The First Servant

The Ruined Tower, it held a very special significance for anything labeled as 'First'. 

The reasons were unknown but the tower consistently bestowed greater importance upon such occurrences, and it wasn't any different when a challenger summoned their first monster.

For summoners and the necromancers, acquiring their initial summon or a servant had a very significant value as the thier first summoned being will receive the tower's blessing, elevating it's status and potential.

In his previous life, Shiva remained oblivious to this phenomenon, leading to the blessing being bestowed upon a mere goblin skeleton, summoned merely to test his skill.

Yet, the tower's bestowed blessing proved remarkably potent, the goblin skeleton had undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a formidable entity that nearly matched the strength of one of Shiva's nine apostles at its peak.

Yet, despite this newfound power, the creature's inherent goblin nature still hindered it from reaching its full potential, a fact that Shiva deeply regretted from his previous life.

"This time will be different," Shiva vowed to himself.

Pushing aside the burden of past regrets, Shiva placed his hand upon the motionless body of the giant, his focus intense as he activated his skill and channeled mana towards the corpse with unwavering determination.

"<Raise the Dead>," he commanded.

A surge of energy, like a powerful wave, erupted from deep within Shiva. It flowed outwards, surrounding the enormous body of the fallen giant in a whirlwind-like embrace. Slowly but surely, this energy seeped into every part of the giant's form. With practiced ease, Shiva directed this energy, almost as though it was a skill he had honed over a lifetime. He infused the giant's lifeless body with pure, untainted energy.

At first, there seemed to be no immediate change. The giant lay still, unmoving. However, as moments passed, subtle shifts began to occur.

The colossal giant jolted for a moment, and then, as if the reaper had loosened his grip on the soul of the deceased, the giant's eyes snapped open, radiating with vibrant green energy. It was as though death itself had been momentarily defeated, and life had returned to the once-lifeless body.

With a gradual and deliberate motion, the giant began to rise from its prone position, its colossal 25-foot form being upheld by its four powerful arms and sturdy legs. In a matter of moments, it loomed imposingly over Shiva, its sheer size dominating the space around them. Yet, despite its immense stature, its eyes remained devoid of any emotion or consciousness.

As the giant stood before him, the disembodied voice of the system resonated through the air.

<The skill <Raise the Dead> has been used!>

<The Goliath of Dread - lv-25 has been successfully resurrected!>

<The summoned monster has retained a portion of its stats and all skills.>

Shiva's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he observed the eerie green flame-like glimmer taking shape within the vacant eye sockets of the giant.

"Now, that is what I call a worthy first summon!" he exclaimed, his excitement evident in his voice.

Accompanied by a crackling sound that filled the air, the undead giant emitted a deep, guttural growl, its previously vacant eyes now alight with swirling green flames that danced with an eerie intensity.

However, despite the spectacle before him, Shiva knew that the summoning ritual had not yet reached its conclusion. There was more yet to come.

As if on cue, the system's voice resounded once more.

<Congratulations on summoning your first undead.>

<You have taken the initial step in long journey of Necromancy.>

<The Tower acknowledges your achievement in raising an undead even before entering the tower.>

<As a reward, you are granted the exclusive right to give true name your first summon.>

A rush of excitement and joy surged through Shiva as he marveled at the reward bestowed upon him. Though he had anticipated this outcome, the sweetness of the rewards only served to heighten his delight.

For some, the act of naming a summoned being might seem ordinary, but for those who understood the significance of a true name, its importance was profound.

A true name held more meaning than what was apparent at first glance. It was more than just a label; it held a deep connection to the essence and potential of the summoned creature.

Usually, giving a true name to a summon required a significant sacrifice from the summoner. They had to permanently give up a portion of their own stats. In return, the summoned being gained the ability to evolve and grow alongside its summoner. This meant that as the summoner progressed through challenges, the summon could also become stronger, acquiring new skills and abilities.

Moreover, by having a true name, the summon was no longer limited to using only a fraction of its power. It could now access its full potential without any constraints.

This exchange, though costly, offered significant advantages, especially if the summoner was confident in the potential of the summoned creature. It was a gamble, but one that could greatly benefit both summoner and summon in their journey through the Tower.

Yet, for Shiva, the chance to bestow a true name upon his inaugural summon came without any accompanying penalties or sacrifices.

"I regreted summoning a goblin as my first summon so much...! Finally, a worthy being deserving of a true name!"

Even though the goblin from his past had seemed unremarkable in terms of potential, it had unexpectedly proved to be quite useful. Yet, now that Shiva possessed one of the mightiest creatures available in the tutorial as his first summon, he couldn't help but ponder its untapped capabilities for growth and power.

A wide grin stretched across Shiva's face as he reached out, tenderly resting his hand upon the forehead of the giant, which now knelt before him, bowing its head in deference.

"From this moment onward," Shiva declared, his voice ringing with determination, "your name shall be..."

---***---

Any guesses on what the name of Shiva's first summon would be...?