The Hellhound was smart, Drew was far smaller than it and therefore as a result, he was much more evasive to it's strikes. The Hellhound chose to receive the stab willingly so that it could strike back and deal more damage to Drew.
Right after Drew's stab, the monster countered with a vertical slash – the slash hit Drew and three vertical gashes were formed from his stomach to his chest. They were deep and Drew was hit badly.
The Cavalier staggered backward and before the Hellhound could see a chance to strike, he leapt and made distance between them.
'I was too focused on the strike,' Drew thought as blood dripped down his wounds, painting the ground below him… he reached for his pocket to bring out a Healing potion only for the Hellhound to close the distance, raising it's claws up again.