The Backstreets (Project Moon)

In the City, clothing can be imbued with special properties through the use of particular types of textiles. Fixer uniforms are typically created with such fabrics, and include benefits such as a high degree of protection, or greater movement speed, with high-quality fabric providing as much protection as an augmentation procedure.[27] Fabric can also affect the wearer's emotions, creating effects such as bolstering their courage.

These textiles are created by Tailors through various means; one such method, used by The Carnival is weaving fabric from living beings through the use of a Singularity of a fallen Wing.[28] Enhanced fabric is available for purchase and widely used by Fixers and important figures of the City, with certain high-quality types being only available through Workshop memberships, while some Tailors are tied to organizations and only provide fabric for those affiliated.

The City offers various options for strengthening one's body. Augmentation does not require the complete substitution of a limb, instead being a procedure that enhances its natural abilities; this makes augmentation procedures the most important investment for those involved in Fixer business. Augmentations can be applied to a wide range of body parts, including the heart (as is the case for Bada from Library of Ruina), the muscles (as is the case for The Red Gaze, whose legs are enhanced with artificial muscle fibers),[8] to even one's physiological reactions (as appears to be the case for Hindley).[9] Augmentation does not necessarily reflect on improved combat performance; instead, it allows the body to better keep up with the necessities of combat and of the combat techniques one has learned.[10] For example, enhanced physical strength may allow a Fixer to carry a larger weapon, but it will not change their basic skill in wielding it.[11]

One's skin can be enhanced as well: tattoo augmentations, famously used by The Middle, used to be a patented technology tied to the Singularity of a fallen Wing, but following its collapse, they became fairly common in the City, being more affordable compared to other options. Tattoo augmentations can grant skin as hard as steel, as well as enhanced physical strength.[12]

Prosthetic use consists in the substitution of organic body parts for mechanical or bionic ones. This can be partial, or full-body; in the latter case, the user's brain is removed from their body, and placed into the new, prosthetic one.

Full-body substitution is an irreversible procedure, and therefore usually ill-advised compared to other options. It is often chosen by people in need of money, who are then able to sell their old body and their organs for a good sum, or by people who do repetitive work, as a completely mechanical body is able to withstand the stress better than an organic one, and is not subject to physical needs such as that of food and drink.[2] Full-body prosthetics instead require the use of brain fluid and fuel to keep the user's brain and body in good condition, as well as occasional physical maintenance.[3] It appears that in current models, fuel might have been replaced by electrical energy.[4]

Prosthetics can be of varying quality and aesthetics. Low-quality prosthetic substitution comes at the cost of the loss of one's senses. This can be overcome through the purchase of desire stimulation chips or medicines, or that of a more expensive prosthetic, as high-quality models come with sensory organs. The most expensive models are capable of adjusting the user's emotions or completely shutting off desires.[5]

As of current times, full-body prosthetics most commonly resemble mechanical human bodies with heads of various shapes, as those shown during Canto III, that had become widely popular in Calw in the years preceding the start of the main story. In the past, possibly tracing back to the times of Lobotomy Corporation's founding, full-body prosthetics had a less human design, resembling square metal cases, such as the prosthetic utilized by the Tieqiu Boss, as well as the Sephirot of Lobotomy Corporation. This design is around a decade old by the time of Limbus Company, and is considered incredibly antiquated during the events of the story

The City as shown in Limbus Company, as well as Lobotomy Corporation and Library of Ruina, has developed various types of innovative technology. While many these are tied to the Wings and the Singularities in their possession, others are of wider public use, being found all across the City. This article aims to be a collection of such inventions.

Body Modification Procedures
Procedures to modify one's organic body are extremely common in the City, being used by people of all walks of life, from wealthy Nest citizens, to laborers of the Backstreets. Body modification procedures are widely considered necessary for anyone who undertakes Fixer work.[1] Through these procedures, one's entire body can be modified, except for the brain, which must be kept intact.

The Ring's hierarchy system features at least three major ranks, which do not appear to contain sub-ranks. The ranks are as follows:

Student: The common artist who both submits assignments to the Maestros for grading and grades the work of Ring-affiliated civilians.[11]
Docent: A mid-rank, roughly equivalent to a Capo of the Thumb or a Big Sibling of the Middle.[23] Appears to be the rank in charge of hosting art galleries.[24]
Maestro: A high-ranking artist. Gives out assignments to the lower ranks and hosts Ring auctions. To earn the title of Maestro, one must have three art pieces that establish them as worthy of the rank.[25]

Members of the Ring dress primarily in white, seeing the way it stains as a sign of the artistic process.[20] They wear at least one ring, starting on their left hand,[21] with the number of coils around the ring denoting their rank.[22] Most Ring members also sport tattoo-like markings on their face, alongside other unique accessories like masks and piercings. There is considerable variation in the weapons members use.

