The Brain Hole is a Bit Too Big

"Whether it's just to scare children or not, you'll find out tonight."

Asuma's tone was half-joking, half-serious. "But there's nothing wrong with being cautious.

Keep your eyes open when you're on watch tonight."

Aoba nodded, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the surrounding sands.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the dunes, casting long shadows. Those shadows swayed slightly in the wind, as though concealing some unknown danger.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, secretly making up his mind: no matter what these sand demons were, Kawaki Aoba was not someone who would be frightened.

Night fell, and the caravan finally stopped at the small oasis the leader had mentioned.

The so-called oasis was really just a slightly damp depression in the desert. A few withered, spindly trees grew sparsely around it, and beneath them was a murky pool that gave off a faint muddy smell.

The caravan members skillfully pitched their tents and lit campfires, busy but orderly.

Aoba sat by the fire with a piece of hardtack in his hand. After taking a bite, he frowned. "This stuff's as hard as a rock. Is this what people in the desert eat?"

"Quit complaining. You should be grateful if it fills your stomach."

Asuma sat beside him, wiping down a short blade in the firelight. "Get some rest after you eat. We'll be taking turns keeping watch tonight."

Aoba snorted and looked up at the leader.

The man stood by the waterhole, speaking quietly with several caravan members. From time to time, he pointed at the surrounding sand, his expression grave.

Aoba could not help murmuring, "He's not going to tell a bunch of scary stories tonight too, is he?"

"If he does, just treat it as a story."

Asuma smiled, but his