In padded armor you don't even need a weapon or shield to take out 0-1 star fulling or deathsquitos. With a 50 unarmed skill (probably less as well), you can kill a deathsquito in one punch, and not even take any damage if you time it right. A 0 start fulling takes a 1-2 punch. Maybe 3 with a 1*.

With a black iron sword/sheild, it's no contest. Most of the time you can just step up to them when they're doing their running around before they attack, and kill them before they can even turn towards you. Wost case, parry with the sword, followed by one swing of the sword and it's over.

A dozen fulings is a different story. I faced that last night and won, but most should probably just run if that happens. You can mow them down pretty quick with a black iron sword, but even with bonemass ability, you're going to get pounded pretty hard while doing it!

Eat better food, and practice your melee on easier stuff until you get the timing right.

Archery is great, but you're likely going to have to melee at some point, or be a very good runner.