The Ring offers protection to residents of the Backstreets under its occupation, so long as the citizens are willing to create art to be evaluated by the Ring. These civilians periodically submit artwork to be graded at an exam site,[9] where Ring members refer personal judgements on a letter scale. One failing grade results in a warning, two results in the loss of the Ring's protection, and three results in an on-site execution.[10] Similarly, lower-ranking members of the Ring, namely Students, regularly complete 'assignments' issued by higher-ups within designated time periods to maintain membership.[11][12] The artwork of Students is presented to higher-ranking members, such as Docents or Maestros, during Critique sessions, and later evaluated. The goal of most individuals associated with the Ring is to achieve a regular schedule and improvement in evaluations, in order to maintain their station within the Syndicate.[13]

The Ring makes use of special pigments both in their art and in combat. This paint is said to be made from the same material as Augmentation Tattoos,[14] being nigh-indelible brands that can be applied to one's skin to cause various effects,[15] such as weakening an enemy it is forcibly applied on.

The Ring has also been known to use the Corridor technology, which allows them to create an exit from anywhere.[16] The created door will then lead into the Corridor, which takes the form of a physical hall connected to the Ring's bases, and can grow to contain hundreds of doors leading to hundreds of locations. While the Corridor technology is not exclusive to them, and even used with Mephistopheles' own backdoor,[17] the Ring allows random citizens the chance to access their Corridor as a prize for winning an auction for a Maestro's art piece.[18] The District 22 section of the Ring made use of their Corridor in order to access an N Corp. laboratory and conduct research on Identity technology.[19]

The Ring (약지, yakji) is one of the Five Fingers of the Backstreets, operating with a focus on creating gruesome works of art.

Like the other Fingers, the Ring is one of the most powerful Syndicates in the City, possessing enough influence to rival even the Wings.[1]

Like the other four Fingers, the Ring is a large Syndicate with a unique culture and creed that all members follow fervently. Its focus is on art. Members of the Ring are eccentric artisans enamored with art reflecting the human condition, which they pursue by causing and exhibiting human suffering. Their artwork takes a wide variety of forms, from sculptures made of corpses to massacres painted out of someone's mind.[2] The Ring's power extends over great part of the City, with more influential movements having even greater reach.[3]

The Syndicate manages galleries featuring their works, and will at times auction them off.[4] Galleries are tied to a specific School of the Ring and are typically staffed by a number of Docents;[5] Galleries that are connected to a Maestro's atelier and auction house are called Main Studios.[6]

Among auctions, the most prestigious are VIP auctions, where the finest pieces are auctioned to wealthy bidders typically tied to corporations,[7] although other guests may be personally invited by the Maestro organizing the auction. During auctions, bidders' heads are covered by a veil. Beside auctions, the Ring also organizes other artistic exhibitions, such as the Biennale, one of the most illustrious events for its members, and which presumably takes place every two years.[8]

The Middle's hierarchy system features at least four major ranks, which do not appear to contain sub-ranks. The ranks are as follows:

Little Sibling
Young Sibling
Big Sibling
Great Sibling: The highest rank mentioned thus far. One of the requirements for promotion from Big Sibling to Great Sibling is going about an intensive "Labor" called "Pilgrimage of Loyalty".[12]
While there are multiple ranks within the Syndicate, they do not seem to call for any difference in how members treat each other, as in-group relationships are built on mutual respect, care, and trust that succeeds any power structure. Instead, there exists a natural tendency for lower-ranking members to want to impress their superiors, and higher-ranking members to dote on their subordinates.[13]

On the other hand, slights between members of the Middle are generally ignored and forgiven.[5] However, joining the Middle isn't a perfect solution either, as members are forbidden from leaving. Anyone who attempts to move on from the Syndicate will be hunted down by their former siblings until they die or erase absolutely every indicator of the Middle from themselves.[6] Additionally, while the Middle may ignore slights, major offenses are taken very seriously; after Matthias murdered a Great Brother and Great Sister during a trip to The Ruins to take the Lævateinn for himself, the Middle punished him by exiling him to the House of Spiders, even after Matthias left no trace of the murders behind.[7]

There exists no strict dress code among the Middle beyond blending in with other members.[8] They tend to wear light-colored dress pants and garish shirts or coats in purple and pink tones, as well as carry around personal copies of the Book of Vengeance with them. Other common attributes include golden chains wrapped around the forearm, shins, and neck (larger amounts of chains are present on higher-ranking members), which the Middle utilize in combat, and are meant to symbolize solidarity and connection between siblings.[9] Members of the Middle are also recognizable by their enhancement tattoos; as they are allowed to get a single tattoo with each vengeance completed, the number of tattoos present on one's body tends to denote their ranking in the Syndicate.[10]
In combat, the Middle make use of punches and kicks, augmented by the tattoos, although they will occasionally make use of weapons as well, especially when conducting punishments.[11]

The Middle (중지, jungji) is one of the Five Fingers of the Backstreets, operating with a focus on supporting one another and punishing anyone who disrespects them.

