The transformation was not merely a visual illusion.
The model, color, material, sole height, even the smallest details such as metal buckles, side zippers, ankle guards, or decorative stitching patterns could all be manifested—so long as they remained within the functional boundaries of footwear.
Tall boots that covered the calves, cushioned sports shoes, open sandals suited for a casual atmosphere, even the questionable combination of sandals and socks—everything could be created as long as the user's imagination was clear and their focus did not waver.
The size adjusted automatically to the wearer's feet. There was no tightness, no pressure that restricted blood flow. The texture followed the perception envisioned in the mind.
If the sole was visualized as thick and heavy, each step would feel grounded, as though standing upon a solid foundation. If imagined light and flexible, the movement of the feet would become nimble, almost soundless.
However, I deliberately limited its durability. Its resilience was equivalent to ordinary footwear according to the material being visualized.
There was no enhancement to physical strength, no hidden defensive effect, no increase in speed. This was not a combat tool. It was a tool for disguise.
Like the previous two tools, its duration was limited to one hour from the moment of first activation. Once the time expired, the form of the shoes or sandals would gradually fade, their edges blurring like a shadow losing its light, before reverting to a plain, inconspicuous pair of white socks.
If the user wished to stop earlier, they simply needed to tap the tips of both big toes together five times until they touched. The mechanism was simple, yet specific enough to prevent accidental cancellation.
Even so, a one-hour cooldown period still applied before it could be used again.
[Name of Cursed Tool: Shapeshifting Footwear]
[Type: Active]
[Function: 1. In its base form, this Cursed Tool appears as nothing more than a pair of plain white ankle socks, without patterns, symbols, or visible marks of a curse. However, when Cursed Energy is channeled into them, the fibers of the fabric react and reconstruct their physical structure, allowing the user to transform them into various types of footwear according to imagination. Thin sandals, polished formal shoes, cushioned athletic shoes, tall boots that cover the calves, even layered combinations such as sandals worn over socks—all can be manifested, provided they remain within the functional limits of footwear.]
[2. The transformation is not limited to basic shape. The model, color, material, height and thickness of the sole, as well as additional details such as laces, buckles, zippers, ankle guards, or stitching patterns can be realized with high precision. The resulting footwear will automatically adjust to the user's foot size upon completion of the first transformation, creating a natural fit without tightness or looseness. No manual adjustment is required; Cursed Energy reads the structure of the foot and distributes pressure evenly.]
[3. The texture and sensation underfoot follow the user's mental image. If the sole is imagined thick and heavy, each step carries realistic weight and firmness. If imagined light and flexible, foot movements become agile and nearly silent. Nevertheless, durability remains equal to ordinary footwear according to the material visualized. There is no defensive enhancement, no physical reinforcement, and no hidden abilities beyond disguise and comfort.]
[Rules: 1. Maximum usage duration is one hour from initial activation. Once the time expires, the footwear's form will gradually fade and automatically return to its original state as plain white socks.]
[2. The user may deactivate it early by tapping the tips of both big toes together five times until they make contact. Afterward, the transformation will unravel and revert to socks.]
[3. Once deactivated—whether due to time expiration or manual cancellation—this Cursed Tool requires a one-hour cooldown before it can be used again. The transformation cannot create hidden weapons, secret compartments, or any object separate from the functional purpose of footwear.]
With the completion of this third Cursed Tool, my chain of disguises finally felt truly whole. No detail was left unattended. From the top of my head to the tips of my feet, everything was now under my control.
On the tenth day since I reunited with Mei Mei, I decided to test all three Cursed Tools at the same time.
The Thousand-Faced Mask reshaped my features into a new face with a firm jawline and sharper cheekbones. My gaze turned calm, more mature, as though it carried the weight of long, unspoken experiences. My body grew slightly taller than its original form, my shoulders broader, my posture straighter and more assured.
The Shapeshifting Garment adjusted into a simple yet neat suit—a clean-cut blazer without any striking patterns, a neutral shirt that wasn't excessive, and trousers that fell straight along my legs with precise tailoring.
Meanwhile, the Shapeshifting Footwear formed into polished black formal shoes, their sturdy soles firm beneath me and their tips gleaming subtly under the light.
I stood in the middle of a forest, far from the main road. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, slipping between clusters of leaves and casting shifting patterns across the ground. In my hand, a small mirror reflected the unfamiliar figure I had just created. The wind carried the scent of damp earth and crushed leaves, brushing against the suit that now wrapped around my body as if it had always belonged there.
Why the forest?
Because a transformation like this could not be done carelessly. If I were to do it in a public restroom, someone might see a young boy enter one of the stalls… and a grown man walk out minutes later. The world might be filled with strange things, but not everyone is prepared to accept strangeness unfolding right before their eyes.
Here, only the trees stood as witnesses.
The figure staring back at me from the mirror was no longer myself. There was no trace of my former face, no hint of the eyes that once carried the quiet resignation of an orphan. What I saw instead was a grown man with a controlled expression and a clear sense of purpose.
I slipped the mirror into my pocket, then picked up a small bag I had bought from an ordinary shop the day before. It was simple, made of dark fabric without any noticeable logo. I placed the money inside neatly—an amount large enough to matter, yet not excessive enough to arouse suspicion. I closed the zipper slowly, making sure everything was secured in place.
Then I stepped out of the forest and headed toward the main road.
Each step felt solid. The black shoes struck the pavement with a steady, muted sound. The soles felt firm, lending confidence to every stride. There was nothing strange, nothing suspicious.
That day, I did not go as myself.
I went as someone who had come to make a donation—an anonymous benefactor with a simple, sincere intention.
Not as the orphan boy who once lived in that orphanage.
...
...
...
When I finally arrived at the orphanage, my steps slowed without me realizing it, as though each footprint was being tugged back by invisible memories.
The iron gate, its white paint beginning to peel, still stood firmly as it had before, though a thin layer of rust had crept along its hinges. When the wind blew gently, it let out a faint creak that sounded painfully familiar to my ears.
The wide yard beyond remained unchanged—hard, brown earth stretched across most of it, with patches of thin grass growing unevenly, forming pale green stains beneath the midday sun.
Several small children ran barefoot across the ground, their feet kicking up fine dust that drifted through the air. Their laughter rang clear and bright, blending with the rusty squeak of the old swing in the corner of the yard as it moved back and forth. A little girl pushed her friend from behind, while two boys chased each other with flushed faces, their expressions glowing with heat and joy.
When they noticed my presence near the gate, the game gradually slowed, like music abruptly brought to a halt.
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