i have to admit it wasn't the game's fault
i was about to fight that boss, but before i found a save point. each save point has a white-tailed lizard. kill the lizard (or be a freaking sniper and hit him with the bow on the tail) and eat the tail to get some stamina.
i spent 10 minutes hunting the thing, then i gave up and decided to save. the character sits down to do the save thing and the lizard passes by behind me. i quickly make him stand up and slash the lizard.
i tried to show my friend how i just did that, and the result... well... it hurts...