A sequence break is possible in the first level to avoid collecting the sword to fight the guard at the exit with, as follows:

Move down, then right from your starting position to meet the guard. Stand at the left edge of the screen, facing away and let the guard come as close as possible without him attacking you.

Run left. If you let the guard get close enough, he'll chase you into the next room. Run to the left wall and wait for the guard to approach. When he is roughly at the location of the torch on the wall, climb up and go left into the next room.

One of the ceiling panels above you is loose. Tap the ceiling to make it fall down and climb up through the opening.

Climb up as far as you can and leave the room through the exit on the top right. You are now back in the starting room. Climb down again. You are back where you left the guard, but now you are to his right.

Quickly dash to the right, not stopping until you reach the door. The guard will be far enough behind that he will not follow. Exit the level. In level 2, you'll automatically have the sword even though you never collected it.