[Vol 2] Fall of Saipan
Saipan Island becomes a strategic battleground as the Japanese imperial army fights desperately to maintain control due to its proximity to Japan. Despite their determination to hold on, the island ultimately falls to the American forces, leading many Japanese soldiers and civilians to choose suicide. Harim, however, provides valuable information that helps the American troops land on Saipan with minimal casualties, resulting in the successful securing of the island. As a prisoner of war, Harim reunites with Yeok at the POW camp.
During the POW interrogations, Harim discloses the existence of Japanese germ labs, but the American interrogators initially overlook this crucial information. Nevertheless, Harim’s linguistic abilities in English, Japanese, and Korean prove valuable as he assists in the interpretation between the Japanese and Korean prisoners.
Eventually, a team from the OSS discovers evidence of Japanese germ warfare in the hospital’s basement ruins, attributing Harim’s contributions to the successful landing in Saipan. As a result, Commander Nimitz awards him reward money and a letter of appreciation, and Harim’s civilian status is restored.
Major Arti, an intelligence officer of Jewish origin from the OSS, feels a strong connection with Harim due to their shared experiences of their countries being torn apart. Arti emotionally recounts the atrocities committed by the Nazis against Jewish people in Europe. Then, determined to fight for their respective nations, the two men embrace, and Arti offers Harim a job working for Korea’s independence in China. The OSS has secretly supported the Korean provisional government in China, but suspicions arise regarding certain factions backed by the Communist Soviets and China.
OSS identifies divergent factions within the independence movement, particularly those aligned with the Communist Soviets and China. These factions draw close attention from Arti and his team. Meanwhile, in a twist of fate, Daechi is saved from death by Ki-moon, an undercover agent for Mao’s Eighth Route Army and Chang Kai-shek’s National Revolutionary Army member.
Ki-moon entrusts Daechi with a mission to assassinate a pro-America Korean leader within the provisional government. To gain the target’s trust, Daechi uses Hongchul Yoon, a senior leader who happens to be Yeok’s father. By revealing the fate of Yeok and their engagement, Daechi successfully earns Hongchul’s confidence, allowing him to carry out the assassination before disappearing.
Meanwhile, Yeok gives birth to a healthy baby, and after recovering, Arti convinces her to join OSS operations in China with the promise of finding her long-lost father, Hongchul. As their journey continues, the stakes rise as they navigate complex political alliances and fight for their countries independence.
