Where book 1 spent an ample amount of time strategizing on leveling-up options, book 2 went overboard to an inordinate amount of time that made the pause in story arc movement distracting. If this was a novel that was based on a real RPG game then it would have made more sense and even enlightening so as to encourage a gamer to purchase said game. There was also a lot of time spent on culinary building that acted to delay the story arc progress.
That said, the actual story arc was fairly interesting and the BOSS battle ending was awesomely riveting!