485 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

"Get out this instant!" A fiery command echoed thunderously in front of the main gate. "Aunt Nan Ok. Isn't it too harsh? We rushed here after hearing the news." Jeon Gil San expressed his discontent to Jang Nan Ok, the mother of the deceased Ma Yang-baek and daughter of the wealthy lord Man Geum Jeon. "I can't stand the sight of you! Or your wretched grandfather and all of you as well!" She wasn't welcoming, but the reaction was harsher than expected. As a parent whose child took their own life, she must not want to see anyone who might have influenced that. "Great Aunt." I called out to Jang Nan Ok cautiously. "Who are you calling Aunt! I never took a black-haired son-in-law!" She looked as if she might grab a broom from somewhere and beat me with it. Looks like there's no other choice but to stick with the plan. "I understand why you don't welcome me, but I thought I'd stop by out of respect for Yang Baek, who called me his brother-in-law." Do you think I came all this way just to see an aunt? It's all because I couldn't stop thinking about Yang Baek. I quickly touched on a sore subject for the bereaved by mentioning the deceased. "What? How dare a barbarian mention my son...!" Jang Nan Ok glared at me with utter disdain for the audacity, but it didn't matter. Because I immediately sought Jeon Gil San's help. "Indeed. Yang Baek originally requested a spot for a drink with his brother-in-law." Jeon Gil San chimed in just as expected. "What are you talking about?" "Aunt Nan Ok. Don't you remember? Before the results of the first test were announced. Yang Baek wanted to gather the eliminated candidates for a drink. He arranged to secretly invite me to introduce the new brother-in-law." "That... I think I vaguely recall something like that." Jang Nan Ok nodded slightly, flustered at hearing something she faintly recognized. 'A lie, nonetheless.' I was not on the guest list. It was originally just a boastful idea since he wasn't sure if he'd succeed. It was an excuse to extend a measure of courtesy from the victor to the losers. But that didn’t matter. I remembered, and Yang Baek is no longer here. Mixing lies with the truth within our statements. As long as Jeon Gil San and I corroborate each other, no one is left to verify the truth. Thus, this mixture of lies and truth becomes accepted as fact. "I, too, looked forward to having a drink with Brother Yang Baek, treating him like an older brother. I never expected to come under such circumstances." All that was left was to put on a sorrowful expression about losing a cherished brother. “Ugh…” "May I please see my brother?" I never intended to seek permission from a woman who holds such disdain for me as a foreigner in the first place. Your son wished he could see my face once more. Surely, as his mother, you wouldn't break a promise to the deceased, would you? "If you say it gently enough," Then, "...come in." The door opens, after all. -------- "You want to see Yang Baek before the enshrouding?" I inquired with polite condolence while sipping tea and broached the main subject at the right moment. "I find certain aspects suspicious and wish to examine the body." "The enshrouding isn't finished yet. He died in the water last night under great pain! Do you truly wish to witness such a sight?" Jang Nan Ok glared at me as if I’d uttered something wildly inappropriate. "Great Aunt." "Yang Baek must have been mistaken about you! How dare a black-haired person mock my son!" Family custom dictates overseeing the enshrouding as a ritual bid for the deceased's peaceful passage. Entrusting enshrouding to a servant is seen as a bad omen, let alone allowing a detested foreigner to partake. Her reaction was to be expected. "Great Aunt. Though I couldn't share drinks with him, Brother Yang Baek’s thoughtful consideration of me remains undiminished. I ought to reciprocate that sentiment." I bowed with the utmost respect. "What do you intend to do?" Hurry, Gil San. I gestured with my fingertips, prompting Jeon Gil San to speak up dramatically. "Aunt Nan Ok. Haven’t you heard of the renowned constable Kang Yoon Ho? He’s the most famous constable in Muhan!" "The renowned constable...? Now that you mention it, I believe I’ve heard the name." Jang Nan Ok muttered, belatedly realizing. "While it's the family's duty to send the deceased on without grievance, I alone am capable of thoroughly examining if he harbors any grievances." I met Jang Nan Ok’s gaze with a sincere look. "Would you act as a coroner despite not being an Oh Jak-in?" She now seemed to comprehend my intentions, her voice trembling. Oh Jak-in (Censor). In modern times it refers to a forensic position, yet this era scorned it as the handling of corpses was considered unseemly. ‘Being the renowned constable volunteering for such a lowly task,‘ As a constable, I apprehend criminals with no official status, but wielding police power. Even as the famed constable to personally handle the deceased’s body was something unthinkable. “Brother Yang Baek shouldn't depart with unaddressed grievances, right?” I said, smiling as if taking on an appropriate responsibility. "...Is there truly something you might uncover?" Momentarily startled into silence, Jang Nan Ok finally asked with trembling eyes. “I cannot claim something if it isn’t there.” I shook my head side to side. “Then why...!” I silenced her impending rebuke with an expression of certainty. “However, if I cannot find anything, I dare say that no one in Muhan can.” “...!” “Indeed, Aunt Nan Ok! Important figures line up just to catch a glimpse of him. Line up I say. Yet he set all aside and came for Brother Yang Baek.” "Is that true?" Jang Nan Ok seemed surprised by Jeon Gil San’s words and turned to me, visibly affected. “Would you please grant your permission?” There was no need to respond. "Make sure to inspect him carefully." When you approach with genuine concern for the deceased, the bereaved family tends to become more accommodating. --- "The body is inside." "It's a bit difficult for me to see my cousin's body. I'll wait here." "You can stay with Great Aunt then." Though Jeon Gil San stayed behind, somewhat uncomfortable, it suited me fine. 'The examination is just a formality, really.' Even though I boldly claimed I’d examine the body, I’m not a forensic specialist, veteran detective, or even a sleuth whose every case follows a similar pattern. 