Usually that would have been fatal. Scraping the core gave them excruciating pain, but being stabbed in the core like that seems like instant death.
Talking about death, there is actually a method to kill by destroying brain with direct stab. It's called Ikejime and is said to help keep fish more fresh. Of course there's also the more savage method of blunt object to the head to knock them out.
Most fanons that have the concept of paste core are surprisingly consistent about it: damage will only retard its mental faculties. Only a full core split or removal will lead to full death.
springysmoothE... eajy~~sparkle <3springysmoothEep, it made complete recovery!? This creature is disgusting!