[Lancelot's POV]
"You know, we've been traveling for three days, and I've heard all kinds of stories about this Shadow Forest from the NPCs that we encountered. I wonder if it's true," Francine asked to no one.
"Who cares?" Alexa uttered. "If the NPCs said that it's dangerous, then it is. We should really take the longer route."
"You girls are such a scaredy cat," Yun teased.
"I just don't want any of us to get hurt," Nanally said.
"Think of it this way." I faced them. "This is a beginner's area. You must have noticed that by now from all the beasts we encountered. If this Old Hag is real, then he's like a beginner's boss. If we defeat it, we will surely get tons of rewards while also reaching Roselake Town early on.
"We can eat food and sleep in the inn. I heard this town is a scenic city and tourist destination and it had lots of shops for you girls to roam around.
