that would likely be the first mistake. As i erecall, indulging the compulsions can spiral, but it is how you are meant to level up for lack of a better word, You can't gerind levels really because the actual levels are kind of pointless, most stats come from giving in to the vices. Second, you're not wrong about the arena, it is balls hard. A lot of the game gets unfairly tough in places. The only thing i can suggest if you try again is to save your potions for the arena. If you are at any point <= 200 hp during the fight, heal. because the potions heal less than the damage you take. also, some of it rng. Sometimes he will use different attack patterns, sometimes he will miss. That being said, you fight 4 battles in a row, at no point do you get to rest and recover between them, so sell anything you don't need and buy the potions because you are going to bloody need it. It is winnable, i have done it. It's is just needlessly difficult for such an early point in the game.
