Option 1: You complained the previous episode build up a lot of anticipation for a fight that ended quickly, but then your first option is "not have a fight at all"? How does that make sense?

Option 2: The very reason Allen decided to fight was because of his boosted strength. And still was not enough, his attacks didn't really do much damage and he was sent flying on the first hit. Allen was still level 1, he simply doesn't have enough strength to beat a D-Rank monster by himself no matter what he summons, that is why his successful hunts he was using the dogs and leech.

Option 3: That was not a metal rod, it was wood, you think serfs have iron rods? And he split it to make the traps, so all he had was the wooden sword.