Probably having bad luck with the Thief's Cuffs. Fortunately there's an *actual* guaranteed chest for them in the Mosphorn Highwaste camp, so while having two is nice (and absolutely recommended for some rarer steals) you can at least get the one pretty easily.

I do recommend trying Zalera now. The path to him will be a good test on whether or not you're ready for him because you can get swarmed real easily. Also I think you can do the Bloodwing hunt on the way by now, so that's convenient. You can also do Antlion by now I think? That's another fun and extensive hunt sidequest.

Also unfortunate to hear about your dislike of the Bazaar system, since the power of the Bazaar ultimate weapons has been upped to separate them from the weapons you get in high level dungeons.