Can you please explain is it bug or not...

[kam5kan]

I started the game as Skald on normal. I am not familiar with such game(s) so it is understandable. First, i earn almost no money. It is strange but i do not receive anything after battle. Also, the leadership rises very slowly. Now, i cleared all four islands in the first campaign and my hero is still level 7. I passed all quests that can on these four islands and reached the giant spider. It is obvious that with such army defeating him is impossible. Can you please advice what is wrong? I read here that some players are at the same time of challenging him at level 17 and above. How come?