This is the way. Even as a Pally, heading to undead area of Hole, it sucked. Mobs have just truckloads of HP. Get your Idol and move off to SolB imps / efreeti until you ding 46.
As mentioned, Idol of the Underking is absolutely worth picking up. It is significantly easier now with a personal instance and no PHs. The named is found down in the jail area on a static spawn spot and spawns every time. Just a bit of RNG needed to get his rare drop (the Idol), but the Heal focus is well worth your time.
Btw, I literally havent logged in since my screen pic some days ago with dual flame swords. I just cant bring myself to log in and farm +betterer gear when I can already beat all of the most difficult content faster than I can spawn instances. Kunark / new content is much too far out. I've cancelled my sub.