Will's journey begins with the stark realities of orphanage life, where his quick wit and pragmatic nature are already evident. His initial hunt with Ben, securing common Sacrifices like the Jumper and the Wetlands Gulper, underscores the mundane dangers of the Tower's lower floors. The pivotal turning point, however, arrives with the acquisition of the elusive Will-o-wisp, facilitated by the seemingly helpful Climber party led by Kyle. This encounter, presented as an opportunity, swiftly devolves into a calculated betrayal. Ben, succumbing to avarice, delivers a brutal kick, propelling Will into the Class Trial room devoid of his vital Sacrifices. Trapped in the pristine white cube, facing a slow, agonizing death by dehydration, Will's paranoia, a trait often dismissed as a flaw, becomes his salvation. He deduces the Climbers' intentions, realizing the Uru Drake scale he secretly carries was their true target. In a desperate, self-mutilating act, Will sacrifices his left hand, a gruesome offering that shocks the System and grants him the unique Resourceful Climber Class. This moment fuses progression fantasy with body horror, establishing Will's character as an unparalleled survivor whose cunning and sheer force of will transcend conventional power acquisition. His first steps into the Trial, missing a hand but imbued with potent, if unconventional, abilities, mark him as a new breed of Climber—one who pays a personal, bloody price for every inch of progress.

Emerging from the Trial as a Level 1 Resourceful Climber, Will immediately leverages his unique abilities: Aspect of the Immortal Serpent for enhanced mobility and healing, and Phantom Hand for versatile utility. His encounter with Silverdeath, a metallic slime raid boss, showcases his burgeoning tactical genius. He outmaneuvers the seemingly unkillable foe, using his understanding of its weaknesses and the environment to expose it to Badur's preservation abilities, securing an unprecedented haul of Sacrifices. This victory not only propels him to Level 35 but also establishes his reputation, albeit one rooted in strategic ruthlessness. The subsequent visit to Mark Wyrd's Stronghold reveals the insidious nature of Charm Archetypes, as Amanda Akul, Mark's wife, is revealed to be under the influence of a mind-controller named Jasper. Will's brutal, yet logical, intervention to "cure" Amanda, despite her furious resistance, highlights his willingness to make difficult, morally ambiguous decisions for the greater good of his burgeoning organization. This period solidifies Will's transition from a lone survivor to a nascent Lord, navigating complex social and magical landscapes, and showcasing his ability to manipulate not just the battlefield, but the very minds of his opponents.

Will's strategic evolution continues under the tutelage of Lord Bakton, who teaches him the "language of combat"—a nuanced understanding of intentions and actions in battle, amplified by the 9th Floor's Debt system. This training culminates in a spectacular, bare-knuckle fight against Sammohan Cleophas, a powerful bandit leader. Stripped of his Set, Will demonstrates his raw skill and tactical insight, using the arena's environment and his mastery of combat "language" to dismantle Sammohan's spirit, not just his body. This public defeat forces Sammohan's crew into an alliance, showcasing Will's ability to turn enemies into assets. Simultaneously, Will confronts the enigmatic Fae Lords. His calculated, almost theatrical, encounters with Onacona and Mordaine—using wit, engineered "accidents," and strategic displays of power—demonstrate his growing mastery of the 9th Floor's social and magical intricacies. He leverages the Floor's binding verbal agreements and the Fae's pride to secure information and alliances, setting the stage for a confrontation with Kincaid, the Fae Lord responsible for Eolande's capture. This phase is a masterclass in strategic improvisation and psychological warfare, cementing Will's reputation as a formidable, unconventional leader.

As Will's power grows, so does his understanding of the Tower's deeper mysteries. Reese, the immortal sailor, reveals the cyclical nature of the "Coils"—millennial cataclysms that reshape the Tower and its inhabitants. Will learns of his own role as the "Harbinger," a legendary figure whose rise heralds the Coil's end and a prophesied death around the 50th Floor. This revelation casts a grim shadow over his ambitions, forcing him to confront not just immediate threats but existential ones. Simultaneously, Will's leadership responsibilities expand dramatically. He grapples with managing his diverse caravan, from the loyal but sometimes naive Jason, to the recovering Jean and her volatile fragments (Anna, Bee, Ria), and the pragmatic Loth. His decisions, like power-leveling Badur or navigating the moral complexities of the Fae's Debt system, are increasingly weighed against the well-being of his people and the impending Coil. The capture of Eolande by Kincaid forces Will into a high-stakes gamble: delay the rescue to achieve a Lordship and return with overwhelming power, rather than risk everyone in a premature assault. This period marks Will's full embrace of the burdens of leadership, his strategic mind constantly balancing immediate survival with the long-term goal of establishing a safe haven for his people against the encroaching chaos of the Tower's grand design.