Zaro woke and decided to review his inventory. He pulled everything from void storage to take stock: five void gems pulsing with dark energy, sixteen void shards glinting like shadowy glass, and four pieces of Aetherium casting their familiar blue glow. The void steel he'd been saving sat apart from the rest, seeming to respond to his presence with a slight vibration that resonated with his void energy.

He sat cross-legged on the floor of his room and pulled the void steel from storage. The metal seemed to respond to his presence, a slight vibration that resonated with his void energy. Perfect for bracers, he thought. Something to enhance his blocking without sacrificing speed.

He focused his void control, watching as the metal began to flow like liquid shadow. The bracers took shape—elegant but practical, wrapping perfectly around his forearms. Not too bulky, just enough coverage to deflect blows while maintaining mobility.

Base Defense Rating: Uncommon

Material Bonus, Void Steel: Plus 1 level. Rare level defense rating.

If there is someone or something stronger than rare level, these bracers will take damage and eventually fail, just like in real life. Zaro thought.

The uncommon quality was just a starting point. He could feel the potential in the metal, waiting for his void control skill to improve so he could reforge them into something greater. For now, though, they would serve their purpose, letting him block incoming attacks without compromising his speed-based fighting style. He slipped them on, adjusting the fit until they settled perfectly against his forearms. The void steel hummed against his skin, already beginning to attune to his energy.

He needed a chest piece next—something light but protective. The merchant quarter would be opening soon, and he'd heard rumors of an armorer who specialized in mobility-focused gear.

Zaro stepped out into the morning air, adjusting his new bracers. The sun was just beginning to peek over Everlight's eastern walls, painting the city in soft gold. Street vendors were setting up their carts, the smell of fresh bread and coffee mixing with the morning dew.

System: Main character energy check, walking through town at sunrise. That's some anime protagonist type beat right there.

He took the high road down from the adventurer's district, watching the city wake up below. Guards changing shifts nodded as he passed, noting his gold rank badge. To them, he was just another skilled adventurer making his morning rounds.

The merchant quarter sprawled before him, a maze of colorful awnings and shop signs. The main thoroughfare was already bustling: traders arguing prices, apprentices hauling goods, and the occasional glint of enchanted items being demonstrated to wealthy customers.

System: Look at all these NPCs living their best life. Meanwhile, my boy out here with powers that would make Marvel say, "That's a bit much."

Zaro spotted the shop sign swinging gently in the morning breeze: Ernesto's Flexible Defensibles, painted in flowing script with a running warrior as the logo.

System: My boy Ernesto really said, "Fuck them traditional armor shops," and made mobility his whole brand. Respect the hustle.

The storefront was narrow but deep, mannequins in the window wearing what looked like leather and reinforced cloth armor. Each piece seemed designed to flow with movement rather than restrict it.

System: Bet they got a sign that says, "Live, Laugh, Don't Die," somewhere in there.

A bell chimed as he pushed open the door. The interior smelled of leather and metal polish, with racks of armor organized by weight class. Behind the counter, a lean man with graying temples was adjusting a display.

System: Ten gold says this mf about to give Zaro the, "I was an adventurer like you," speech. Classic Skyrim moment incoming.

The man looked up from his work, his red curly hair and beard making him look like a warrior-turned-craftsman Santa Claus.

"Welcome to Ernesto's, I'm Ernesto," he said, his voice carrying the accent of the northern kingdoms.

System: My guy looking like if Ed Sheeran became a blacksmith instead of a singer, for real for real.

"I'm looking for something light," Zaro said, gesturing to his new bracers. "Need to keep my speed, but also not die."

Ernesto's eyes lit up as he noticed the bracers. "Ah, a mobility fighter! Those are some nice bracers—custom work?" He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I might have exactly what you need. Been working on a new design: reinforced leather with an enchanted silk underlayer."

System: Watch this man bout to hit him with that, "This isn't just any armor," speech. Discovery Channel blacksmith type shit.