Like the other Fingers, the Middle is one of the most powerful Syndicates in the City, possessing enough influence to rival even the Wings.[1]

Like the other four Fingers, the Middle is a large Syndicate with a unique culture and creed that all members follow fervently. Members operate on an extremely tight-knit 'familial' structure, enjoying close fraternal ties with one another. Reflective of their bonds, everyone in the Middle refers to each other as their "Brothers", "Sisters", or "Siblings".

While the Middle cherishes its own members, it takes the polar opposite approach towards outsiders. Any "sin" committed against a member of the Middle, their loved ones, or property is recorded in the "Book of Vengeance" so that the perpetrator might be punished for the deed. The Middle is well-known for never letting go of unfulfilled grudges, and members may spend years chasing down its enemies to enact justice. Besides listing the names of everyone who has slighted the Middle, the Book of Vengeance also provides guidelines for the punishment to every conceivable crime, which range from killing a sibling to the simple act of stepping on a member's shoe.
Depending on the crime, the Middle will not hesitate to annihilate everyone in the perpetrator's faction, town, or social circle. As with the case at Rodya's hometown, the Middle may not even care who actually committed the sin, and will just opt to enact mass vengeance against whoever's in the vicinity in order to teach everyone nearby a lesson.
The members of the Middle in a certain District share the same Vengeance list, and grudges recorded into the Book of Vengeance are automatically placed into the Vengeance list of every Book of Vengeance in the District; in certain circumstances, grudges from other Districts might be put into put into members' Books

The Index's hierarchy system features at least four major ranks, which are comprised of a less traditional echelon. The ranks are as follows:

Proselyte: An initiate of the Syndicate who joined after receiving a Prescript asking them to become a Proselyte. Proselytes learn the ways of the Index by shadowing a Proxy in groups of five to six (a "familia"), and will be promoted to either Proxy or Messenger after showing a certain level of competence.[6] Proselytes may be rewarded with fabric to extend the length of their own cloak; a longer cloak indicates their own progress as a Proselyte, as well as augments their fighting prowess.
Proxy: A higher rank equivalent to a Messenger. They receive and carry out Prescripts with their familia.[20] Their Prescripts can ask for anything, but the order to punish others who have failed to carry out their Prescripts is the most consistent one.[3][21]
Messenger: A higher rank equivalent to a Proxy. The duty of receiving and delivering Prescripts to their recipients is held by them. It is unclear whether they receive frequent Prescripts like Proxies do.[22]
Weaver: A special member whose position in the totem pole is unknown. They tend to the machines and looms that create the Prescripts. Their existence is a secret to most, and the Weavers themselves aren't aware of how many are in their ranks.
The Oracle's Proxy: A special member whose position in the totem pole is unknown, but is seemingly able to directly receive orders from the "gods" of the City. Their duties in relation to the Prescripts are similar to that of ordinary Proxies, and it is unclear what specifically distinguishes the Oracle's Proxies. However, their position within the Index is distinct.[23]

As a phenomenon, Prescripts are considered a Star of the City.[7] Prescripts contain highly unpredictable tasks, delivered to or by members of the Index. They may be delivered at any time, through any method,[8][9] after which they must be carried out by the receiver. Every Prescript is one-of-a-kind,[8] and the time limit for their completion varies from case to case.[10] While many are delivered via slips of paper, other types of delivery exist, such as through devices resembling electronic pagers.

Prescripts might ask for something as easy as waving one's hand at an intersection, as bloody as maiming another human being, or as abstract as killing a painting. Abstract Prescripts are common enough that certain members of the Index are given the authority to interpret them for the receiver.[11] Yet even with the variety and 'randomness', it's understood that the Prescripts will always benefit the Index in some manner.[12] In this way, outsmarting the Prescripts is considered impossible. Prescripts are able to predict fate, know when they have and haven't been completed, and whether Prescripts are being fabricated, all of which they will adjust their commands to accordingly.[13][14] At the end of the day, citizens are not permitted to question how the Prescripts work or where they come from, lest they be targeted by Index Proxies.[15] In fact, the vast majority of people, including members of the Index, have no idea how the system really works.

The Index (검지, geomji) is one of the Five Fingers of the Backstreets, and a Syndicate devoted to fulfilling the will of mysterious commands known as Prescripts.

Like the other Fingers, the Index is one of the most powerful Syndicates in the City, possessing enough influence to rival even the Wings.

