Several seconds later, Golden Lion casually pulled a cigar from his coat as though nothing had happened, then reached into his pocket with his other hand and fished out a lighter.
"Click, click, click."
He pressed it several times, but the lighter seemed determined to spite him and simply refused to light. A flicker of flame danced and died, until finally it would not even give him a spark.
The corner of Golden Lion's mouth twitched. He simply stuck the unlit cigar between his lips.
"What is this guy talking about?"
"Is this some kind of joke?"
Ron merely shrugged and said calmly, "Congratulations. You've won five million Beli."
Golden Lion's face flushed red. He took a deep breath, forcibly swallowed the anger already rising into his throat, and squeezed out through gritted teeth, "Quit messing around. Get back here and keep playing! Who surrenders right at the start?!"
"Some people do," Ron said softly. "I'm one of them."
Golden Lion could not take it anymore. He hurled the useless lighter to the floor and roared, "Don't push your luck, Ron! You think I won't kill you?!"
Without a change in expression, Ron raised his hand toward Rocks. "Referee, I feel that my personal safety is being threatened."
Rocks froze. Looking at Ron's utterly unruffled face, he had only one thought left in his head: You little bastard, you're a fucking genius. How can you say something that outrageous with such conviction and still keep a straight face?
"Hey, Rocks." Golden Lion turned to him. "This doesn't count, does it?"
Rocks spread his hands, his tone carrying a measure of helpless impartiality. "Your opponent conceded, so you were declared the winner. That's in accordance with procedure, Shiki."
Golden Lion's face darkened further. After a moment of silence, he tipped his