The day after the ruins incident Evan returned early to the office. He wanted to update the city’s risk board with the new readings. His mind was still heavy with unanswered questions. How had the Umbra Brokers amplified the curse channels. What were they trying to accomplish. And why attack adventurers who simply wanted protection.

When he opened the office door he froze. A sheet of parchment lay on the floor where someone had slipped it under the door overnight. The parchment smelled faintly of burnt herbs. A sign of curse enchantment. Evan lifted it carefully and read the message.

Your numbers interfere with our cycle.
Your protection disrupts our harvest.
Stop now or we will reclaim what you stole.

It was signed with the symbol of a crescent shadow. The mark of the Umbra Brokers. Evan felt unease settle over him. Their words were vague but threatening. Harvest. Cycle. What cycle. What were they gathering. He placed the parchment on the counter and locked the door behind him.

A few minutes later Elira and Mira arrived. Elira sensed the cursed parchment instantly. Her expression hardened. They are not afraid to threaten you directly now she said. Mira looked around nervously. Are we safe here. Evan answered We will be. But we need to take precautions.

Before they could discuss further, a loud noise erupted outside. People shouted. Something crashed. Evan rushed to the window. Adventurers ran in every direction. A cloud of black smoke rose from the side of the building. Garron sprinted into view, shield raised. Evan opened the door and stepped outside.

A group of masked figures stood in the street, cloaked in dark cloth. Curse mist pooled around their feet. One of them held a wand similar to the one Garron had recovered. Another held a burning scroll. Evan immediately recognized the signature energy. Umbra Brokers.

Garron stepped protectively in front of Evan. The lead attacker pointed his wand and spoke with a hollow voice. Your company ruins the flow. Adventurers must die for the cycle to continue. Your numbers weaken the harvest. Evan shouted What harvest. What are you taking from them.

The masked figure tilted his head. You do not understand. Death feeds the shadow. Those who try to prevent it must be removed.

Before Evan could respond the attackers launched a curse blast toward the entrance of his office. Garron blocked it with his shield. The force pushed him back several steps. Elira ran out and cast a cleansing spell to break the lingering curse fumes. Mira hid behind the doorway and shouted for guards.

Evan grabbed the Magic Risk Indicator from the counter. If they were going to fight he needed to track the curse levels. He activated the device. The crystals whirled and displayed rapidly changing numbers. The curse levels around the attackers fluctuated unnaturally. Evan shouted They are suppressing their curse signatures. They are hiding their real power.

Garron understood immediately. If they hid their energy then a sudden spike could overwhelm them. He braced himself. The lead attacker hurled another curse orb. Evan’s device screeched with a violent reading spike. Evan yelled Garron move. The orb detonated against the ground and released a wave of dark vines.

Draven appeared from the street and cut through the vines with a heavy swing. Behind him a group of adventurers formed a protective circle. Some were Evan’s clients. Others were simply tired of black market threats. One ranger shouted We protect the shield. Another warrior added This company saved lives. We will not let them destroy it.

The masked attackers hesitated. They had expected fear, not resistance. Elira spread her arms and released a wide cleansing wave. The curse mist receded. Evan pointed at the ground where the attackers’ curse shadows flickered chaotically. The device showed their energy destabilizing. They were weaker than they appeared.

Draven charged the lead attacker. Garron blocked a curse strike aimed at Evan. The ranger fired arrows at another attacker. The Umbra Brokers realized they could not win. One of them hissed Retreat. They threw down small dark crystals that burst into blinding smoke. When the smoke cleared the attackers were gone.

The street fell silent except for the stench of curse residue. Evan looked at the damage. Several walls had cracks burned into them. His office door was half shattered. Adventurers helped put out a small fire. Mira inspected the ground with shaken hands. Elira knelt beside a burned spot. Their curses were more potent than before she said. They are rushing something. Something dangerous.

Garron turned to Evan. They will attack again he said. Not just your office. The entire city could be at risk if they trigger another curse surge. Draven nodded. Death cycles. Harvest. They are using adventurers as fuel. Evan felt cold realization. The Umbra Brokers were not simply profit driven criminals. They believed in feeding curse entities. They needed chaos to strengthen something hidden in the shadows.

Evan gathered the risk device and stared at the cracked crystals. We need to upgrade this he said. We need stronger readings. More detailed detection. And we need allies. Garron crossed his arms. What is the plan. Evan looked at the group around him. Mira. Elira. Garron. Draven. Adventurers who had come to help. The city was waking up to the danger.

We protect the city Evan said. We expose the Umbra Brokers. We show the world that risk can be understood. We build a system that darkness cannot hide from. Elira nodded. Then we begin at once.

Evan walked back into the damaged office and placed the cursed parchment on the desk. The Umbra Brokers wanted him to stop. They wanted death to remain unmeasured. They wanted chaos to dominate. They wanted adventurers to stay blind.

He would not allow it.

The attack on Crestfall Risk Shield marked the beginning of a new war. Not with swords and spells alone. But with knowledge, numbers, preparation, and the belief that survival mattered.

And Evan was ready.