Like the other four Fingers, the Index is a large Syndicate with a unique culture and creed that all members follow fervently. Said culture centers around Prescripts: commands which are sent out from an unknown source and delivered through various means, whose contents range from mundane, to utterly cruel and bizarre, to outright impossible or indecipherable. Members of the Index, as well as Backstreets citizens looking for the Index's protection, are required to follow the Prescripts they receive. Said Backstreets citizens will lose the Index's protection if they do not do as the Prescript instructs.[2] Otherwise, there is no guarantee of punishment for failing to fulfill a Prescript; rather, an Index Proxy must receive their own Prescript telling them to punish the slacker.[3]

Most Index members grow numb to the workings of the Prescripts,[4] and will carry them out without question. Those who do try to rebel against the system have little chance of maintaining their spirit in the face of the Prescripts' seemingly all-knowing nature. Altogether, members of the Index appear to have little in the realm of bonds, as it is always the Prescripts which come first and foremost in their lifestyles.

Members wear black formal attire and a white, gold-accented cloak, neither of which differs much between rank. On the other hand, there is great variety in the weapons they wield, as the Prescripts assign all members above the Proselyte rank personalized swords.[5] Proselytes wear blindfolds meant to teach them to follow the Prescripts regardless of what is happening before them, which is removed upon their promotion.[6]

The Thumb's hierarchy system features four major ranks, which are then divided into multiple sub-ranks. The ranks are as follows:

Soldato (Soldier): The common foot soldier of the Thumb, and the lowest rank possible. "Common Fixers" are equivalent in rank to them.[13]
The Soldato rank is divided into four sub-ranks: Primo, Secondo, Terzo, and Quarto.[14]
Capo (Captain): Those who command groups of Soldatos, relaying orders from their higher-ups. They are able to act with more liberties. A Grade 1 Fixer or an Associate Fixer is considered equivalent in rank to a Capo.[13][1]
The Capo rank is divided into four sub-ranks, likely the same sub-ranks as Soldatos.[15][16]
Consigliere (Advisor): A member or members with sway over the decisions of the Capo dei capi and advising them. They appear to handle the instatement of particular members of the organization, with at least a "central" Consigliere directly answering to the Capo dei capi for these matters.[17] It is unclear whether the rank belongs to more than one individual at a time.
Sottocapo (Underboss): The direct underlings of the Capo dei capi, who have permission to manage entire operations of the Syndicate within designated areas. They also manage the Thumb's 'families' of subsidiary Syndicates, each Sottocapo being assigned a different one. Board members of a Wing are of equivalent rank to a Sottocapo.[13]
Capo dei capi (Godfather, Padrino): The highest echelon. It is unclear whether the rank belongs to more than one individual at a time.

Thumb standards of respect are extreme, to the point that individuals are not allowed to look directly at those of a higher rank than them.[18] However, Thumb members of similar rank (or outside parties of an equivalent rank) are free to speak to each other however they please, such that some members may prefer to speak to their equals in order to alleviate any pressure in the discussion. higher-up may temporarily grant their own rank to someone of lower rank.

Among these Syndicates, seven families, or the Sette Famiglie of the Backstreets, are considered leading member Syndicates, holding far more power and influence compared to the common subsidiaries of the Thumb.[3] One of these is La Famiglia Bognatelli, a Famiglia that gained prestige, and eventually became one of the Sette Famiglie, thanks to the Palermitan Style of swordplay that originated from their family.[7]

In practice, the Thumb's dedication to politeness means that the Syndicate demands absolute compliance to hierarchy, as when dealing with the Thumb, any action that demonstrates a lack of respect for higher authority will be met with immediate punishment. Depending on the mistake, the consequence may extend past the rule breaker, to even their blameless comrades.[8] Ultimately, the Thumb will punish anyone it deems an offender, regardless of how innocent the mistake or clueless the individual is.[9]

Members of the Thumb also understand their own need to respect outsiders, and may spend time studying the hierarchy of other City factions in order to ensure they never disrespect someone of a higher rank.[10] Thumb punishments tend to revolve around the removal of body parts, such as body dismemberment or the forceful removal of one's tongue.[11]

While the attire of the Syndicate differs slightly depending on the quadrant of the City, members tend to dress in black, red, and gold attire. Each member's status can be gleamed from their uniform, as the Thumb signifies its ranks by the number of arrows on its badges, and sub-rank by the number of pins on its collars. The Thumb's weapons of choice are guns, which they make varied use of—such as through fighting with the bayonet or buttstock—in order to cut down on bullet costs.[12]

The Thumb (엄지, eomji) is one of the Five Fingers of the Backstreets, operating with a focus on adherence to hierarchy.

Like the other Fingers, the Thumb is one of the most powerful Syndicates in the City, possessing enough influence to rival even the Wings.[4]

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The Thumb
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The Thumb
The Thumb Logo.png
General Information
Subsidiaries
Kurokumo Clan
Stray Dogs
Ramier Family[1]
Teppu Family[2]
Nekomata Mafia[2]
Kyokushin Clan[2]
The Knots[2]
Famiglia Laterano[3]
Night Awls (Purged)
Rumenos Cartel (Purged)[1]
Members' Color

• #caa75f (name)
• #361e22 (card)

The Thumb (엄지, eomji) is one of the Five Fingers of the Backstreets, operating with a focus on adherence to hierarchy.

