile. Her caring nature provided a stark contrast to Elizabeth's more reserved attitude.

The house was alive with the bustle of preparation. Alex's parents had promised him a day filled with fun, and he was eager to get started. As he zoomed through the hallway, his energy seemed boundless. He was engrossed in planning their game of hide-and-seek and couldn't wait to show off his new hiding spots.

The sudden crash that followed was deafening. Alex had taken a corner too sharply, his foot catching on a loose tile. The world seemed to stretch and spin as he lost his balance, and before he knew it, he was tumbling down the staircase. The cascade of footsteps, the sudden rush of air, and the loud thud that echoed through the house marked the moment everything went dark.

When Alex opened his eyes again, he was lying in a hospital bed. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled his nostrils, mingling with the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment. He could barely make out the figures standing around him: his parents, Rick, and Dee Dee. Their faces were a blur of concern and relief.

"Alex, thank goodness you're awake," Elizabeth's voice was cool and composed, though there was an underlying edge of worry. Her gaze was steady, her professional detachment masking the deep concern she felt. "You took quite a tumble."

"Mom... Dad?" Alex's voice was weak and barely audible. The familiar presence of his parents and relatives was comforting, but the pain in his head was intense.

James's face was a mixture of relief and sternness. He leaned closer, his touch firm but reassuring as he squeezed Alex's hand. "You've got a concussion, but the doctors say you'll be fine. You just need to rest and take it easy for a while."

Rick's face was warm and filled with concern. He stood by Alex's bed, his eyes reflecting a depth of care and affection. "You really scared us, kiddo. But we're all here for you."

Dee Dee's presence was like a balm to Alex's troubled mind. Her voice was soft and soothing as she leaned in, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. "You're going to be okay, Alex. We're all here."

As Alex tried to focus on their voices, a strange sensation began to wash over him. Memories—clear and vivid—started to flood his mind.

Alex expression showed the full extent of his confusion. The 2 days of his recovery were marked by a strange and disorienting process. Alex's mind, while grappling with the effects of the concussion, was also absorbing vivid recollections of his past life. He remembered living as a normal person in a normal world.

He recognized the faces around him—not just as family, but as characters from a TV series he had once watched. Rick and Dee Dee, his caring uncle and aunt-in-law, were portrayed in the show "Hunter" as the legendary detectives. The realization hit him with a jolt: he was living in a TV world.

James and Elizabeth's professional commitments soon took them back to their respective jobs, leaving Alex in the care of Rick and Dee Dee. Their departure was a necessary step in their busy lives, but it left Alex to navigate his newfound reality with the support of his more affectionate relatives.

As Alex lay in his hospital bed, grappling with his disorienting new reality, a thought occurred to him. In many novels and stories he had read, characters found themselves equipped with systems that provided information and guidance like that in a fanfic. Alex wondered if such a system might appear to help him navigate this strange new world.

To his astonishment, just as he contemplated this, a translucent screen materialized in front of him, floating in the air. The screen displayed a range of attributes and skills, exactly like the systems he had read about.

System Initialization...

Name: Alex Hunter

Age: 10

Attributes:

Intelligence: 150 (IQ)

Strength: 40

Agility: 44

Charisma: 83

Endurance: 52

Skills (Highest lv : 5)

Elementary School Education : Lv 2

English : Lv 3

Special Abilities:

Eidetic Memory : the ability to recall an image from memory with high precision after seeing it only once.

Rapid Learning : learning aspect has been greatly improved.

Alex's eyes widened as he took in the information. The screen provided detailed statistics about his attributes and skills. The enhanced memory retention and rapid learning abilities were particularly intriguing, given his new awareness of the fusion world.

However, as he explored the system further, Alex discovered that it did not provide any quests, directives, or guidance. It merely quantified data about his attributes and skills. There were no objectives or missions to follow—just numbers and levels.

The realization was both a relief and a disappointment. While the system offered useful information about his capabilities, it left him without any clear direction on how to use them in his new world. The lack of quests or guidance meant that Alex would have to rely on his own judgment and resourcefulness to navigate his surroundings.

Then, Alex's thoughts wandered to the TV series Hunter.

Hunter was a detective themed TV show centered around Rick Hunter, a hard-nosed LAPD detective whose tough, no-nonsense approach to law enforcement made him both feared and respected.

Hunter's methods were unorthodox and often skirted the edges of legality. His partner, Dee Dee McCall was a counterbalance to Hunter's aggressive tactics.

The difference he found in the series Hunter and this new world is that his uncle Rick Hunter and aunt Dee Dee are married which didn't happen in the TV show. This means that reality may be different than shown on those shows.

As he lay in his hospital bed, Alex made a silent vow. He would embrace the opportunities this new world offered, using his knowledge and the system's data to navigate the challenges ahead. With each passing day, he would grow more familiar with his surroundings, ready to face the adventures and discoveries that awaited him in this strange reality.