You'll start out with 500 GP; since you get a chance to check out town, go ahead and buy equipment. In this game, that can be a major priority. Exit the town, and a scene will play out, and you will get your first other PC, Teefa (plus more of the plot will be explained).

Now, if you don't like games such as DW where you need to make time for leveling up, well, you might want to skip this, but otherwise, try to stick to the entrance at first. Build up Gold and Exp. so you can gain levels, especially since Sylph will learn Lightning 1 at Rooks' Lv. 7. This will be very useful. Also, try to buy good equipment with your excess money. Honeys, though unavailable now, will be nice later on, but don't go out of your way to get the money just to buy them, nothing replaces good old fashioned levelups and equipment swapping. Anyway, as you can see, there are a few potential treasures on this level, but even that empty chest can be useful (see above). When you're ready, fight the Stone Guardian. I'd say Level 9 should set you up just fine. Since he's weak vs. Wind, have Sylph casts Change Attr. To Wind and have her cast Lightning 1 a few times. He's not too hard.

Floor 2 is much of the same, new treasures, also a "Guardian" boss, this time the Iron Guardian. As long as you gain sufficient levels you should be fine. Maybe 12 or so. Defeat him the same way as before. Anyway, a cutscene occurs, you lose Teefa, but don't worry, you keep her equipment (odd) and your Spirit's broken, so you have to get it healed, and suddenly Chapter 2 Begins.

Chapter 2