Like the other Fingers, the Thumb is one of the most powerful Syndicates in the City, possessing enough influence to rival even the Wings.[4]

Contents
1 Overview
1.1 Hierarchy
1.2 Recent Developments
2 Members
3 Enemies
3.1 Fighting Style
3.2 Types of Thumb Enemies
4 Sinner Identities
5 Gallery
6 Trivia
7 References
8 External Links
9 Navigation
Overview
Like the other four Fingers, the Thumb is a large Syndicate with a unique culture and creed that all members follow fervently. In particular, members of the Thumb value politeness and respect to one's superiors above all else.[5] The Thumb presents a strict hierarchy, at the head of which sits the Capo dei Capi, to whom the entire Syndicate, as well as their subsidiaries, must defer. The Thumb itself is composed of a number of smaller groups typically referred to as families, or Famiglie.[6]

The Five Fingers of the Backstreets are a band of Star of the City-level Syndicates that rival the Wings in power and influence.[6] Together, the Five Fingers control the Backstreets and prevent the Wings and Associations from interfering with those parts of the Districts, and even the Head cannot easily oppose their control over the Backstreets.[7] In order to keep this level of control, the Fingers periodically meet together in a conference known as the “Finger Bow-Bell” to discuss how best to maintain their hold over the Backstreets.[7]

Most of the time, however, the Five Fingers are rivals to each other, and fight over territory and other disputes. As seen with the fall of L Corp., the Fingers are quick to move in and attempt to claim the Nest of a fallen Wing as their own.

Each Finger has a distinct culture, with a harsh set of rules they expect to be followed by any who work with them. Like smaller Syndicates, the Fingers offer protection to residents of the Backstreets at a cost, with the tasks expected of the person seeking protection varying from Finger to Finger. Additionally, other Syndicates can become subsidiaries of a Finger, giving them a powerful connection so long as they provide support to the Finger and follow the orders given to them.

Syndicates (조직, Jojik) are a type of organization in the City, and can be seen as the unregulated counterpart to Fixer Offices. They are most commonly found in the Backstreets, but larger, more powerful Syndicates can rarely be found in Nests as well.

"Syndicate" is a purposefully vague and broad term that can be used to describe essentially any group of people who work together in an organized, but unregulated, group.[1] Syndicates can do all sorts of activities, and be involved in various types of business, leading to groups with very little in common both being able to be referred to as a Syndicate.[2] Some Syndicates focus on extorting money from people for protection, while others abduct people, kill for fun and pleasure, or do anything in between. They can be small groups that only exist in one corner of the Backstreets or large enough to exist in every District in the City. As many Syndicates operate as a business, they have the same rights and obligations as the other businesses of the City such as being able to hold patents on technology and needing to pay taxes.[3][4]

Many Syndicates have a culture focused around replicating family dynamics, and consider each other family, with some even referring to each other with familial terms.[5] This can result in Syndicates with a strict focus on respect for those who are higher ranked or in Syndicates who care deeply for each other and protect one another at any cost.

Fixer Associations, or Associations (협회, Hyeobhoe), are large, well-known organizations made up of Fixers and Offices. There are 12 total Associations in the City, each of which possess their own unique area of expertise and code of conduct.

Fixer Associations may be hired by anyone, so long as they pay the expected fee.

The 12 Associations are the major collective that controls the flow of Fixer work, each of them specializing in a different field. Associations are in charge of their affiliated Fixer Offices (known as Associate Offices), and the Fixers who work for them directly (known as Associate Fixers).[1] Cases requesting the work of Fixers are sorted according to type and then sent out to be handled by the respective Association.[1] From there, Associations delegate requests directly to their Fixer Offices or Associate Fixers.[1] Due to their large scale, Associations are able to take on jobs from all around the City, provided that the work falls into their particular specialty.

For Fixers, working for an Association or Associate Office comes with the advantage of a stable, predictable salary, and having requests handed out by the Association instead of having to deal with clients directly.[2] However, they are also forced to accept every request assigned by the Association, regardless of how unsavory or risky the job may be.[2] Working as an Associate Fixer specifically may also come with unique expectations, such as the Dieci Fixers' need to be strong and consistent studiers.
The Hana Association acts as the head of the other Associations, grading Fixers, Offices, requests, and hazards in real time, while also authorizing Offices and Fixer licenses.[1][3][4] As such, most Fixer and Association business first passes through the Hana Association. Outside of select regulations set by the Hana, the Associations are given the freedom to choose how they operate, and as such differ greatly in niche, rules, uniform, and approach to combat.