Ernesto moved to the back wall and pulled down a sleek chest piece, laying it on the counter. The leather was a deep brown, almost black, with intricate patterns worked into the surface.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

System: This that drip-or-drown armor right here. Straight premium loot.

"Let me show you what makes this special," Ernesto said, running his thick fingers along the seams. "The outer layer is treated monster hide—flexible but tough. Under that," he lifted a corner to reveal a shimmering fabric, "enchanted silk mesh. Spreads impact across the whole piece instead of just where you get hit."

"The whole thing weighs less than standard leather," Ernesto continued, "but offers better protection. See these panels? They overlap but don't restrict movement. You could do a backflip in this and not feel restricted."

"Can you dye it black? And do you have the leggings and boots to go with it?" Zaro asked, already imagining the complete set.

Ernesto grinned, his red beard spreading wide. "Black dye? Easy work—got a special process that won't affect the enchantments. And yeah," he moved down the counter, pulling out matching pieces, "got the full set right here."

System: About to be the freshest void user in Everlight.

The leggings followed the same design, reinforced at the knees and thighs but flexible at the joints. The boots were ankle-height, perfect for quick movements, with extra padding around the heel and ball of the foot.

"All pieces use the same enchanted silk underlayer," Ernesto explained, laying out the full set. "The complete setup works together, distributes impact even better. Plus," he added with a knowing smile, "black goes with everything."

System: My dude's about to look like he raided Batman's closet.

Ernesto laid out a small pricing slate next to the armor.

Reinforced Leather Set, Uncommon Quality:

Legs with Enhanced Movement joints.

Boots with Silent Step enhancement.

Combined Set Bonus adds 20 percent Impact Distribution.

Price: 75 gold.

"The black dye process would be another 5 gold," Ernesto said, "but I will throw in maintenance oil for the leather. Keeps it flexible and water-resistant," Ernesto added. "Most mobility fighters see better results than standard warriors because they know how to move in it."

Zaro asked if he could enhance the equipment or if that's as good as it gets.

"This set can handle enhancements," Ernesto said, stroking his beard. "Aetherium would work well with the silk mesh layer—make the impact distribution even stronger." His eyes caught the gleam of the Void Gem as Zaro brought it out.

System: Mans pulled up with the mythic-tier crafting mats and didn’t even flex.

"A Void Gem?" Ernesto whistled low. "Those are rare. Most folks don’t know this, but Void Gems can create perfect affinity channels through armor. Doesn’t matter what type of energy you use, that gem would let you flow it through the whole set like a second skin."

"Would need three Aetherium crystals for the full set," he continued. "The Void Gem could handle the channeling matrix for everything. Build you something unique. ‘Course, that kind of work costs extra—another 40 gold for the enhancement process."

System: Ernesto isn’t fat, he thick. But he looks like he smells like cookies. Either that or shit.

Zaro pulled three pieces of Aetherium and two Void Gems out of his void storage, placing them carefully on the countertop. He'd still have two Aetherium crystals and three Void Gems in reserve, plus all his shards for crafting—a fair trade for what he hoped to gain.

Ernesto moved to wipe his hands on his leather apron, red curls bouncing as he shook his head in disbelief. His eyes fixed on the Aetherium crystals glowing with that familiar blue light.

"Lad," he said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "that's premium crafting material right there. And Void Gems?" His eyes widened. "Those are rarer than an honest politician."

He picked up one of the crystals, examining it with an expert's eye. "Pure and stable. Perfect for enhancement work. And these gems," he whistled low, "they’d let me weave void energy directly into the metal."

System: This man’s about to craft some serious gourmet shit.

Ernesto laid out Zaro's bracers, their familiar dark metal catching the forge light. "The crafting materials you've brought, plus the work already done on these bracers..." He grinned. "I could make you something special."

He moved to his workbench, pulling out diagrams and enchanting tools. "Give me three days. I'll need time to properly align the void energy with the Aetherium matrix. But when it's done..." His eyes gleamed with professional pride. "You'll have a complete set that would make most legendary gear look like cheap festival trinkets."

"Price?" Zaro asked.

