...That is... once again, quite a lot to take in. It seems, much like the last time, that this won't be an easy choice to make. So, let's-

"Um, dude. How come you haven't evolved? Didja opt-out at the last second or something? Hey, it's cool man, this is a big step for insect-kind, macroevolution and all that," Todd says, walking up and placing himself in my field of view. For a moment, I wonder just how daft he is, before I realize the error is not his, but mine.

"-Oh! Sorry, I must have forgotten to tell you. When I evolve, I'm presented with a selection of several possible evolutions. Right now, I'm staring at my... possibilities."

His eyes light up and he quickly manoeuvres to stand right beside me. "Seriously?? You get to choose what to evolve into??? That is-,, okay, dude, you gotta tell me what your options are. Seriously. I'll discuss it with you. We'll talk this over. You just-,, tell me it."

"Oh, uh. The first one is a dog, ranked D+-,"

"Wait, hold on, what rank are you?"

"I'm currently D."

"...How much is D. Like, compared to things."

"...I have no idea. I was sort of hoping you understood how ranks worked?"

"Me?? HAH, nah, nah, I just went on this quest since the adventurer gang I joined told me it would be good and stuff. I have no idea what ranks like, actually mean. But, speaking in grades, I'd say a D is pretty bad, right? If I get a D on an exam... Man!" Todd confesses with a smile. I could do nothing but shake my head at the absurdity. Maybe if he was a total nerd like Chuck he might have known. But, as is?

"Alright, so, the dog has a rank of D+, and seems to be pretty well accepted as just a normal dog, but strong. The next one is... I really have no idea how to describe it. A... a bear-sized insect called "White Death", with a rank of C+. It's tied for strongest if that-,"

"WHITE DEATH??? Holy shit, that sounds rad, dude!! I haven't heard the others, but... pick this one. Seriously. If you're not strong, I'm not bringing you with me! So, yeah, pick this one. No other explanation needed."

"Uh, alright, um. The next one is like, a moth... wait... Didn't I have the Ballgown Butterfly as a choice before-? This one is-,, Todd, man, this one is good. It'll allow me to shapeshift into any kind of humanoid!" I say, the faintest of smiles tugging at my cheeks.

"Yeah, sure, but what about combat abilities, huh?"

"It-, well, it doesn't say anything about that, but-,"

"Bwaap! No butts! It's nerf of nothing, and if you're just gonna be some shitty-ass moth, I'm not bringing you with me."

I feel like reporting with the fact that I'm actually quite strong enough now, that I could easily just fly away and pick up a life elsewhere, but... I don't. I could say that Todd has answers about this world that I don't, or... I could admit that I just like being in his company. Having someone to tell things.

"...Alright. The next one is still in the C rank, although of the C- sort. But, this one has the... Oh! I haven't even considered that yet-, how am I supposed to talk to you? I can talk to you through this body, but as a dog? No way. Even if I keep my Hijack skill, I doubt using it as a dog will work... But, this, uhh, this spider can talk."

"-Combat-?"

I glance up at Todd. All he thinks about is fighting, 'innit? Battle hungry brute. "It doesn't say much about it, but by the sounds of it, it might have some hypnotizing ability. -Then again, the blue boxes have a tendency to kind of lie, so..."

"Right right, of course. Still, it talks! More viable than the dog, I'd say," Todd says, as he said.

"Okay, last one... This one is also C+, like the White Death," I note as a sort of selling point, but it's really the only selling point I have about this guy, since I barely understand him. A quick look at Todd ensures that his eyes are, indeed, glittering. He's on the hook. "It has a lot of mana and a lot of magic. It can also take on a human form, and... trade skills with humans, somehow. Whatever that means."

Todd nods. "Right, right. So, in short, not the dog cuz it's weak and can't communicate, and you don't like the super cool one because you want to talk or something. I won't let you pick the pussy-ass bitch moth, so that leaves us with the spider and the, like, last one. Did I get that right?"

I think for a moment before answering, "yeah, guess so." Todd looks me up and down, the shine in his eyes replaced by thoughtful contemplation. Suddenly, his gaze stops right at my thought, and you can literally see the cogs turning in his head.

"-Dude. Say that last part about the last one again."

"...It can take the form of a-,"

"No, no, the very last part!"

"It can probably trade skills with humans, somehow-?" I say, a bit unsure of what he's on about. He gestures towards me in a "can't you see??" kind of way, like a conspirator trying to turn a civilian to their side.

"-Dude??"

"...?"

"Okay, fuck, I'll spell it out for you. You're inhabiting a guy who can literally give any amount of Exp for the easiest of quests. If you had that ability and gave such a quest to me, I could instantly become ridiculously powerful. If you're that last one, you can trade skills and get it."

"...Oh. Ohh. I-, are you sure? Sounds kind of... I dunno man, the blue boxes have fooled me like this before. This last one is just... hella sketchy." He shakes his head vigorously, his face stoic and determined.

"Dude, I'm telling you. If you don't pick it, I will haunt your grave, I swear," Todd casually threatens, but his tone is serious. Sure, it's my body and all, so I really shouldn't be taking his word on anything, but...

"-You're right. But what do we do about-?" I gesture to my body. He shrugs.

"Dump 'im. We'll evolve you outside the village. I'll keep watch or whatever, yeah?"

...Doesn't sound too bad. I turn to the mini-wizard, who has been staring at us all this time, pale-faced and confused.

"Mini-wizard. I don't hope for your forgiveness, however, I shall now return your master to you. Worry not, out battle was not of a dangerous kind, and he remains unharmed," I say, before quickly undocking, a thing I can now do very quickly and efficiently. My mana seems to have recovered fully, so the same can probably be said for the wizard. Speaking of the wizard, he sort of just... collapsed onto the floor. But he'll recover soon, I know that.

Todd seems confused, but I grab his attention by flying right in front of his face.

"-Shit dude, you're tiny!"

Haha, very funny, yes I am. Not my choice. I point to the door of the church, and he seems to catch my drift, since he follows me outside. Once we reach the outside, we can only just hear that "YOU DARE TRESS-," before we absolutely book it. Todd kind of sacks after, but he won't be killed if the wizard catches up.

I quickly reach the tall stump, and Todd trails after, not tired at all despite having ran for dear life just moment earlier.

"-Dude, why're you stopping?? We've gotta-" Todd doesn't have time to Finnish his sentence before the wizard stops, turns around, and walks back to the village as if nothing had happened. "Oooohh, okay, so this is the checkpoint, then? Bet we could just snipe him from here like a dark souls boss, heh."

I have no idea what he meant, but I shake my head.

"No? Hmpf, bet you just don't understand my genius!" Todd exclaims, puffing his chest out.

I don't respond. Instead, I lead him into the forest, to retread that same path I've walked many times before. "-Man, it's a good thing your butt is so bright, otherwise I might just lose track of you, heh!"

Thank you for the input.

After an eventless walk, we reach the clearing. Some of the trees have been destroyed, others have frozen solid and a few only have some singed leaves on them. "Was there a battle here?" Todd asks, and I nod. "...Don't tell me. Is this where you fought the NPC?? Damn cool!"

My face feels a bit flushed at the praise, but I try to ignore it, and just float down to sit on a little rock. Perfect. I glance up at him, and he looks down at me. Man, humans sure are huge, huh? He smiles, and I bat my wings just to show we're on the same beat.

Are you ready to (EVOLVE)?

Yes. Into the, let me see... "Moonlight Faerie". Weird name...

Your (EVOLUTION) will now commence

Right, thank you, same as-, HGHGYVC-,,

From Todd's perspective, I just kind of flopped over on the rock.