Workshops are a type of Fixer Office that specialize in the production of weapons, gear, and other tools used by Fixers, including customized orders.[20][21] Workshops typically aim to create products to match the needs of the typical Fixer, but some highly regarded Workshops that can afford to be more selective with their clientele work on a membership system, with the owners of the Workshop picking and choosing their clients.[22] While Workshops craft weapons of all types, the Head's tight regulations on guns has made them difficult to create as well as being an unpopular purchase by Fixers.[23]

The Tres Association, sometimes referred to as "The workshop Association", is in charge of managing all the Workshops of the City and evaluating any inventions created by them.[24] In order for a Workshop to sell their products, they must first be registered with the Tres Association, who will file an application with the Head, and charge taxes for the product.[25] These products, which are patented through the Head, cannot be used by other Workshops without purchasing the rights to it. If a Workshop uses another Workshop's invention without permission and official approval, they will receive a cease and desist warning and be expected to pay all profits made through the sale of the stolen patent to A Corp., with failure to pay the penalty by the third warning resulting in elimination by the Claw.[26]

As Workshops are still officially classified as Fixer Offices, they can accept more typical Fixer contracts that are unrelated to their inventions and sales.[27]

Some Offices are more than just affiliated, and are instead Associate Offices which essentially work directly on the Association's orders. Being an Associate Office comes with significant advantages, as the Association assigns jobs to the Offices rather than them having to find jobs on their own, and they get paid a stable salary.[17] Thanks to the job security, it is easier for the Fixers of the Office to have a peaceful day to day life as they don't need to deal with clients directly like a non-affiliated Office does. That said, Associate Offices do not have the ability to turn down jobs from their affiliated Association, even when the contract puts the Office at risk of being wiped out.[17]

Offices will often form partnerships with multiple other Offices to help cover for areas outside of their specialty and to assist when an accepted job is more complicated than it first appeared.[18] Partnered Offices can be called in for reinforcements or professional aid in specific areas. Beyond just partnered Offices, some Offices are sister Offices and share more information with each other than they would a partnered Office.[18] These sister Offices are normally formed by close friends, or people who had worked closely together in the past, who are now Representatives of their own respective Office, and will go to greater lengths to help each other than they would for other Offices.[18][19]

Some offer "pay for one request, get one for free" contract events to entice clients, but behind the scenes there are many technical aspects to such deals that benefit the Office more than the client, such as limiting the grade of the free contract or other aspects of the job.[12] Other Offices operate differently from most others not out of a desire to draw in clients, but out of a moral code. For example, some Offices go as far as to ban their members from killing people, and refuse contracts that would require the taking of life.[13] Others are managed differently from the typical Office, such as hereditary Offices, where ownership of the Office is passed down through a family, and its members highly value loyalty.[14]

One strict rule which is managed by both the Hana Association and the Öufi Association is that Fixers and Offices never threaten people into requesting them.[5] After completing a request, a report to the Hana Association must be made that includes the details of the request, the client's information, how the request was solved, and any other relevant information.[5] These reports are used by the Hana Association in their evaluations of Offices and Fixers and inform the grades assigned to them.[5]

Most Offices are direct affiliates of one of the Associations. Affiliated Offices typically specialize in a related field to the Association they work under, such as the Offices that monitor the deals and gambling of J Corp.'s casinos often being affiliated with the Öufi Association, or Moses's Office which specialized in detective work being affiliated with the Seven Association.[15]
Not being affiliated with an Association is seen as untrustworthy, and carries the risk of clients fearing that Office could be associated with a Syndicate.[16]

Fledgling Offices start out taking on Open Contracts, contracts that are posted by the various Associations for Fixer Offices to pick up, operating on a first-come, first-serve basis,[6] which allows the Office to start making a name for itself. As an Office gains notoriety in the industry, it becomes capable of picking up and receiving private contracts based on its Fixers' skills. Offices and the Fixers working for them may advertise and promote themselves in a variety of ways, including being featured in frequently updated magazines or catalogues, such as 'Fixers Monthly'.[7][8]

When an Office accepts a job, a contract is typically created between the client and the Office before the case can be dealt with. These contracts ensure that the client will pay for the services provided to them and that the Office will do their best to complete the job, and breaking a signed contract will not be overlooked by the Associations.[9] If a contract is not made, or never signed by one of the parties, then neither the client nor Office is required to make good on their end of the deal.[9] For contracts made between two Offices, it is typical for the Offices involved to use a notary public Office to officially certify the deal and prevent future issues.[10][11]

Many Offices attempt to have some level of uniqueness and marketability to make them stand out to potential clients, such as being made up of former Syndicate members or other, similar gimmicks.[12] Some offer "pay for one request, get one for free" contract events to entice clients, but behind the scenes there are many technical aspects to such deals that benefit the Office more than the client, such as limiting the grade of the free contract or other aspects of the job.[12]