"For materials like these?" Ernesto waved off the question. "The chance to work with both Aetherium and Void Gems? That's payment enough. Though..." He stroked his beard again. "If you find any more rare materials in your adventures, keep me in mind."

"Deal," Zaro agreed.

System: Hot damn! This ginger Santa’s about to hook you up with some premium armor! Better than that basic bitch gear you've been rocking.

"Shall we discuss what you're looking for in terms of enhancement?" Ernesto asked, already sketching designs.

Zaro wanted one thing: Affinity amplification. As he plainly explained this to his new finger friend, the man’s eyes lit up as he leaned forward, red beard practically bristling with excitement.

"Affinity amplification? Now that's ambitious, lad. Most folks just want straight defense or power enhancement."

He pulled out a fresh piece of parchment, sketching complex runic patterns. "See, the Void Gems create natural conduits for energy flow. When we layer that with Aetherium's resonance..." His fingers traced flowing lines across the paper. "We can create a sort of magical feedback loop."

"The basic idea," he continued, "is to use the Aetherium as an energy matrix. The Void Gems act as catalysts, allowing the armor to recognize and amplify whatever affinity energy you channel through it—fire, lightning, shadow, doesn’t matter. The enhancement reads your intent and boosts the output."

He held up one of the Void Gems, watching purple energy swirl within. "But what makes this really special is how it'll interact with your affinity. The armor won’t just amplify magic; it’ll actually learn from how you use it. The more you practice with different affinities, the stronger the enhancement grows."

System: Did this motherfucker just describe adaptive armor? That’s some next-level shit!

Ernesto grabbed a small hammer and began tapping patterns into a piece of scrap metal, demonstrating the rune placement. "The complete set will have three major components. The bracers you already have form the foundation. We'll add greaves for your legs—they’ll help ground and stabilize the energy flow. Finally, a chest piece to act as the central focus, binding it all together."

He looked up from his work, eyes serious. "Fair warning, though—this kind of enhancement can be intense at first. Takes time for your body to adjust to the increased energy flow. Might feel like your blood is carbonated for the first few days."

System: Like drinking four Four Lokos while getting tased. Fun times ahead!

"Worth it," Zaro said firmly.

Ernesto grinned. "That's what I like to hear." He began laying out his tools with practiced precision. "Just remember, this armor will grow with you. The more affinities you master, the more it learns to amplify. Sky’s the limit, really. Most people can channel one type of energy, maybe two. Rarely, people that are skilled can channel three. Prodigies can channel more, and it’s the stuff of legends to channel all."

Zaro pulled his Void Fangs from storage and laid them on the counter. "These could use improvement while you are working on the armor."

Ernesto lifted one blade, his eyes going wide as he felt the void energy within. "Your work?" His fingers moved along the edge. "The craft needs refinement, but this energy flow..." He looked at Zaro differently now. "Most void crafters need years to achieve this kind of infusion."

An idea struck Zaro as he watched the craftsman examine his work. "You have the skill and the workshop. I can get Void Gems and rare materials. We could partner up."

Ernesto ran fingers through his red beard, but his eyes showed he was already calculating. "Void-enhanced weapons and armor made with premium materials?" He grinned wide. "We could own this market. No one else in Everlight has steady access to Void Gems."

System Alert

Contract Conditions Detected

Pending Agreement: Crafting Partnership

Required Elements: Profit Distribution, Material Sourcing, Production Goals.

Status: Incomplete.

Achievement Unlocked

Entrepreneur

First Business Partnership Initiated.

Reward: Merchant skill tree unlocked.

Note: From Voidwalker to Void Merchant—expanding that portfolio.

Zaro held out his hand. "Partners?"

Ernesto gripped firm, grin spreading under his red beard. "Return tomorrow. We will handle guild contracts and proper terms." His eyes lit with possibilities. "And I will show you what these daggers can become."

System: My man’s about to turn this blacksmith shop into an empire. Started from the bottom—now we crafting legendary gear.

Zaro walked out more excited than he had been in years, maybe ever in his life.