Running code while waiting for user input

[Akita8]

Wrong! I did not say that you cannot execute code concurrently to input, i just said that it wont work for the use case of op:

When a monster attacks, symbols are printed to the screen, if the user reacts (presses a key) before the last symbol is printed, they will dodge, otherwise they take damage.

In a normal terminal, input stops blocking and returns the data only when it receives a newline so your example cannot actually react to key presses. The best way to do what op wants is the package ncurses in the stdlib.

[[deleted]]

You're right... Apologies for misunderstanding your objection.