I was wondering that too
EDIT: This is the third time I've died. Is there any easier way to do this?
Well, you could go to the puppy cave and beat the stuff out of monsters. When your health gets too low, book it, go to Vernis and sell your loot then go back. Wash, rinse and repeat and eventually you reach level 5. Congrats, with a decent weapon you are now capable of curb stomping anything in the first 3 levels of the puppy cave.
EDIT:

ಠ_ಠ
And not a cure in sight.