Karyl emerged from the black market, a satisfied smile gracing his lips. He tucked away a hefty pouch back into his coat and nodded approvingly. With a click, he flexed and unflexed his fist, testing the gauntlet that now encased his hand. 0

Among the array of items laid out from the three boxes, one had caught his eye. Though he criticized them as something you'd find in a B-grade dungeon, it was, in reality, a rare treasure, that even the imperial palace’s vaults might struggle to procure. 0

The craftsmanship of gnomes, it seemed, was indeed on par with that of the dwarves. The gauntlet, designed to fit perfectly, adjusted to his hand size upon wearing, snugging closely without any sense of foreignness.1

Well, it's a fair deal for the location of the remaining vein, not just for the sake of his kind. It's actually quite cheap. He should be thankful instead, Karyl mused, almost humming a tune without realizing it. 0

The gauntlet, forged from mithril, was not particularly special, but its durability and slight magical defense made it a suitable substitute for a shield.1

Suddenly, with a forceful grip, sharp blades sprang forth from the back of the gauntlet—a handy feature for emergencies. A flick of his wrist retracted the blades back into the gauntlet.1

Suan, who had...0