There have only been a couple of times thus far in Octopath Traveler II where I've had to get defensive - fighting the scrappy dog in Partitio's 2nd chapter is the first time I was playing on the back foot.
I think it shows.
Perhaps it's a good sign that I shouldn't overreach and gun for some of the chapters that are slightly less leveled. I can always beat up on the dog at a later point.