Toz did not know if Rick lost his balance as a feint, or if just regained it quickly, but he blocked Toz's sword using the handle of his mace he was holding both ends of.
Since Rick had blocked Toz's overhead strike early in its path, it was easy for Rick to push Toz back and make him stumble.
Unlike the other times when Rick got the advantage and could press the assault, Toz reacted quickly and fell into the stumble, rolling backward on the ground, increasing the distance between him and Rick.
Although Rick didn't need to catch his breath, Toz's counterattack after making him stumble had increased his alertness, and while he was being cautious and reevaluating Toz, Toz was regaining his calm and trying to figure out a way to last longer in the battle against Rick. It was becoming pretty evident that even if Rick only limited his strength to the same as a fourth level beast, he was an experienced fighter and adept at using his mace.
