Hippopede and Level 9

[josh_dog2]

I was at level 9 during a game tonight and drew the Hippopede monster (Level 20). It states that "If you successfully run away, go up a level." During the fight it was leveled up beyond my combat points forcing me to attempt to run away. However, if I were to successfully run away I would gain a level. The rules state (with a few exceptions) that you cannot gain the winning level unless you defeat a monster. Also you it has been stated that no player can refuse to take a level. In this scenario, would I have been forced to suffer the bad stuff (death in this case), since any successful run away attempt would have put me at level 10?