William

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	William Keane
Alias(es)	Sergeant William; William
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	International Anomalous Research and Containment Association (I.A.R.C.)
Occupation/Role	Level 5 Investigator; tracker; combat specialist; Lin Jie's mission partner
First Appearance	Chapter 23

Background / History

William once worked as a porter on the docks in his youth, where he learned of the anchor-shaped “Old Captain’s Lullaby” music boxes carried by veteran sailors. This knowledge later helps identify rhythmic music as a deterrent to Gremlins. 27

He survived service in the Zulu War, an experience that left him deeply aware of the limits of conventional weapons and fearful of the unknown. His military background made him a seasoned tracker and combat veteran before he became an I.A.R.C. investigator. 23 36

Barton assigns William to Lin Jie's first official commission at the West India Docks. Initially, William treats Lin Jie as an inexperienced newcomer who must remain close to him and avoid unnecessary risks. 23 Their successful investigation of the Gremlin nest changes that assessment into respect and trust. 28 29

William personally requests to accompany Lin Jie on the Loch Ness investigation, becoming his partner again rather than merely an assigned evaluator. 35

Appearance

William is a weathered, sturdy man around forty, with a restrained military presence and a scar running from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth. 23

• Calm, deep-set eyes that are usually unreadable. 23
• Wears practical khaki hunting clothing suited for field operations. 23
• Maintains an upright posture likened to a rifle ready to fire. 23
• Carries a long-barreled Colt Single Action Army revolver in a waist holster. 23

Personality

William is concise, disciplined, and initially distrustful of unproven partners. He prioritizes stealth, situational awareness, and survival over bravado, often acting as the practical counterbalance to Lin Jie's more unconventional plans. 23 40 48

Despite his reserved nature, he is capable of adapting quickly when evidence proves another person’s competence. Once Lin Jie demonstrates his tactical value in the Gremlin nest, William follows his judgments without hesitation and openly acknowledges his talent. 28 29

His professional composure does not make him indifferent. He is visibly concerned when Lin Jie overextends his Touch of Afterimage, furious at the cultists’ cruelty toward Loch Ness’s guardian, and protective of allies who are less capable in the field. 40 42 43 50

Abilities & Skills

Tracking and Field Investigation

William is regarded as one of the I.A.R.C. London branch’s best trackers, with experience tracing targets across hostile terrain. 23

• Identifies fresh claw or metal scratches, disturbed soil, and the mixed scent of machine oil and rot at the West India Docks. 23
• Recognizes Billy’s remains from a corroded Night Watcher uniform button. 27
• Uses pub conversations and local whisky to gather eyewitness accounts from Inverness fishermen. 37
• Locates Ian MacGregor as a key Loch Ness witness through his local inquiries. 38

Marksmanship and Combat

William is an elite firearms user whose combat movements are shaped by military experience. 29

• Uses a Colt Single Action Army revolver as his standard sidearm. 23
• Wields a Winchester M1873 lever-action rifle with rapid, highly precise firing. 29
• Eliminates Gremlins by targeting their crystal lenses while Lin Jie draws them away with a music box. 29
• Remains ready to engage threats while guiding Lin Jie through confined sewers and dangerous field sites. 27 40

Stealth and Infiltration

William is especially effective in environments requiring silent movement and rapid takedowns. 45

• Moves through Urquhart Castle with near-silent footwork, using cover and shadows instinctively. 45
• Silently incapacitates two guards outside the cult’s alchemy workshop before they can raise an alarm. 45
• Climbs through overhead ventilation pipes to steal the cult’s operation journal during a diversion. 46
• Picks the journal’s copper combination lock with a metal hairpin. 46

Tactical Support

William excels at turning Lin Jie's plans into practical field operations while recognizing when direct combat is unwise. 28 31

• Secures Lin Jie's flour trap from a warehouse beam by using a steam crane. 24
• Produces steady rhythmic noise to drive and herd Gremlins toward a traceable route. 26
• Fires on command to draw Mechanical Wraiths away from their defensive position. 28
• Supports the decision to withdraw from the Gremlin nest rather than confront the Artisan Leader. 31
• Pilots the team’s steam-powered fishing boat on Loch Ness and maneuvers it through combat conditions. 40 48

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Colt Single Action Army revolver — Long-barreled, precise, and carried in a waist holster. 23
• Winchester M1873 lever-action rifle — William’s primary long-range weapon during the Gremlin-nest operation. 29
• Short blade — Used to dismantle Gremlin corpses and collect valuable claws. 30
• Modified alchemical flashbang — Produces a powerful burst of sound and light; provided to Lin Jie during the Urquhart Castle infiltration. 46
• Carbide lamp — Used while leading the team through London’s sewers. 27

Relationships

• Lin Jie — Initially assigned as Lin Jie's skeptical combat-support partner and evaluator; their West India Docks mission develops into close tactical trust and mutual respect. 23 28 35
• Barton Chris — Fellow I.A.R.C. investigator who assigns William to support and assess Lin Jie’s first commission. 23
• Marcus — Fellow I.A.R.C. investigator; Marcus identifies William as one of the London branch’s best trackers. 23
• Alistair MacDonald — Investigative ally during the Loch Ness case; William protects and works alongside him during the castle infiltration and cult operation. 42 46 50
• Ian MacGregor — William’s local investigation identifies Ian as the most important recent eyewitness to the Loch Ness entity. 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

West India Docks Investigation

William is assigned to Lin Jie's first mission because the I.A.R.C. does not yet trust Lin Jie's combat ability. He immediately establishes strict operational rules, but recognizes Lin Jie's investigative potential after the latter identifies possible entrances to Warehouse No. 3. 23

He supports Lin Jie’s anti-Gremlin trap and herding tactics, then takes point during the sewer descent. There, he identifies Billy’s remains, explains the significance of the old sailors’ music boxes, and provides the tactical support that enables the pair to bypass the Mechanical Wraiths. 24 27 28

At the Mechanical Shrine, William uses his Winchester to eliminate a lured Gremlin squad with precise shots. Afterward, he and Lin Jie gather spiritual materials and choose a controlled withdrawal over a risky fight with the Artisan Leader. 29 30 31

Loch Ness Investigation

William requests to accompany Lin Jie to Scotland and gradually opens up about the Zulu War during their northbound train journey. Their earlier professional distance becomes a mutual understanding built on shared exposure to the supernatural. 35 36

In Inverness, William gathers testimony from fishermen while Lin Jie researches historical sources. His local interviews provide the eyewitness leads and rumors needed to complement Lin Jie's archival work. 37 38

William remains cautious when Lin Jie attempts to contact the Loch Ness guardian through Alistair’s underwater cable, but ultimately respects Lin Jie’s decision and prepares for danger. He later revives Lin Jie after the ability leaves him mentally exhausted. 40 42

Urquhart Castle and the Eternal Serpent Cult

William leads the group’s stealth approach to the cult’s hidden alchemy workshop beneath Urquhart Castle. He silently removes guards, infiltrates the ventilation system, retrieves the cult’s journal, and opens its lock for Alistair to translate. 45 46

During the cult’s attempt to capture the Loch Ness guardian, William pilots the fishing boat into position so Lin Jie can use the Spellbreaker Bracer against the cult’s weapons. After the guardian destroys the cult vessels, William swims with Lin Jie to the wreckage, interrogates survivors, and helps recover the Calamity Star Tablet. 48 49 50

Notable Quotes

“Kid, you were born for this line of work.” 29

“I’ll take the lead.” 27