After that day, Josh usual, or unusual, life continued. Each night, the thought that he has two months time limit to go against one of the seven Warlords. It always takes the sleep away from his eyes. The only thing that would let him sleep back is his woman, who was by his side for now.
For now, Josh didn't have many missions. He and Mikita can stay in the base or just move around the islands and hunt pirates within their level if they ever met one.
Josh accumulated more than ten million berries, and Mikita was happy with the wealth they are making. She even started thinking that life is good with what they are gaining. Still, she was wondering where Josh was spending his money for it to vanish like that.
She even had asked him if he had a bad habit of gambling, which Josh just laughed at weirdly, making her suspicious of him.
But of course, he was gambling.
'Alright, show me something good.'
While spending Draw Points, Josh learnt new things.
For example, spending 10 points guarantee having an above-average reward.
And, as it seems, 20 or more give me a high chance to get an excellent rank.
And of course, there were chances of having Epic and Legend, which depends on his luck.
Mikita was right. Josh is gambling his money.
Josh had put ten points once, and twenty another time, gaining him two things.
Meanwhile, the other ten points were left in case if he felt lucky to draw ten times in another day.
[+ Healing Pill (Good Rank) (heals wounds by 60%)]
[+ Heracles Elixir (Excellent rank) (Add 500 Kilo strength) ]
And thanks to that, Josh got stronger, while he kept the pill for dangerous situations.
"Alright, Sweety. I will let you work out. We will take a shower together after."
"I'll come very soon." Josh felt seduced by her.
"Work out well. I need more stamina." Mikita said with a low seductive voice as she gave her back to Josh and went to the cabin.
"Don't worry, I'll surely do my best."
Josh was doing push-ups on his fingers, having a hard time keeping up with doing it more than two hundred times. his strength that excelled at the 1.2 tons point.
By the time to do his mission come, Josh wanted to make sure that he would be strong enough/ So, he spent the time practising. He was doing this for himself, not for anyone else. He has everything to win. So, he would never stop practising and doing his job.
And of course, he had as much love as he could with Mikita. One can't underestimate mating. On Earth, each sex session consumes a lot of energy. In this world, where people's bodies can handle more, mating uses more energy, which makes it considered one of the most perfect training for stamina increasing.
Facts don't lie.
In the passing days, Josh was getting stronger, and he was collecting money. Unfortunately for him, not many pirates with good rewards were passing. Most of them were 5-15 million. And, each time, Josh found that he has an easier time with them. He mastered Kung Fu, some freestyle techniques, and he could even develop Shave to be faster and less linear.
Talent played a role, after all. And each time, beating pirates was getting easier. Moreover, his partner alone could do the rest of the job.
Josh got his first paycheck, which is pure money without having a pirate head hunter, and it happened to be 5 million. Not a lot but not low. Josh kept a million for his expensive and traded the rest for points, making him have 14 Draw Points.
Mr. 9 and Ms Valentine, because of their performance, were directly given a higher number, when the previous owner was lost.
Josh became Mr. 7 now, while Mikita still Ms Valentine.
One day, Josh was resting on one island, drinking lemon juices with Mikita. It was a holiday like a day, which he and his partner spent in a rented house on a random island.
Josh was laying next to Mikita, both were topless and facing the sun.
"It's sour," Josh said
"Don't you like it?" Mikita turned and looked at him.
"It's light." He commented.
"Hmm… Do you like heavy things?"
She gave him a meaningful glance.
"I like them in perfect shape, heavy or light."
Josh smiled at her face. Mikita half closed her eyes and pushed herself into him.
As partners, their life was good. Both would hunt pirates and doing tasks, gaining money, and then they can travel and relax on different islands, enjoying their time. If not for the pills she is taking, Mikita would think that she would be pregnant soon.
As they were about to kiss, only a couple centimetres separating between their lips, a sound rang around.
Bero… Bero…
The snail, which was on a table near to them, started ringing like a phone.
Josh sighed. Mikita turned her head to the snail with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Do we have to…" Josh said, annoyed.
"Yes. It's the protocol. You know, the previous Mr. 8 ignored their call, and he vanished" Mikita rolled her eyes.
"You know, don't you wish you can rebel." Josh patted her on the shoulder and stood up.
"I wish. But only if we were strong enough."
Mikita looked at his back. She raised her eyebrow. Josh, at that moment, had a hidden smirk. Mikita, for real, was opened to the idea of betraying Crocodile.
"What if were we strong?" Josh asked; his hand on the snail.
Mikita looked at the sky, thought for a second, before answering. "We'll be rich. But who dares to go against Mr. 0. Why are you asking?"
"Who knows?"
After giving her a nod, Josh picked up the DenDenMushi. Mikita looked over him.
"Understood." Josh, after nodding, said.
He then closed the call and turned to her.
"What?" She asked.
"We have a cooperation mission. Mr 1 and Miss Double Finger needs to cooperate. They found a group of pirates, total worth 100 million Berries. The captain is 55 million, and the rests share the reward. Also and Mr.3 is coming. It seems we are the only non-busy ones."
"Hey, how would we share the money then." Mikita stood up, came from behind, and wrapped her hands around Josh's abs.
"Who knows. Sounds like an experience." Josh turned his head, to see her face. "We have some time before we move, you know."
"I know." She just lowered her head.
"Something bothering you?" Josh asked.
"To asks for helper, not to mention, the bounty, it makes me think it is dangerous…" Mikita just smiled.
"The Mikita I know would laugh when facing such a thing," Josh said.
"She will. She is just worried about exhausting you now, which would put you to danger later." Mikita said.
"You wish," Josh said, feeling challenged. They then started kissing, making Josh feel aroused, before The two of them picked up their clothes and moved to the boat, to the place where they were supposed to meet with the others.