Offices (Hangul: 사무소, sa-mu-so), rarely referred to as Fixer Offices, are businesses founded and operated by Fixers that take on various sorts of requests from clients for a price. Most Offices have a focus on combat of some kind, but there are a large variety of specializations an Office can have that range from protecting clients to gathering information to creating weapons and tools for other Fixers to use. The Associations, in particular the Hana Association which oversees all Fixer related activity in the City, manage and regulate Offices.
Offices are organized groups of Fixers that congregate to handle work together. Joining an Office is a necessity for virtually all Fixers, as it is the best way for them to receive contracts.[1] Offices are lead by a Representative, typically shortened to Office Rep, that owns the business and manages the contracts accepted by the Office and oversees the other Fixers employed there. Office sizes can greatly vary, as Offices with around a dozen members are noted to be of small size,[2] but it appears common for them to be formed by as little as three members. Fixers who prefer to work on their own can create and manage their own independent Office.[3] The majority of Offices have a dress code that all members follow in order to give a desired impression to potential clients.[4]

Offices are managed by the twelve Associations according to their specializations and areas of expertise, with the Hana Association overseeing the various facets of their work and grading the Office accordingly. Similarly to the Fixer grading system, an Office can be promoted to a higher grade or be demoted.[5]

To operate, an Office must be recognized by the Hana Association, after which it can begin taking up contracts.

Each Association is split into four Branches, one for each quarter of the City, and then further divided into six Sections, which are based on the Fixers strength and capability. Each Branch has their own uniform,[10] though each Branch still have traits among their own distinctive uniforms that match each other.

In addition to the Fixer grades, further kinds of social standing exist in Associations. Fixers working in the same region as the Associations' headquarters are stronger or more high-ranked than Fixers in different regions; because of this, occasional transfers between regions are used as a form of promotion.[10] Sections are even more so affected, with Section 1 being the highest in standing, while Section 6 is the lowest. Fixers who work their way up to Section 1 are well paid and rewarded, while Section 6 is not the luxurious life that some new Fixers assume it to be.[11] That said, getting accepted at even the lowest Section of an Association takes much more work than it does to get work at a low Grade Office.[11]

Offices and Associations
The majority of Fixers will join an Office after acquiring their Fixer License and continue to work for various Offices for the rest of their career.[7] Finding work without an Office is nearly impossible, especially for Fixers who are just starting out and have yet to build a reputation for themselves.[7] Many Offices have a specialty of some kind, with the most common being combat, but other Offices focus on protection, overseeing business deals, designing and building gear for other Fixers, and much more mundane work. Due to this diversity in Offices, any Fixer has the potential to find a place of work that suits their skill set. In reality, however, a Fixer who is just starting out cannot afford to be too selective when it comes to choosing an Office, and only after making a name for themselves is it easier to find work at a place that truly suits their own preferences.[7]

Like with Fixers themselves, Offices are overseen and regulated by the Associations and are graded on a similar scale by the Hana Association.[2] Many Offices are direct affiliates of an Association, and specialize in similar work to the Association.[8] Associate Offices, which are essentially under direct contract with a specific Association, are paid a steady salary and are tasked with taking on contracts handed to them by their associated Association. Not being affiliated with an Association in some way is seen as untrustworthy, and carries the risk of clients fearing that Office could be associated with a Syndicate.[9]

The twelve Associations of the City are essentially large scale Offices that exist in every District and are held to higher, more regulated standards than a normal Office. Each Association has a particular specialty, and take on contracts that suit their abilities, as well as make partnerships with Affiliated and Associated Offices, whom they pass many of their contracts on to.

The Hana Association, as part of their general management of Fixers, assigns grades to both Fixers and Offices based on their performance. Fixers operate on a system of meritocracy, with more capable Fixers being rewarded for their work and assigned higher grades, which then allows them to charge more money when accepting contracts and being seen as capable of taking on more dangerous work.[1] When evaluating an Office or Fixer for promotion or demotion, the Hana Association makes use of the reports submitted to them by Fixers are the completion of a job, and assesses their performance.[2] Grades are based not only on strength, but also intelligence and other important factors.[3]

Fixer are ranked on a descending 9 to 1 grade scale, with new Fixers being assigned Grade 9 by default. Higher grade Fixers are expected to be capable of dealing with higher risk level threats and take on more challenging jobs. The Hana Association can demote a Fixer's grade based on poor performance or unprofessional behavior.

Fixers (Hangul: 해결사, hae-gyeol-sa) are the handymen of the City, who can be hired for a wide range of contracts, ranging from everyday errands to active combat. Anyone becoming a Fixer requires a license from the Hana Association and from there they are free to take on any request so long as they report their performance back to the Association after the job is complete. The majority of Fixers will find themselves working as a part of an Office, a type of business owned and operated by Fixers that is overseen by the Associations. A rare few Fixers operate independently.

Fixers act as contractors that cover a wide variety of roles in society, working on commission. They often handle lines of work which are considered more dangerous or more specialized than those of average citizens, including direct combat, assassinations, or protection, as well as less violent roles such as trading information, espionage, investigative work or enforcing contracts. To some level, they may act as peacekeepers, being hired to take up jobs more specific to those that hire them. The specialization and accomplishments of Fixers in fields that a majority of citizens do not have allows them to garner great bounds of attention and popularity.

