Alexandre impatiently scanned the gauntlets with his Pip-Boy and read the results.
╔═══════Aurora Nexus: Inspection Mode ═══════╕
╟─╼[Weapon][Set][Hunter][Boxer][Rare][Crafted]
╟─╼[Name] Powerful Black Steel Gauntlet
╟─╼[Price] $1,600,000
╟─╼[Designer] Jasper Grosburg
╠══════════════╡
╟─[STATISTICS]
║╰╼[Strength: Handle]: +4
║╰╼[Agility: Handle]: +1
║╰╼[Resistance: Handle]: -2
╠══════════════╡
╟─[EFFECT]
║╰╼[Impact: Shockwave on impact of punch.]
╠══════════════╡
╟─[SUMMARY]
║ "These cursed gauntlets, forged by Jasper Grosburg himself, are said to feed on the user's own blood—but this is probably just a legend. What is true, however, is that these gauntlets are extremely hard. This gives an advantage in terms of damage, but will also cause significant wounds to the user's hand. Use with caution!"
╚════════════════════════════════════╛
Alexandre was shocked at the huge Strength bonus. This was an incredible set of weapons, even better than he'd been expecting! However, the price was certainly an issue. Alexandre was starting to ask himself some serious questions about the Hunter-industrial complex…
At last, he said, "Well, I'm very interested. This is exactly what I'm looking for. On the other hand, this price is ridiculous! You're sitting here at a bazaar stall asking for prices like this!? Do you have anything similar but at something of a more reasonable price?"
The seller gave a broad shrug. "Sorry. Complain about the prices all you like, but they're competitive with everyone else around us. You need to get used to these sorts of prices if you're going to be a Hunter! If you complain now, you're just making it obvious how much of a rookie you are."
A peculiar look suddenly came into the seller's eye. "Well… to answer your question, most of my wares are like those you'll find everywhere else here… salvaged from battlefields. My crafted wares sell very quickly. You're lucky that you're a Boxer, since there aren't many members of that class who come looking for this kind of gear, so I've had it on hand for a while. With that in mind, so that I can finally get rid of them, perhaps we could come to an arrangement on the price."
Alexandre was intrigued. "What sort of arrangement?"
The seller said, "I can lower the price to $1,250,000. That's more than 10% off!"
Alexandre shook his head. "Sorry, I still don't have that kind of money."
The man scratched his chin. "I thought you'd say that. How about this: I lower the price to $850,000, but you do a little something for me in return?"
Alexandre replied cautiously, "I'm listening."
The seller said, "I'd like you to bring back some Zombie bones and blood from the training island."
His expression implied that Alexandre should immediately understand what he meant by this, but of course Alexandre had no idea.
"Can you explain a bit more?" Alexandre asked.
The salesman leaned back in astonishment. "Oh, you're a brand new student, then!?"
An embarrassed Alexandre replied, "Well, yes… Everyone has to be at some point."
The sales assistant laughed. "You're not wrong. Well, doesn't matter. The training island is exactly what it sounds like, the island where students train. It's full of Tier-E Zombies. The nice thing about it is that it offers little risk, but there's still lots of biological matter to be collected."
Alexandre was skeptical. "Then why don't you just go there yourself?"
"Only students are allowed. I'd be arrested on sight! The academy authorities are very strict about maintaining it as something of a nature reserve for student training."
Alexandre thought about this. He didn't think the salesman was lying. "Can you be clearer about exactly what you need? Are you looking for organs, like the heart or kidneys?"
The salesman shook his head. "No, forget the organs. They're interesting for medical use, but there's no chance that a rookie like you has the skills or even tools to harvest and preserve them properly. In fact, to minimize your chances of bungling the whole operation, focus on the bones! Ten kilos of Zombie bones and I'll give you that big discount."
Before Alexandre could open his mouth, the seller raised a hand and hurriedly said, "Of course, Zombie bones are, on average, 20% lighter than human bones, and much stronger. Actually… the skulls! Ten kilos of Zombie skulls, that's my final request."