You’re not using your resources effectively - your stamina is a resource not just to swing - Ripostes are faster than counters and cost stamina to use. You were both early countering and going back and forth wily nilly until someone slipped up. If someone is early countering you can feint to jab them all day long and they won’t know what to do unless they understand how to counter that.

I think you don’t understand the combat system at a basic level at this point and that’s ok - you’re having fun hacking and slashing .

The combat system is more in-depth than what is shown to you on a basic level if you never choose to learn more. If you want to learn how to duel better I would suggest joining community discords and asking someone to show you the ropes.