'What I want is simply to earn Great Aunt's goodwill.' Given that it was already determined a suicide, everyone had washed their hands of the incident, but the so-called renowned constable carefully inspected the body. Our nephew-in-law earnestly tried for her deceased son. Showing effort was more crucial than results. "Constable Kang. It’s an honor to meet you." Upon arriving at the room where the body was kept, a servant bowed respectfully. He was one of those who had served Ma Yang-baek during his life. "Where is Brother Yang Baek?" "He's covered with a cloth. Please have a look." I walked over slowly to the body covered under the cloth. Since it has been over two years since I fell into this world, I've grown accustomed to dealing with corpses. What matters now is just one thing. "Hmph!" As soon as I unveiled the cloth, I deliberately let my knees go weak and feigned holding back tears. "What’s wrong?" Think of something sad. Remember sad things. Like the time I saved in-game currency in my mailbox for a big purchase and, being too tired, missed the deadline and lost it all. "I secretly admired Brother Yang Baek’s robust spirit. I looked forward to the day we could share a drink as a family, but to meet like this… how can I not be overwhelmed with grief!" My currency. How much was it in cash? My grown-up's card is already at life zero. A surge of emotion swept over me. Surely, anyone would believe this act. “He was quite a stingy master, you know.” The servant, expressing discontent, responded bluntly. “...” "Oh! I-I’m sorry! I just couldn’t hold it in because of everything that happened to me. P-Please!" The moment I turned to him with a startled look, the servant suddenly realized his mistake, dropped to his knees, and pleaded. "I’ll keep your secret." Looks like the rumors about him were true. "You truly are the renowned constable!" "It would be best to be a bit light-tongued in front of Great Aunt, too." "Of course, it goes without saying that I will report back to Madam with detail about Constable Kang's efforts here today!" The servant nodded repeatedly, evidently understanding my cue. A satisfying arrangement. I then proceeded to carefully examine the body. "Was the corpse cleaned?" It's much cleaner than expected. Perhaps because it was in water. "Madam shed tears while personally cleaning the dirty areas." "That complicates things." Unexpected. "Is there a problem?" "To conduct a proper examination, it's standard to preserve the body as is. This way, most of the evidence is washed away." In this world of early science and forensics, where the concept is foreign to common folks, ensuring that the deceased is treated with dignity comes first. If anything unclean had been on the deceased, as his mother, she would have naturally cleaned it off. "I-I didn’t realize that. When I received the body, it was already somewhat cleaned, so I didn't know." Even coroners of the time would clean the corpse before sending it off; there’s no use in pointing out what they don't know. "Ah. This is a complication indeed… Oh! Please don't take that as a reproach." Though I did mean it that way. I was trying so hard to investigate, but alas, the body is too clean to find evidence. But surely you'll understand my earnest effort, right? I slyly dropped the hint. “What do we do now... Ah! Would you like to see the report written by the coroner?” “The coroner’s report?” “Yes, the document from the one who confirmed the death as suicide. Please take a look.” Is it similar to a death certificate? I scanned the papers the servant handed over. "Ma Yang-baek. Cause of death: Drowning. Time of death: Last night. No visible signs of trauma. Presence of water in the stomach. Traces of foam at the mouth and nose. Dirt found on hands. Suicide presumed." "We didn’t dismiss any possibility when the young master, who had vanished, was found dead. However, the evidence was so clear-cut, not to mention overabundant motives..." "Indeed, there are no signs of a struggle or external injuries." The report aligns with the water found in the abdomen and no visible bruises. "It seems best to conclude the funeral promptly for Madam’s sake." "In any case, I’ll examine as thoroughly as possible." I dismissed the servant and began to carefully inspect the body. Of course, regardless of how diligently I inspect the body, nothing would change. Still, the time spent meticulously examining would ultimately demonstrate how deeply committed I was to Ma Yang-baek. 'It does look like a suicide after all.' Was it that disappointment after a month led him to jump? 'Perhaps I’ll need to use an effective failure strategy.' Among a professional's bag of tricks: I, our team, did our utmost, but fate unjustly conspired against us. In Ma Yang-baek's case, finding evidence that suggests accidental death would be ideal. If it truly were a suicide, he’d at least have had a drink. Then I’d impart my findings to Jang Nan Ok. It seems more like an accidental death than a leap from despair. Unfortunately, most evidence vanished due to other circumstances, making confirmation difficult. Credit the success to me; blame the failure on factors beyond my control. My earnestness could win their hearts. Plus, with their loved one now gone, holding onto resentment toward the living family wouldn't align with what Brother Yang Baek would’ve wanted. I’d express concern, wearing a pained yet compassionate expression. This was the best I could do for now. ‘Just because I like mystery novels doesn't make me an incredible detective.’ I'm a web novel writer who enjoys mysteries, not a detective. Loving mystery stories since childhood doesn’t suddenly make me a genius detective. While I can't say I didn't contribute to my reputation as the renowned constable, much of it was due to well-crafted deceptions and the assistance of others. As someone called the renowned constable, all I can really do is mimic. I could try to immerse myself by imagining I’m the culprit, or entertain the possibility of a trick. Approaching it as one would in a mystery novel—those are about the extent of my methods. “What?!” Mystery? Wait a moment. Could it be? I hastily examined the body. “Is something the matter?” “Please summon Miss Je Gal Hyang to my house immediately.” I said this while handling the body. If my suspicion is correct— “You mean Miss Je Gal Hyang? What’s the issue?” “Hurry and call her!” “Yes! Understood!” As I suspected. ‘This is a murder.’