Maddy spent the rest of the week grinding. She didn't go back to the merchant's district; instead, she threw herself into F-rank quests, treating them with a cold, mechanical efficiency.
She helped with mundane personal errands, handled small-scale disputes, and gathered information from every corner of the city. In doing so, she quietly collected something more valuable than coin: the hearts and trust of the common people. She listened to their gossip, learned the inner workings of the nation, and mapped out the power structures that ran this world. By the time the week was up, she was fully packed and prepared, possessing a deeper understanding of the land than most seasoned adventurers.
Now, she stood before the guild's quest board, her eyes scanning the pinned parchments. She went to the section usually cluttered with low-level tasks, but her hand paused.
The F rank section was empty.
