The E99 has updated design every few years, and if you're a bit lucky you may get a previous model with a substantial price reduction. My brother got his E99 waxless (though without easy skin mount) for 200 USD equivalent including bindings, a few years ago, and it is a very capable do it all ski.
I have no experience with the S98, but I wonder from the specifications if it would be too similar to your S112.
As you mention you are looking for "skinny" skis, I think this is perhaps not ideal?
In the Åsnes range, the Gamme does not come in Waxless variety. The closest thing dimension wise is the Finnmark 54 which does not have steel edges, is mainly catering for people with dogs.
Generally the Åsnes Waxless have a 40% shorter grip zone than the Fischers, resulting in less grip but better glide.
The Åsnes waxless range otherwise includes Amundsen Fram (stiff version of the Amundsen), the Nansen, the MT51, and the Ingstad. There is also the Mountain Race 48 with built in skins.
The Amundsen is a well loved, strongly cambered ski but is known to be a tough ski to turn.
I have not tried the Ingstad, but people here rave about the Ingstad in general, which is a pretty good sign.
I use Åsnes Nansen waxless and I like them, unfortunately it seems that few people here have tried both. Generally the Nansen for some reason is not super popular in the USA it seems, but in Norway it is considered a "do it all" touring ski, a bit between the E99 and the E109 if you like.
Utemagasinet.no tested a few waxless skis recently, here are the test results (I hope I am not infringing on copyright):
Glossary: Feste = Grip; Sving i løs snø = turning in loose snow; Bæreevne = flotation; Glid = glide; Sving i hard snø = turning on hardpack; Helhet = overall rating. Tested by two 95kg skiers
https://www.utemagasinet.no/test/test-a ... rie-turski
Åsnes Nansen Waxless, 205cm length, 25mm camber, 44kg force to compress flat, 54m sidecut radius
Åsnes Ingstad Waxless, 205cm length, 22mm camber, 43kg force to compress flat, 42m sidecut radius
Fischer Excursion 88 Crown, 188cm length, 30mm camber, 38kg force to compress flat, 48m sidecut radius
Fischer Traverse 78 Crown, 198cm length, 33mm camber, 28kg to compress flat, 55m sidecut radius
Rossignol BC80 Positrack, 187mm length, 23mm camber, 42kg to compress flat, 42m sidecut radius
Again, although I have only tested the Nansens amongst these myself, the grip and gliding ratings are in any case matching my experience of Åsnes vs. Fischer.
The grip is sufficient in the right snow conditions, but in long moderately steep sections the short skins are definitely useful, whereas with Fischers (pre-easy skin) I never felt the need for getting a short-skin variety.
On the other hand the short skins definitely grip much more than the Fischer Crown pattern, and can often be used instead of full length skins.
I am somewhat surprised at the turning ratings for the Ingstad, the written portion of this review underlines this impression. The reviewers write that the turning initiation with the Ingstad is easy but that it wants to go straight afterwards. They assign this to a very stiff rear part of the skis which grabs the snow more than the front.
In any case the Rossignol BC80 Positrack here has pretty good review, but it is noted as very difficult to turn in loose snow. Perhaps this is a different construction altogether (apart from the obvious dimensions) than the OT65.