Aldous trudged along the dirt road that led to the town of Ashwood, his battered leather boots kicking up dust with each step. He had been walking for days, ever since he left his village of Ark Ville to seek his fortune as a mercenary.

As he drew closer to Ashwood, Aldous could see the walls of the town looming ahead of him. It was a small, nondescript place, but it was the site of the Adventurers Guild's local branch, and that was where Aldous was headed.

He had been raised in poverty, the son of a farmer who had struggled to keep his family fed and sheltered. Aldous had always dreamed of a better life, one where he didn't have to worry about where his next meal was coming from. Becoming a mercenary seemed like the best way to achieve that dream.

But it hadn't been easy. As a newcomer to the mercenary guild, Aldous had been assigned the lowest rank possible: F. He had been forced to take on menial jobs and scraps of work, doing whatever he could to earn enough gold to keep himself fed and clothed.

As he approached the Adventurers Guild branch in Ashwood, Aldous felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He had heard that the guild could offer lucrative contracts to skilled mercenaries, but he also knew that competition was fierce. He had to prove himself if he wanted to rise up through the ranks and make a name for himself.

Aldous stepped through the doors of the guild hall and was immediately struck by the noise and bustle of the place. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes were gathered around tables, drinking ale and swapping stories. Aldous felt a pang of envy as he looked at their gear and weapons, knowing that he couldn't afford anything like that.

He approached the front desk and was greeted by a middle-aged man with a bushy beard and a stern expression.

"Name?" the man asked, not looking up from his ledger.

"Aldous," he replied.

The man scanned his ledger and then looked up at Aldous with a raised eyebrow.

"New blood, eh? And an F rank to boot. You'll have your work cut out for you if you want to climb the ranks, lad."

Aldous felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He knew he was starting from the bottom, but he hadn't realized just how low that was.

"Anything you can offer me?" he asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.

The man scratched his beard thoughtfully.

"Well, there's a job that needs doing in the nearby village of Oakwood. They've been having some trouble with bandits raiding their farms and stealing their crops. We've had some mercs go in and clear out the bandits, but they keep coming back. You interested?"

Aldous nodded eagerly. It wasn't the most glamorous job, but it was a start.

"Good. Here's the contract. You'll be paid on completion, and you'll earn some experience points that will help you move up the ranks. Don't mess this up, Aldous. We're watching."

Aldous took the contract and stepped back from the desk, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He had a job to do, and a chance to prove himself. He just hoped he was up to the challenge.