Jihyo and Vesper's ideals clash ---- a crystalline hope versus an unforgiving wind.
In Zeke's eyes, Vesper was a goal-oriented being made for war. He had a solid objective, powerful abilities, and a clear killing intent.
But he realized Vesper had two fatal flaws: absolute pride, and unbridled ego.
Zeke used that to his advantage by taunting him so that he could buy time for Jihyo to recover her strength--- by taking a jab at how Vesper is a "coward" for choosing not to kill him, mocking his abilities for "sounding lame", and even challenging him to try and kill him first if he's really strong.
And the Koul'in general fell for the taunt.
Vesper felt the need to respond to it by killing him, just to prove a point that he isn't a "coward" as Zeke claims him to be.
"It's funny how outrageously stupid you are to be able to stand before me with such insults, even if you're injured," Vesper remarked. "And for what? Just to save someone else?"
"Maybe I am stupid. But at least I'm not stupid for nothing. I'm doing this to protect Jihyo." Zeke replied.
Vesper began laughing loud and obnoxiously as if he's mocking Zeke's statement.
"How can YOU protect a wielder when you aren't a wielder yourself? Don't make me laugh, weak human. You're clearly out of my league. I can even sense you trembling out of fear." Vesper replied.
"It's because of the cold. You're taking too long to kill me. I've started shivering already." Zeke replied.
"Who am I kidding?! He's right though..." Zeke thought. "I'm trembling out of fear, but I have to buy Jihyo time...! Can't I just talk my way out of this.. y'know, like how games have a pacifist ending route..?"
"Cutting Breeze." Vesper unleashes a strong blast of razor-sharp wind from his palm that narrowly misses Zeke. Zeke looks unfazed, but deep inside, he was absolutely afraid.
"O-okay... Maybe not.." Zeke said to himself. "Focus, Zeke. Don't freak out... Keep him distracted!"
"That was just a taste of what's to come for you," Vesper said.
"I have something too. You think you're the only one who has signature moves?" Zeke replied as he readied his pipe wrench.
"Oh? Then show me." Vesper crossed his arms.
Zeke immediately throws his pipe wrench towards Vesper. He immediately deflects the pipe wrench.
"Is that the best you can d--"
Vesper was soon met by a flurry of snowballs to the face, blinding him for a short while. As he wipes it off, he sees no sign of Zeke around.
Zeke suddenly looms from behind and strikes him with all his might, hitting the area where Jihyo wounded him earlier. Vesper winces in pain and attempts a counterattack, to which Zeke immediately dodges.
"This human.. How did he get here so fast?" Vesper thought.
"You little vermin!" Vesper manages to grab ahold of Zeke's arm and flings him far out to another area of the park.
Zeke crash lands on a tree as he grunts in pain. He immediately stands up, wobbling as he held onto its trunk. He sees Vesper charge at him with his Typhon Barrier: Tackle technique, and he forcefully pushes himself away from the tree as Vesper decimates it.
"Give it up, weakling. You're all talk, no fight. It's over." Vesper remarked.
"You haven't killed me yet, so it isn't over. Idiot. Come and get me." Zeke said as he immediately makes a run for it.
"You..." Vesper follows suit, seemingly pissed at his empty insults.
Meanwhile, Jihyo watches the whole thing unfold from where she was sitting.
"Zeke...! You didn't have to--- Ggh!" Jihyo winced as she focused on healing her wounds.
She watches as Vesper chased Zeke with his activated wind-barrier. She's impressed at how Zeke dodged his attacks by using the terrain to his advantage--- using the trees to shield himself from Vesper's charging attacks, vaulting over benches, and jumping on other structures. They were like playing a deadly game of cat and mouse.
For a non-wielder, Zeke's agility was kind of an impressive feat.
However, Jihyo knew that soon, he would eventually tire out. She has to recover quickly, or else they wouldn't make it out alive.
She looks at one of the huge, open wounds on her right arm. She was surprised to see that crystals were forming on and around the wound to seal it completely, instead of a regular scab. She touches the crystal-like scab, and it feels smooth, yet sturdy.
She looks at her other wounds on her body exhibiting the same method of healing as well, and she's finally regaining her strength slowly.
Jihyo suddenly had an idea on her mind.
"...If this is how I heal, then maybe.."
Meanwhile, Zeke was now having difficulty dodging Vesper's charging attacks. The Koul'in general was far quicker than him, after all, and the only reason why he's not dead yet is because the trees and benches around him were slowing down Vesper's direct attacks. The chase reminded him of "maiba, taya"--- the Philippine version of tag that he loved playing with his friends when he was a kid.
Only that this time, it was deadly.
Vesper finally catches up to Zeke and grabs him by the leg, slamming him on the ground.
Zeke was immobilized with the pain coursing around his body. He couldn't stand nor swing his pipe wrench to defend himself. As he looked at Vesper, he was already raising his wind-infused fist, ready to end him.
"You cause was a futile one. Although I have to be honest, you faired better than the other weak humans I've dealt with. Take solace in that thought as your life finally comes to an end." Vesper said.
"Heaven's Descent...!"
A bright light suddenly appears behind Vesper. The Koul'in general notices this and as he turns around, he sees Jihyo about to slash him down. He immediately blocks it with one arm, but the force of Jihyo's assault slightly sinks the ground beneath Vesper.
"Jihyo..!" Zeke remarked. "You're okay now..?!"
"Yep!" Jihyo replied as she smiled at Zeke. "Can't miss the fun, you know!"
"You never give up, don't you?" Vesper remarked. "Don't you realize you're still outcl--"
"Oh my god, shut the hell up already, you idiot!" Jihyo said. "and let me show you... how strong humanity is!"
Jihyo swings viciously upward as Vesper tries to block. He then counters by slamming his wind-infused fist towards Jihyo. She responds by blocking it with one arm and attempts to retaliate with a swing, but Vesper disarms her quickly, sending the Manifest far out on the snowy ground as it returns to its cane form.
The two combatants quickly exchange blows in a fierce display of hand-to-hand combat. Jihyo was able to last long this time, despite her sustaining more injuries than before.
And she was winning.
Even Vesper's wind-infused fists couldn't stop Jihyo's punches. Vesper's eyes widen as he sees Jihyo's wounds on her arms and fists crystallize into some sort of solid diamond, and her attacks slowly get stronger and stronger.