I love this game because most of the time when you try to grind the final boss you have to watch AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL of the credits and then go back to the game, but in this game you can just skip everything and replay the level, Happy Grinding Everyone!
When I went into the woods no guard I think "so what" I enter the room and find two corpses and the soundtrack, and see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. NO LIE! (so scary I wanted to rush to my moms room!)
Transmute the ruby longsword and get the best shield, rings, clothes, and helmet you can then enchant you boots with all you have got. Use that to grind money then go on a run for potions (you can buy then from shops (thats what the money was for)) transmute them then skip to the boss and HEAL UP!