I have confronted an attacker in my imagination, not in reality. (Para.5)
Meaning: I have imagined an encounter with an attacker.
confront: vt. 1. face or meet an enemy, difficulty, etc.
People who confront their difficulties bravely are people who face their difficulties bravely and try to succeed despite them. 所谓勇于面对困难的人是指勇于面对困难并努力取得成功的人。
2. make someone face or consider someone or something unpleasant, difficult, etc.
The political official is confronted with much negative reaction from the people. 那位政客面对来自人民的反对很尴尬。
imagination: n. something that is caused only by your mind, and does not exist or did not happen in the physical world; only existing or happening in your mind, not in physical life想象力, 想象的事物
The artist is rich in imagination. 那位艺术家想象力很丰富。
in imagination: out of one's thinking or mind, not physical
in reality: real or true to the fact, the physical world
What he described exists only in imagination but not in reality. 他所描绘的只是想象，而不是现实。