2 things I would consider for this case:
1. The obvious way of doing this is just to add another page to the chapter end track. You could do more than one, but I think one would probably be enough.
2. Use one less page on the encounter card than you should. If you're on page 2, use the page 1 minions still.
(To combine the 2 effects, you could simply not move hourglass the first time you are supposed to, "ONE FREE SKIP!!" and then you get an extra page and easier minions)
Both of those should still give you the feeling of playing the game correctly while still making it easier!
1. The obvious way of doing this is just to add another page to the chapter end track. You could do more than one, but I think one would probably be enough.
2. Use one less page on the encounter card than you should. If you're on page 2, use the page 1 minions still.
(To combine the 2 effects, you could simply not move hourglass the first time you are supposed to, "ONE FREE SKIP!!" and then you get an extra page and easier minions)
Both of those should still give you the feeling of playing the game correctly while still making it easier!