Well if I had to make a guess, you are fighting Thugs too early. Do not fight in the bar or in the room before the Guard Station on the first floor. In those 2 rooms Thugs can spawn. Only fight Goblins and Prisoners at the start to level up your character. Also while you can fight with using always the attack against the weakness of an enemy and make it through the game, it is not generally recommended, since it will spread out your stats too much. Rather pick one of the 3 attacks so you focus your Stats in either Strength, Dexterity or Agility. And if you attack, always attack with Ki. It will train the Stat Willpower that boosts the Ki damage the higher it gets, so you one shot enemies a lot.