Bab 23: The one second
The one second.
This was something that knights, magi, and even common people could experience. In very stressful and important decision, their thinking would suddenly clarify and they would make decisions that would have been impossible to make almost instantly. Time would slow down, and the fog in your brain would disappear...for a moment, that is.
Going to the plains of death had been a difficult decision. It was no secret that countless acolytes had died in an attempt to cross it over the years. Wild beasts such as dire wolves, gnolls and sky eagles travelled in huge packs.
However, it was not like there was a safer path to the dwarven mountains. In fact, one of the reasons why the dwarves had not been enslaved by the Ivory Tower or Naarth Island's Count was partly due to their geographical location. Hidden in their mountains, they were living independently, and thus, they were protected by the creatures surrounding them. It was pretty much impossible for an army to cross the plains of deaths unharmed, not to mention the Forbidden Forest.
To acolytes, the forbidden forest was a much better place to cross in comparison to the plains of death. Although there were magical creatures in the forbidden forest, acolytes could deal with them with spells. Dealing with hundreds of wild beasts was much more difficult for acolytes, for they had high firepower but limited mana pools.
Arthur was different, for he was a body refinement acolyte. His strength lied in his stamina and incredibly resistant body. Venimous snakes that could be found in the plains of deaths were snacks to him. Even if he was bitten, he would only suffer from a minor infection. His companions were different. A single bite would most likely result in death, which was part of the reason why both Karl and John opposed his decisions as a leader.
Arthur didn't plan on killing Karl originally. He was an asset to this mission. Be it his experience, his skills or his knowledge, they were all top-notch. Even if Arthur completed patrolling missions for three years, his skills were far below that of the old man Karl. Although Arthur might be stronger combat-wise due to his body having been refined past the human limits, Karl had gone through hundreds of large-scale battles in the kingdom before returning to the Ivory Tower. This was not something that could be caught up to in a few hundred patrolling missions.
Still, an acolyte could not cast spell while in pain. Casting a spell requires utmost concentration and fortitude. Doing so successfully in peak condition was not a given thing. Doing so while in pain was almost impossible, not to mention with a chopped arm with little treatment besides a bandage and first-aid ointments.
That's how Karl ended up as a burden.
Going back to the Ivory Tower was not an option either. Arthur needed magic crystals, and the reward for this mission was a staggering 10 magic crystals. Such rewards for a mission where he was unlikely to encounter magical creatures was unprecedented. It was a golden opportunity, and there was no way Arthur would give up on it.
There was another motive for murdering Karl, and that was status.
Karl was one of the strongest acolytes in the Law Enforcement Faction. Besides Dorian who was an intermediate-rank acolyte, only Gale and Karl could be called 'strong'. Gale was the expert hunting dog of the Law Enforcement Faction, while Karl was more of a strategist. Their combat skills were still impressive.
By killing Karl, Arthur would weaken the faction as a whole. However, he would also rise in status with his future contributions as a position of power would be emptied.
Even when disregarding the incredible EXP gain, just the rise in status made the act of cruelty quite worth it.
'Evangeline only saw me giving water to a bedridden and thirsty old man with life-threatening injuries...There is no way she would suspect anything...', Arthur analysed as his killing intent flared up before calming right away, 'Still, I will have to make her indebted to me. John is opposing me a lot, but returning to the Ivory Tower with two dead bodies would be too much. I need to make him indebted to me as well...Should I create a life-threatening situation?'
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Eggcellent
Eggcellent Poisining visibly raised some doubts in you.
Yes, the MC will become evil.
Yes, his actions will resemble that of villains.
However, his actions will always be driven by his greed and thirst for power. Sometimes, he will also accomplish righteous feats. Not because he is a saint, or a good man with morals, but because it benefits him. As you can see, he has already become a monster.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone