I feel our MC is going to active his hidden skill "Plot Armor," manage to hold off long enough for backup to arrive, saving his love interest from betting crippled, and winning her everlasting love. Then he gets his reward of being nursed by hands from his love interest while he recovers from his minor injuries and exhaustion and gain a boost in his rep.
That or the looming shadow was just your friendly neighborhood gruff woodman/hunter that just happen to be in the area and will safely lead the girl safely out of the woods. While the MC will run into the hoard of mobs and gets beaten half to death before backup arrived but luckily doesn't get maimed so badly that he gets crippled. But hopefully will spot some cool manly scars that will cause women to do a complete 180 and instead of being disgusted by his presence and will swoon instead.