I cleared out the North Barrier. Phew, it was a pretty good dungeon. (Unfortunately, FO kind of let slip a trick for the dungeon) Aside from the trick, you have to defeat 13 set encounters in a single attempt. It took me over an hour (maybe more like 2?) to finish it all.

It earned me about 10,000 experience, but I still need considerably more to level up.

I'm not sure what to attribute my better success against the cavemen to. I don't think it's just experience level (I'm pretty sure they beat me at my current level before). Equipment may have played a small role. Perhaps better choices with magic? I've been using status magic a little more now, as opposed to purely offensive and healing magic.

"Any life when viewed from the inside is simply a series of defeats."
-Orwell