Where should I be right now?

[Metaspark]

I just hit level 22 and cleared Oonaobi Shrine. Didn't have much trouble with the dungeon itself (although I'm having to rely more on my Bow than I like...) but the boss took all 3 of my revives to just barely scrape by

I've tried grinding at Byakkou Cave Hell, but it seems really inefficient solo, and if I manage to actually find a group (most people are asking for, at the lowest, 25+) it seems like the entire group struggles just to make it through at all, let alone with 3 revives intact

I'm also having difficulties finding weapon upgrades. At the moment I'm stuck with an Artemis bow that's low grade and only has 2 melee skills and backstep, and an alright grade Balmung with even worse abilities. Any weapon I have that's actually half decent requires, at the lowest, level 24

I've been trying to save my exp boosts for higher levels, though. Would this be a good time to use some of them or just keep saving them for later?

[Jung]

If you plan using 0 cash shop, a few of those 100% EXP up in some Kyoto dungeons will make you skyrocket. For now, try to move on or grind without them.

[OminousClouds]

For your weapon and skills problems I would like to direct you to this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3281

For your leveling problems I would like to direct you to this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3108

[Metaspark]

White weapons, eh...? I'd always been chunking them into enhancement or just selling then when they filled up too much...always figured they were worthless compared to rarer weapons

As for the leveling topic, I've looked at that one, but as I said any group that will actually take someone at my level into Byakkou Hell tends to have trouble just making it through the dungeon, let alone surviving with all the revives intact, and soloing it just seems inefficient with the time it takes vs the exp reward

[Masquerade]

I have an Artemis bow, but the skills suck and I have it at +40. It does significantly less damage than my +30 Fuedou (I think) bow as it has much better skills. Your best bet is to go by a bow that has awesome skills and decent grade rather than just how rare it is.

[Akirro]

As mentioned, dont bother with "iconed" weapons blue/red/gold in lower levels, it's just a plain gold sink. I learned that the hard way aswell, way better to just get a plain and get it to +50 with decent skills. While smelting it you can use the "Change skill" and "Skill evolution V" to make sure you have semi decent skills.

As for Bya hell - a very good idea would be grabbing a staff with heal / invigorate, and simply run as a "support" to higher level players. When i run i'll gladly take in lower lvl people, especially if they have invigorate, as it makes it easier for all of us.

[Metaspark]

found a nice group of folks who jumped me up to about 24 1/2 just before maintenance hit

also managed to boost a Heavy Rattan Bow to +40, with White Peacock III on it. Doesn't do a whole lot, but at least now I feel slightly less useless than I did before...

also, I'm still a bit confused on upgrading skills with Momotarou. I've advanced his affection a bit, yet there are some skills I still can't rank up even if they are at rank I (yes I've gotten them to level 10 beforehand)

[Akirro]

Only certain skills on certain weapons are evolveable.
To check if your weapon is able, go to momo, check the "Only show evoulution weapons" or what ever the check mark thing is called. Find your weapon and click it - you'll now see the skills on the right hand side, if your skill have several "borders" its eligible for upgrade, and if not, then bad luck.

But as i already mentioned, when you smelt your weapon, use the artisan option "Skill evolution V" as it will raise a random skill on the weapon to V.