The Multiverse Coin Collector

Chapter 2: Awakening in the Unknown

Sam's senses slowly returned, his body aching and disoriented. He groaned, the damp soil clinging to his hands as he pushed himself upright. His fingers dug into the dirt, the rich earthy scent grounding him as he opened his eyes.

Above him, a canopy of towering trees stretched endlessly. Their branches intertwined, allowing faint beams of sunlight to dapple the forest floor. Leaves rustled softly in the breeze, creating a soundscape of calm—a stark contrast to the chaos he'd left behind in the white room.

He exhaled sharply, his soldier's instincts kicking in. Assess the environment. Check for threats.

The air was still, save for the occasional chirping of birds. He rotated his neck, loosening stiff muscles, and quickly scanned his surroundings. It was just him, a dense forest, and an odd sense of isolation.

"No threats. No immediate danger," he muttered. The phrase was almost a reflex, a mantra drilled into him during years of training.

As he looked down at his hands, his gaze fell on a strange, sleek device strapped to his wrist. The blackish-gray surface glinted faintly in the filtered sunlight, its design minimalistic yet futuristic.

"What the hell is this?" he murmured, his fingers brushing over the watch. The memories of the white room and the strange panda, Poko, flooded back. The realization hit him like a freight train.

"I'm dead," he whispered, the words tasting foreign. "And this is... the game?"

His heart pounded as he tapped the device's surface, unsure what to expect. A soft beep responded, and a holographic interface sprang to life, the bright blue glow startling him. The interface displayed a few symbols and icons, none of which he recognized.

Before he could process anything further, a new image flickered to life above the watch—a tiny, cartoonish white cat with oversized eyes. It yawned, stretching its digital limbs before addressing him.

"About time you woke up, rookie," the cat said in a sharp, commanding voice.

Sam blinked. "Uh... what?"

"Don't make me repeat myself," the cat snapped, placing its tiny paws on its hips. "I'm Kit. Your guide. Think of me as your mission control... or babysitter, depending on how competent you turn out to be."

Sam stared at the hologram, caught between disbelief and amusement. "A talking cat hologram. Great. Just what I needed."

Kit's eyes narrowed. "Watch the sarcasm, rookie. I'm here to help, but I don't suffer fools gladly. Now pay attention."

"Alright, alright," Sam said, raising his hands defensively. "I assume you're here to explain this thing?" He gestured to the watch.

Kit nodded, her tone professional despite her diminutive size. "This device is your lifeline. It's your radar for tracking coins, your point tracker, your shop for upgrades, and even your defense system if you get into trouble. Basically, it's the only thing standing between you and elimination in this game."

"Elimination?" Sam repeated, his brow furrowing.

"Let's just say failure isn't an option," Kit said ominously. "But we'll get to that later. First, let's find you a coin."

Before Sam could ask more questions, the watch emitted a soft ping. A small holographic map appeared, displaying a blinking dot not far from his location.

"There's your first coin," Kit said, pointing to the map. "It's close. Let's get moving."

Sam hesitated for a moment, then nodded. If this was the game, he might as well start playing. He adjusted his watch and began walking in the direction indicated by the map.

The forest was eerily quiet as he moved, his boots crunching softly against fallen leaves. His soldier's instincts kept him on edge, scanning the trees for any signs of movement. It didn't take long before he reached a massive oak tree, its roots sprawling like veins across the forest floor.

"There," Kit said, her voice excited.

At the base of the tree, partially embedded in the soil, was a small bronze coin. Sam knelt, brushing away the dirt to reveal its intricate design. The coin was surprisingly heavy for its size, and as he turned it over, he noticed a faint image shimmering on its surface.

The image was of a character he vaguely recognized—a martial artist dressed in a red gi, his black hair spiked upward. The name clicked almost immediately.

"Ryu," he muttered, recalling the legendary fighter from Street Fighter.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Kit said impatiently. "Use it."

"How?"

"Put the coin over the watch," Kit instructed, her tone exasperated. "Honestly, do I have to explain everything?"

Sam rolled his eyes but complied. The moment the coin touched the watch, a soft hum resonated. The coin dissolved into shimmering light, which the watch absorbed.

"Processing... Done!" Kit announced as a new holographic screen appeared, displaying Sam's ID:

Sam Lancaster

Points: 1

Beneath the ID, an image of Ryu appeared, his determined expression staring back at Sam.

"Alright," Sam said, studying the screen. "Now what?"

Kit's tail flicked impatiently. "Now you can transform into the character. Select Ryu, say 'Morph,' and the watch will do the rest. It's like cosplay on steroids."

Sam nodded, filing the information away. He wasn't ready to try it just yet. The implications of transforming into a fictional character were too vast to grasp immediately.

Instead, he stood and scanned the area again. His instincts told him to find a vantage point or signs of civilization. After several minutes of wandering, he stumbled upon a dirt road cutting through the forest.

"Progress," he muttered, following the road. The worn path eventually led him to a weathered wooden signpost.

When he read the words etched into the wood, a chill ran down his spine:

Gotham City – 20 km

Sam stared at the sign, the weight of realization settling in his chest. "So this is DC..."

Kit smirked from her perch on his wrist. "Welcome to the multiverse, rookie. Better buckle up. Things are about to get interesting."