I looked around myself once more, confused as to how he could have sneaked up on me. However, I couldn't tell how he had done it. One thing was sure, this dwarf was far from normal.
"You made a great choice, young man."
"Really?" Amelia replied with a smile. "Do you think it fits him?"
The dwarf was pensive for a short moment as he began looking at me up and down.
"Um, yes. Usually, gauntlet users are quite bulky and use brute force to overwhelm their opponents, which doesn't necessarily fit your physique. However, they can also be used to deliver short, deadly blows, which seems much more appropriate in your case."
'He managed to tell my fighting style just by looking at me.'
He wasn't just abnormal. This dwarf was an absolute expert when it came to weapons. In fact, he was probably the owner of this smithy.
"And you are?" I asked, unable to hold myself back anymore.
"My name is Thorin, the owner of this smithy! Some even call me the best blacksmith on the continent. It's a pleasure to meet you lads!" He exclaimed with a bright smile. "Looking at each of you, I can tell you've been through a lot and are all exceptional in your own ways."
All of us nodded as he continued speaking.
"So, are you all here to buy a new weapon, or is there another reason?"
Amelia and Ivy immediately glanced in my direction, wondering if they should talk about the quest we had taken on. Truth be told, just like them, I was debating whether it was a good idea or not.
There was a small chance that Thorin might be linked to those deaths; however, the chances were small, and with his influence within Altrix, he was bound to have useful information for us. He might even put us on the right path in finding out the cause of those charred bodies.
"Hm, actually both."
He laughed. "Haha! I could tell, it's not every day I get a visit from the Lix and Elarion families..."
'He already knew who they were...' I nodded. 'That was probably the reason why he asked me questions. He might be pondering about my identity. It might be the reason why he sneaked up on us from the very beginning.'
In that very instant, I doubted if we should speak of our quest to him.
He seemed a little... off.
"We decided to stop by here since I needed a weapon. But now that's done, we'll go on our way. Thank you for your help!" I smiled. "How much are those gauntlets?"
He gave me a pat on my shoulder. "You can have them for free. Though, let's just say that you owe me one, how about that?"
Amelia and Ivy were surprised, clearly happy. However, I wasn't as happy as them. I didn't like owing people, especially powerful people like this dwarf. After all, what was the use of having a favor from me? Instead of being happy, I became suspicious.
"Do you even need a favor from me?"
He rubbed his long beard. "Mhm, let's just say that I'm gambling on your future."
"Can I refuse your favor in the future if I think it's exaggerated?"
Thorin shrugged. "Sure."
Only then did I agree as we began heading for the exit. However, just as we were about to push the door, he spoke to us once more.
"About your other purpose for visiting this city, I'd be careful about who you can trust. Not everyone in this city is as they seem. There's a reason no one has found the cause of those dead bodies."
My eyes widened instinctively. 'He already figured out the reason why we're here. Just who is this dwarf...?'
His instincts were incredible for a blacksmith.
"I see, and do you have any idea where we should start?"
Since he had already figured it out, there was no longer any point in hiding the purpose of our visit. If he could help us, then we would gladly agree.
"I think you should start by visiting the mayor. He's the one who made the request. Once you meet him, I'm sure things will become a little bit clearer."
I frowned at the way he said his last sentence. It was as if there was something underlying it, as if the mayor wasn't someone we could trust, just like he had said before.
Nevertheless, there was no point in making hasty conclusions.
Everyone living in Altrix was still a suspect as far as I knew, Thorin included.
I forced a smile. "Thanks for the tip! I guess that's where we will head next."
We left the smithy as the same line of people began looking at us in jealousy. None of us glanced in their direction as we headed toward the City Hall to meet the mayor of Altrix.
It didn't take us very long to find the City Hall as it was at the end of the main road of Altrix, where dozens of small shops were open on both sides of the road, selling all kinds of things.
However, contrary to other bustling cities, Altrix was different. The atmosphere was dim and quiet. Most shopkeepers seemed scared for their lives.
It seemed the mysterious deaths had begun to affect the majority of the population.
"AHHHHH!"
Suddenly, a loud scream came from our right as the three of us immediately ran in its direction.
Flames surrounded a girl's body as she continued to scream. However, what was most shocking was the fact that no one had come to help her. Every single person on the road acted as if they hadn't heard anything.
'Has it become this common or... is it something else?'
I pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind as I continued to observe the dying girl.
"I-I'll try to save her," Amelia said.
However, I held her back. If she came close to that girl, her life would be put in danger. Those flames were far from normal; they seemed to be imbued with thick mana. Or, at least, an energy that seemed similar to it.
[??? is reacting to strange energy...]
'I knew it. Whatever is causing those deaths is related to my bloodline.'