I just hit level 18 today...

Congrats on reaching level 18! As the required EXP increases with each level, consistency is more important than rushing. It won't be easy until level 24, but keep pushing, hmm!

Whoa, you hit level 18 in just one day? Damn... I'm still at level 9 in the Cathedral ㅜ

It was tough just getting to level 8 ㅠㅠ It wasn't fun either, so I just stopped after getting that far..

Just to the pure cathedral alone would take over a week, usually people reach level 11, or if they push it, level 18.

When I first started and didn't know much, I played without a guild and wasted two days. If you log in frequently each day, it's possible to reach level 24 within a month without spending any money. However, joining a populated guild is a prerequisite. Before level 20, save the 60-minute and 8-hour items from the guild shop instead of using them. Keep exploring and gathering whenever you have the stamina. If you do this, it's achievable even as a free-to-play player.

I'm also level 17 right now, with 3 days left until the level 18 hidden requirement. I think I can make it to level 18, but the time needed keeps increasing, so I'm kind of giving up on reaching level 24...

Yeah, honestly, up to level 18 is the easiest ^^