The door of Crestfall Risk Shield opened with a soft creak and a young man stepped inside. His cloak was torn and dust still clung to his boots. He looked nervous as he scanned the empty office. Evan stood behind the counter with a calm expression and waited for the young man to speak. The adventurer shifted uncomfortably and finally asked What is this place. The sign outside says insurance but no one knows what that means.

Evan smiled gently because he expected this question. Insurance is a system that protects you when something goes wrong he said. If you get injured you receive support. If your equipment breaks you receive compensation. If you die your family receives financial help. The young man blinked. My family he asked quietly. Evan nodded. Adventuring is dangerous. I want to reduce the impact of that danger.

The young man frowned. Why would you do that. Evan answered honestly. Because too many people die for avoidable reasons. Because the guild accepts it as normal. Because no one has tried to protect adventurers. The young man looked at the counter where four parchment sheets displayed the Bronze Silver Gold and Platinum plans. His eyes lingered on the Bronze plan because it had the lowest price.

What if I buy this he asked. Evan pointed to the small device on the counter. First I analyze your risk level he said. This device reads magical danger around you. Then I ask a few questions about your habits and mission history. Based on that your premium is set. If something happens during your next quest you receive support.

The young man hesitated then placed a small pouch of coins on the counter. I will try the Bronze plan he said. My name is Ryn. I cannot afford to die yet. My little sister needs me. Evan nodded and placed the device near Ryn’s armor. The crystal lights flickered and produced a moderate reading. Evan wrote down the value and compared it to the Adventurer Risk Index.

Your mana exposure is stable he said. But your armor has traces of curse dust. Also your sword has a structural crack. Ryn looked shocked. I did not notice that. Evan circled the crack on a diagram and handed it to him. Replace the sword before your next mission he said. It will reduce your risk score. Ryn nodded gratefully. No one ever told me this he said.

Evan gave him the Bronze policy scroll and explained how to make a claim. Ryn bowed politely before leaving. When the door closed Evan felt a small surge of satisfaction. The company had its first customer. A beginning. A seed. Something real. If he could help one person survive he could help thousands. But he also understood that one customer was not enough to keep the company alive. He needed more clients and more recognition.

Later that afternoon Mira visited the office during her break. She looked around and smiled at the freshly cleaned interior. You actually did it she said. You opened the place. Evan nodded. One customer today he replied. Mira laughed softly. That is one more than I expected. But the guild is curious. People are talking about you.

Evan knew curiosity was important. Adventurers often followed trends. If one trusted his service others would follow. He asked Mira how the guild master responded to the idea. Mira sighed. He thinks you are an idealist she said. He thinks adventurers enjoy danger too much to care about numbers. Evan shrugged. I do not need everyone to understand. I only need enough clients to build data models. Once the risk scores show clear benefits the others will join.

Before Mira could reply the door burst open. A tall warrior limped inside. His armor was cracked and smoke rose from one of his shoulder plates. His name was Garron and he was known for taking reckless quests. He slammed his hand on the counter. You are the insurance man he said. Evan nodded cautiously. Garron pulled out a damaged shield. A huge burn mark covered the surface. A cursed flame trap he growled. Nearly killed me. I need something. Protection. Help. Whatever you offer.

Evan calmly studied the shield. The scorch patterns indicated unstable curse pressure. Using the device he measured the lingering magic. The numbers flashed high. Your mission had an extreme hazard level he said. Garron snorted. No wonder half my team ran away. Evan offered him the Silver plan. It included equipment repair compensation and a team risk report. Garron narrowed his eyes. Will this help me survive my next mission.

Evan answered with honesty. It gives you information. How you use it affects the result. Garron stared at him for a long moment then tossed a heavy coin pouch onto the counter. Fine he said. Sign me up. This world is too unpredictable.

Mira watched the transaction and whispered He was the last person I expected to see here. Evan nodded. Fear changes people he replied. When adventurers realize danger can be analyzed they will want control. Garron left with his policy and repair voucher. Evan recorded the data into his index and studied the pattern. Curse traps were showing increased activity near the western ruins. If that pattern continued he needed to warn the guild soon.

As evening approached Evan lit small lanterns around the office. The door remained open but no more customers arrived. He sat at his desk and reviewed the mission logs. With each new piece of data his risk model improved. He noticed specific time periods where monster migrations peaked. He saw that certain adventurer habits increased death probability. Reckless rushing. Ignoring wounds. Poor equipment maintenance. He began writing a pamphlet titled Basic Safety for Adventurers which he planned to hand out to new clients.

But as he wrote the door opened again. This time a young healer entered. Her robe was clean and her staff glowed with gentle light. She introduced herself as Elira and said she had heard rumors that someone was trying to predict deaths. Evan felt uncomfortable with the phrasing but did not deny it. I am predicting risk he said. Not death. Risk can be adjusted.

Elira sat down. Many of my friends have died she said. If you can reduce that I want to help. Evan listened as she described her experiences. Healers often saw the aftermath of careless decisions. Teams split apart. Injuries ignored until it was too late. Evan asked if she wanted insurance. Elira shook her head. I want to work with you she said.

Evan paused. What do you mean. Elira explained that healers could detect subtle changes in life energy. These changes often signaled danger before monsters even appeared. Evan realized this ability could be integrated into the risk index. If they combined healer intuition with numerical data the system would become far more accurate. He nodded slowly. I can use your help he said. Together we can build something better.

Elira smiled softly. I believe in your idea she said. And someone needs to protect adventurers from themselves. They both laughed lightly at that because it was true. Adventurers were brave but also stubborn. It would take time to change their habits.

When night fell Elira left the office and Evan locked the door. He stood alone in the dim room and felt a quiet sense of momentum. Two clients and one new ally in a single day. The company was still fragile but it was alive. He looked at the wooden sign hanging outside. Crestfall Risk Shield. It felt like the beginning of a new era not just for him but for the entire adventurer industry.

He sat at his desk and wrote one final note in his book. People are starting to understand. This world is ready for change. It only needs someone willing to measure the unknown.

He would be that someone.