diff --git a/src/game.rs b/src/game.rs
index ce07c88..e755617 100644
--- a/src/game.rs
+++ b/src/game.rs
@@ -43,8 +43,6 @@ impl Game {
         g
     }
 
-    /// returns true if the player is dead (life <= 0)
-    fn player_is_dead(&self) -> bool { self.get_player().get_life() <= 0 }
     /// returns true if the player is standing on the End element
     fn player_reached_goal(&mut self) -> bool {
         match self.next_element(0, 0) {
@@ -60,7 +58,7 @@ impl Game {
     }
     /// returns the state of the game (depending on player's life and position)
     pub fn get_game_state(&mut self) -> GameState {
-        if self.player_is_dead() {
+        if self.player.is_dead() {
             return GameState::LOST;
         }
         if self.player_reached_goal() {
diff --git a/src/level.rs b/src/level.rs
index a83caf6..eb07dcd 100644
--- a/src/level.rs
+++ b/src/level.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 use std::cmp::{max, min};
 
+use rand::Rng;
+use rand::rngs::ThreadRng;
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 use crate::artifacts::{Chest, Potion};
 use crate::artifacts::Artifact;
@@ -9,8 +12,6 @@ use crate::monster::Monster;
 use crate::player::Player;
 use crate::position::HasPosition;
 use crate::position::Position;
-use rand::Rng;
-use rand::rngs::ThreadRng;
 
 pub const LEVEL_WIDTH: usize = 50;
 pub const LEVEL_HEIGHT: usize = 25;
@@ -118,13 +119,10 @@ impl Level {
                 break;
             }
         }
-        for (index, m) in &mut self.monsters.iter().enumerate() {
-            if m.is_dead() {
-                self.monsters.remove(index);
-                break;
-            }
-        }
         for index in 0..self.monsters.len() {
+            if self.monsters[index].is_dead() {
+                continue;
+            }
             if ticks % self.monsters[index].get_ticks_between_steps() != 0 {
                 continue;
             }
@@ -142,11 +140,21 @@ impl Level {
                     if player.get_immutable_position().get_x() == new_x && player.get_immutable_position().get_y() == new_y {
                         self.monsters[index].decrease_life(1);
                         player.change_life(-1);
+                        // if the attack did not kill the opponent, back down
+                        if !player.is_dead() {
+                            self.monsters[index].get_position().change(-dx, -dy);
+                        }
                     }
                     break;
                 }
             }
         }
+        for (index, m) in &mut self.monsters.iter().enumerate() {
+            if m.is_dead() {
+                self.monsters.remove(index);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     pub fn can_monster_move(&self, agent: &dyn Monster, dx: i16, dy: i16) -> bool {
@@ -154,7 +162,7 @@ impl Level {
         let new_x: usize = (agent_pos.get_x() as i16 + dx) as usize;
         let new_y: usize = (agent_pos.get_y() as i16 + dy) as usize;
 
-        if new_x < 0 || new_y < 0 || new_x >= LEVEL_WIDTH || new_y >= LEVEL_HEIGHT {
+        if new_x >= LEVEL_WIDTH || new_y >= LEVEL_HEIGHT {
             return false;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/player.rs b/src/player.rs
index 2efd421..63338ff 100644
--- a/src/player.rs
+++ b/src/player.rs
@@ -28,9 +28,11 @@ impl Player {
     pub fn change_life(&mut self, by: i16) {
         self.life = max(0, min(self.max_life, self.life + by));
     }
+    /// returns true if the player is dead (life <= 0)
     pub fn get_life(&self) -> i16 {
         self.life
     }
+    pub fn is_dead(&self) -> bool { self.life <= 0 }
     pub fn get_max_life(&self) -> i16 {
         self.max_life
     }