Been playing Outlive, and it's a fun quirky game! I've defeated two "Duelists" so far, am at Stat Level 6 and reached Green City...gotta go find a monster.
For those who are stuck, you can fast travel between cities. Travel as aimlessly as you want as you get to keep all XP when you die.
Also, in order to progress, you need to talk to people over and over in the Saloon in order to trigger boss fights.
EDIT: Wish I realized this earlier. The Back Burner item allows you to warp back to town with the money you've farmed. Seems like you can use this once only, but if you "recharge" it then you're good to go.