Chimera Wandering The Dead Roads - Volume 3: Sword Art Online Chapter 68 Side Story: Fear The Reaper

August 18, 2025 4:24 A.M. undisclosed artificial moving island six hundred miles from Japan’s south west shores

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[ Major Fugimoto of JDF thirty-eighth division ]

This is maj. Fugimoto, writing my daily log in my personal journal. The special defense force is having my company and a few more guard. A top secret project called “Soul Transference” with only about four hundred men and women. However, the man in charge of the project Kikuoka Seijirou called in a lone man. As a just in case precaution he’s stationed in the main lab. Guarding the project and all of the scientists involved in it. This man is apparently ex-second lieutenant Chimera of the US army and an SAO survivor.

But no matter how far I have my men dig into his history. I can’t find anything about why that man alone was called in to defend. All I’m left with is Seijirou’s words and warning about him.

“Don’t drag his family, or animals into a fight with him. You’ll fear the literal reaper coming for your head with zero hesitation. To even jump into a hail of rockets to slaughter all of your people. So do take care major Fugimoto, you’ll need it with how supernatural he gets.”

Those cold yet cheerful words with that fake smile and underlying meaning. Send shivers down my spine as from the reports I’ve gotten. Him and our “Joking Reaper” friend are quite close and friendly. So this really is likely to not end well if that man gets involved in the defense. Of this project so I pray that we won’t need his help at all during this. Closing my personal journal the security sirens come to life.

So with swift movements I get up from my chair and exit my office. Once I exit it though my adjutant sergeant Hiro came running up. In full combat gear with some for me as well so I equip. It while we move just my gear is a little different to others. I use a katan, old German style pistol, and a bullpup shotgun. All were made by this mysterious crafter with the insignia. Of a skull with a flower growing on it Seijirou gave me them a year ago. With a calm smile and quite voice saying “You’ll be safe if you have these so keep them close.”

Once we arrived at the outside platform we’re greeted by a skirmish. Between our soldiers and unmarked forces advancing. How’d they find us and why are they after the project?

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[ Sergeant Lance of the US special forces under general Deckler ]

One of our informats involved in Japan’s more secret projects. So me and eight hundred men are going in to secure. One project in particular called the “Soul Transference” which could be useful. In training soldiers so all of us are going in as unmarked soldiers. To seem like mercenaries for hire and to not involve our country. We’ll be hitting our target point in thirty minutes so I radio in all commanders. While pulling a ballistic balaclava over my head to begin the operation.

Once it began our men stormed the artificial island. Gunning down any opposition in our way of the objective. Although it seems these f.u.c.kers aren’t push overs as they’re holding ground. Against our forces with only so little men on their side damn elites. Especially that two charging through our ranks with a katana and shotgun. Those annoying f.u.c.kers are slaughtering our men left and right.

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[ Both sides perspective ]

Both sides have had some heavy losses from this skirmish.

JDF and guard losses two hundred sixty-nine dead and wounded.

Unmarked Soldiers losses four hundred eighty-six dead and wounded.

Both sides were focused on fighting to the death when they heard. A soft but every changinh whistle throughout the battlefield. The dead and wounded members on the Japanese side. Either revived perfectly fine, or healed up from all wounds and dieseases afflicting them. When two soldiers from both sides screamed pointing their guns. At a man casually walking a top some of the containers with equipment. A reaper style of equipment and a eerily sharp scythe on their person.

All while their whistling seemingly helped the defending side. While those cold burning crimsion eyes lock onto the attackers. Sending a shiver down their spines under those eye’s looking at them. Some where in the distance two men surrounded by soldiers make a noise. Before everyone hears two questions screamed a loud clearly.

“AREN’T YOU THE MAN SEIJIROU SENT?! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!”

“Who are you identify yourself!”

Everyone’s eyes focusing on this mysterious man who’s to calm. In this situation with barely any cares about whats happening.

“Ah I’m ex-second lieutenant Chimera nice to meet you. I’m here cause of well a friend asked me for a favor so I came to guard. But then I heard the sound of some of my handiworks. Being used so I came to take a look and well I found a battle. While insects surround someone who’s using my works.”

Hearing these words said calmly and without any tension. Further increased everyone’s tensions while the attackers all glared at the man. As if he’s some sort of traitor that had turned on them.

“You swine! You dare turn on your main country and work for these people?! We’ll find your family and frie-”

One of various commanders never got to finish their threat. As their up body was vaporized the reaper like figure crouching. Fist sinking into the place their gut was once before the lower half fell. At that sight all forces on both sides heard a demonic voice. As a black flaming ghostly Phoenix shot up from the mans shadow.

“You done f.u.c.k.i.e.d yourselves, all of you attacking forces. Can longer be allowed to leave or communicate your last wills. Now become corpses under my scythe blade!”

These words made the curtains of the show get torn to shreds. As man and death Phoenix moved in tandem with each other. This sight brought fear as all communication with the outside. Suddenly got cut off when the man introduced himself but no one had realized. Until he mentioned communication of last wills to the attacking forces.

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[ Maj. Fugimoto perspective ]

That man Seijirou had invited and warned me about. Had appeared then suddenly made a move after being angered. On top of that he’s revived and healed our side by whistling, a black flaming bird burst from his shadow, he’s cut off outside communication, and is inhuman with that stregnth and movement. The place he once stood at he vanished from to fast before that man got vaporized. Just what kind of man did Seijirou send us?! This is nuts!!

While I was off thinking and analyzing the situation in my head. A scythe whirled around me and my adjutant killing. The men around around us before returning to its senders hands. That man and bird diving into a hail of rockets with no fear. Before reappearing on the otherside of the explosions. Bisecting soldiers near and far like a grim reaper hunting. That bird burning and feasting on corpses as it sweeps the field behind him.

This day would be remembered by these men and women. As the day the reaper and his bird of death brought death. Along with salvation of reviving the dead and healing the wounded soldiers. They would later refer to the day as “Reapers Harvest” celebrating it. Every year on this day to pay their thanks to the reaper who helped them.