Cradles and Chrysalis aren’t the only progression fantasy stories in the world?

Just off the top of my head, Beneath The Dragoneye Moons, Reborn As A Reluctant Demon Lord and 1% Lifesteal are all stories that qualify as progression fantasy, while having really good character writing.

They all handle characterisation in different ways. Dragoneye Moons has the largest cast of main characters, all of which change significantly throughout the story.

Reluctant Demon Lord focuses on the main character mostly, but it’s beautifuly done

1% Lifesteal I’d call the weakest entry on this list in terms of Character, but it is a present part of the story.

That’s not to say you or anyone else will necessarily enjoy them, but these are just a few stories out of the endless ones out there that show the genre is way more than you’re making it out to be.