I was wrong about my level, I'm actually still 35. The difficulty of the game is fantastic, and I'm trying to level as little as possible to keep the challenge at insane levels. Had no idea I was such a masochist.

I know my guy will need to be leveled soon, but for the moment the challenge is making the game so much more fun. I haven't even summoned help for any boss fight thus far.

Timman, I also took out the stray demon... that was a fun fight. Maybe I should go back to Blighttown for a suicide run past Quelaag's area -
Spoiler

One thing that's been helping me a lot - I upraded my heavy crossbow to +5, then I modified and upgraded it to a magic heavy crossbow +5. WOW, it does even more damage to most enemies than my lightning spear! I know you can't zoom-aim with a crossbow, but it allows me to target an enemy from medium distance and do great damage to them while staying out of their hitbox - and I can even wear my shield while using it. And since I have a decent amount of points in both dexterity and especially intelligence, damage is scaling quite nicely. I plan on doing the same with the composite bow once I get some extra souls from the next boss(es). I refuse to cheat like Timman!