The room was a mess, books strewn across the floor, ink stains marring ancient parchments. A half-eaten apple lay forgotten on the desk, a testament to the chaos that had consumed the room. Chronicles, a renowned scientist, was at his wit's end. A recent surge in the rat population had turned his study into a battlefield. The tiny pests, with their beady eyes and nimble claws, had proven to be a formidable foe.

He recalled the tales of bounty hunters, those brave souls who would risk life and limb for a reward. Perhaps a similar incentive could motivate the citizens of the realm to join the fight against the rodent menace. A prize, a reward for each rat slain, could ignite a spark of hope in the hearts of the people.

With a newfound determination, Chronicles began to draft a proclamation. The reward would be generous, together with some consolation ones. He would call upon the townsfolk to unite against the common enemy. And so, the hunt began.