Even if Nicolas did have some confidence towards winning, there was always a large risk towards exposing his face and other features that could be used to figure out his identity.
If he was that backed into a corner then it was even more likely that he would end up with human blood on his hands in order to protect himself from being caught and identified.
All he could do was run or give up in his current crisis by using whatever was available to him.
He was still too fearful to look back behind him but his mind started to adapt to what was in front of him and within his range of view.
His feet kept hitting off the ground causing dull thuds and slapping which were accompanied by his panting and wheezing.
Some clattering sounds came from within the bag on his back which came from the unsecured items that were knocked around and colliding with the others once he had made larger movements that shook the bag up.
