The second Ougon no Keikenchi novel moves away from the solo-play focus of the prequel to introduce some multiplayer elements to this MMO setting with the introduction of both an actual friend and the protagonist’s estranged sister. I’m not really sure at this junction where it’s intending to go, but so far it’s been entertaining enough.
The Monster no Niku series‘ second novel meanwhile is pretty much more of the same: The protagonist’s followers misunderstand his intentions/desires while his influence and power continue to grow unchecked. It still works well enough… though that may not be true for much longer. We’ll have to see if the epilogue events shake anything up or it just ends up a repeat of the first invasion.