Fun and challenging, but broken too

I really enjoy this game and how difficult it is. I do have a problem with it requiring you to die.
Yes, defectors are very hard early on but I challenged myself to be strong enough to kill them endlessly without dying. They literally hit me with every step and cant kill me (Ive killed 40 in a row) but the game doesnt let me access landmarks until I let them kill me so I cant continue. Even the swamp turns grey.

If you require death, then make defectors one shot you by the 5th one instead of how its currently set where I have to just watch it kill me.

Eickbar about The Ensign