Try to sneak up on it

You think about it. You didn't see the thumper's eyes, and it hasn't turned to face you, so what if it's blind? You might be able to sneak up on it if you can move quietly enough.

⚀⚃ + 1 (Care) = 6

You slowly creep towards the thumper, and think you're doing pretty well, but when you've almost reached it, it whirls, one massive arm careening at your left side where you're holding your shield.

⚁⚀ + 2 (Physical) -1 (Surprise) = 4

You try to dodge, but you can't move out of the way in time, and the massive fist crashes into you, sending you into the air. You bounce off the ground a few meters away, and finally land, coughing and in pain in a crumpled heap. You're bleeding, your sword and shield are out of your hands, and you think your left arm might be broken. Coughing, you turn your head enough to see the thumper approach, arms raised and ready to finish you off.

⚂⚃ + 2 (Physical) - 3 (Injuries)

You try to push yourself up and roll out of the way, but your arm collapses under you, and as you lie in the dirt, the thumper brings down its arms to the roar of the crowd.

You wake up. There's a man in front of you. "Not a great showing," he says, "Even for your first time."

"What?" You stutter, "I'm alive?"

"Oh, of course, you don't know. You see, fights to the death are so much more popular, but you don't want to lose all your fighters, so at The Arena, we have ways to make sure that after the fight, everyone ends up good as new."

You flex your left arm, and don't even feel a twinge of pain. "Why didn't you tell me before hand?"

"Well, you probably wouldn't have fought as well without the fear. Besides, you only get to have one fight before you find out the truth, why not savor that thrill of a life or death battle while you can, eh? How did you like it?"