The next morning Evan organized the new set of mission records the guild master had provided. They contained detailed notes about dungeon patterns curse outbreaks and monster migrations from the past decade. With these records he could improve the Adventurer Risk Index significantly. As he studied the logs he noticed something unsettling. Certain patterns in the western ruins suggested not only increased curse activity but an external influence. Curses normally fluctuated gradually. The new patterns showed abrupt spikes as if someone was deliberately amplifying the danger.

Before he could investigate further the office door opened. A middle aged adventurer entered with a troubled expression. Are you Evan he asked. Evan nodded. The man placed a scroll on the counter. I want to ask something. Is this a real insurance contract. Evan examined the scroll and felt a chill run down his spine. The contract was indeed labeled as insurance but the wording was suspicious. Compensation amounts were impossibly high for the low price listed. Terms were vague and strange. The scroll even listed a curse clause that made no sense. Where did you get this Evan asked.

The man hesitated. A group in the night market sold it he said. They claimed it was better than yours. Evan felt his expression tighten. That was dangerous. A fraudulent insurance scroll could destroy trust in the entire concept. Evan asked how many people had bought it. Several he replied. Some even said they would never buy yours because theirs was cheaper.

Elira walked in at that moment. She examined the scroll carefully then shook her head. This contract is cursed she said quietly. Evan felt alarm growing. Someone cursed an insurance contract. Why he asked. Elira closed her eyes briefly sensing the flow of magic. Because if the buyer dies the curse binds their soul for a short moment she said. It prevents compensation from activating even if the contract is real. In this case the contract is fake but the curse makes sure no one questions the seller.

Evan understood immediately. Someone created a black market insurance business. Low cost. No real compensation. Cursed terms preventing claims. It was not only fraud. It was sabotage. He realized what it meant. Someone wanted to destroy his company before it grew. Someone who profited from chaos. Someone who preferred adventurers dying without protection.

He thanked the adventurer for bringing the scroll and instructed him to avoid using it. As the man left Mira rushed into the office with worry. Evan she said. Rumors are spreading. Some adventurers say your insurance is unnecessary because the night market offers cheaper plans. Evan calmly placed the cursed scroll on the counter. These plans are fraudulent he said. And dangerous. Mira stared at the scroll. Who would do this she asked. Evan replied Someone who fears change.

That afternoon three more adventurers brought similar scrolls. Some felt sick after carrying them. Elira inspected each one and found curse traces in all of them. These curses weaken the user’s life energy she explained. It makes them more vulnerable in battle. Evan clenched his fists. Black market insurers were not only cheating people they were killing them.

He gathered the four cursed scrolls and realized something else. The curses had matching signatures. Someone powerful created them. Someone skilled in dark enchantment. Someone organized. This was not random black market fraud. It was a coordinated attack.

That evening Evan went to Lira’s workshop with the cursed scrolls. She studied them under a bright blue crystal. After a long silence she said This is the work of a group called the Umbra Brokers. Evan raised an eyebrow. I have never heard of them. Lira nodded. That is because they operate in shadows. They sell cursed contracts to desperate adventurers. They profit from death not survival. If your company threatens their business they will try to eliminate you.

Evan returned to his office with a heavy mind. He needed a strategy. If the city started associating insurance with curses his entire system would collapse. He had to expose the Umbra Brokers. But he could not do it alone. He needed allies. People who understood magic. People who understood risk. People who believed in this new system.

As he prepared to close the office someone knocked on the door. It was Garron the warrior. His expression was serious. I heard rumors he said. People say a cursed insurance is spreading. Evan nodded. It is true. Garron looked down at his repaired shield then back at Evan. If someone is trying to destroy your company I want to help. Your warning saved my life. If your system grows fewer people will die. I hate those who prey on fear.

Evan felt genuine gratitude. He explained the situation and Garron listened intently. Then Garron cracked his knuckles. If you want I can look around the night market. I know its hidden paths. Maybe I can find the sellers. Evan agreed. But be careful he said. These people do not hesitate to hurt others. Garron nodded. Danger I understand. Fraud I will not forgive.

As Garron left Evan sat at his desk and wrote a new entry in his notebook. The world is not only dangerous. It has predators who profit from danger. To build a safer system I must face both monsters and men.

Outside the city walls a cold wind swept across the dark forest. Somewhere in the shadows the Umbra Brokers were preparing their next move.

And Crestfall Risk Shield would soon face the first true battle of its existence.