If there are no fighters without weapons in the pit, you may have to hire one in the town and have it follow you into the pit area. Now all you have to do is keep yourself healed while you watch your skill climb. These guys will get you into the mid 80's skillwise and towards the end, you'll have to heal them unless you're using one that has a shield and good armor. Even then you'll have to heal him every now and then. Once your gains have slowwed down or stopped altogether, it's time for phase 2.
Nobles are a great source of income.
They typically have 700gp and some change, or else they'll have 500 and a magic item and some scrolls or gems. With your skills in the 80's they'll be a pushover and there are a ton of them here. The northern and western tips of the big Island are outside of guard protection so just drag them there and kill them. If you want, work up your Musicainship nd Enticement and you can herd them 4 or 5 at a time outside of town and make a quick fortune. With a few hours of dedicated work you should have about 20,000gp and some nice magic gear.