I don’t understand

I started this game today. Picked Arna and went out in search of the bandit camp for the first contract. Met 2 bandits on the road and killed them. Moved to the next map and came across 3 bandits at a campfire who attacked me. Killed 2 of them but the third killed me. Game over.

What am I doing wrong to die so fast and so early? The game feels really punishing, especially to a new player.