Despite the belief of Fixers being noble, many of them simply view the job as a way out of typical civilian work, such as Ishmael boarding The Pequod to obtain a Fixer license as a way to escape what she viewed as a monotonous life in the safety of a Nest, while also finding a quick way to make good money. The job is not without difficulty, however, as many Fixers face danger in their work, and are sometimes made targets of Syndicates, other Fixer Offices, and in the worst-case scenario, a Wing.

Many Fixers must go through rigorous training or augmentations, making use of peculiar and experimental technology or weapons to do their work more easily, safely and efficiently.

One of the most explored occupations of the City is that of a Fixer. Fixers are contract workers with a variety of different specialties and strengths, who can be hired for just about anything given the right pay. To become a Fixer, one must obtain a Fixer license issued by the Hana Association, which is dependent on physical fitness and requires the individual be at least 20 years of age.[15][16] Fixers are then expected to join an Office due to the difficulty of finding jobs as a no-name.[15] Offices are simply groups of Fixers banded together under a name and place to report to, usually with a relatively small member count, or even just a single member running a one-man Office. Many Fixer Offices work for one of the Associations (such as the Streetlight Office to the Zwei Association), where they are strongly bound to their orders.[18] Workshops are one specific kind of Fixer Office who deal with the crafting and selling of various tools, weapons, and armor for Fixers, though they may occasionally take on combat contracts like traditional Offices.[19] Fixers and Offices are common throughout the City, however, and are not exclusive to the Backstreets. Despite this, it is more likely that a Backstreets citizen would need to possess the fighting prowess and survival skills that often lead one down the path of Fixer.

The people of the Backstreets and the City at large are always striving to be a member of a group or to move up in the ranks. It is considered foolish to not belong to some kind of Office, Syndicate, or other, given that the weak must band together in order to survive, and individuals are often easy targets for those with bad intentions.[14]

The lowest of the low in the City are known as Rats. Rats are the "lowly gangsters" of the Backstreets who possess no real power or ability and survive on a day-by-day basis.[1] They are respected by no one, and despite traveling in groups, can hardly be considered a Syndicate.[1]

Bands of Sweepers are divided into "families", and address each other with familial or cordial terms such as brother, uncle, and neighbor. These families do not reflect literal blood relations, but are instead a collection of metaphorical labels, similar to Bloodfiend hierarchies.[12] "Mother" is a term exclusive to an individual, the one who is responsible for turning people into Sweepers. She appears to be the leader of their kind, with even the power to wage war.[12] Despite not being literal family, the Sweepers appear to harbor genuine concern and affection for one another, seeking to keep each other safe.

Sweepers have a set of rules they abide by, one of which keeps their sweeping exclusively to the Night in the Backstreets.

Sweepers never fight alone, with hordes of them always present at any given time, making them highly overwhelming foes. Sweeper's gameplan is to sweep through all the enemies with impossible numbers. Their weapons capable of turning organic matter into the same liquid they are made of, being able to absorb said liquid and heal any wounds they might have with the same liquid while also completly cleaning it.
The sweepers are also surprisingly persistent, being able to revive up to 4 times.

However, the existence of a Syndicate, Association, or Office on a particular street is said to make it more difficult for Sweepers to raid.[8]

The Sweepers' presence in the City is permitted by the Head itself, which may personally request their disposal service at times, such as when a Wing breaks a Taboo.[9] Sweepers are not actually mandated to perform exclusively at night by any kind of biological force, rather, that just happens to be their "role" in City life and a rule that they follow. Sweepers are actually capable of a variety of complicated maneuvers, including communication, intelligence, and arriving on a scene at any time of day.
Sweepers are created by their "Mother" using what they consider "food".[10] The transformation of a human being into a Sweeper involves melting into the red fluid which is considered the creatures' "body", a specially patented substance with approval of the Head.[11] This liquid is consumed by the Sweepers in order to move, sweep, and eat.[11] Thus, in order to function, Sweepers are required to refuel periodically by consuming people and melting them into more liquid.[11]

Sweepers live in dens, which may be inhabited by one family of Sweepers each.[12] While the form of these dens is unclear, they are described as having lockable doors.

Sweepers are strange beings known to inhabit the Backstreets of every District in the City, only coming out at a specific time of night to destroy anything left outdoors, "sweeping" detritus away.
Sweepers are humanoid creatures occupying the Backstreets that emerge from their nests every night from 3:14 A.M. until 4:34 A.M. in three waves,[1] during which they participate in the "Night in the Backstreets", a period of time in which no laws are applied to a populace besides Taboos from the Head and the Wing in which the said populace lives. During this time period, the Sweepers destroy anything left outside, whether it be objects or people. They absorb organic matter, human flesh in particular, and convert it to the red fluid that composes their "body", while simultaneously destroying inorganic litter. This also includes vehicles, with the exception of those recognized as residential vehicles by the City.[2] Sweepers are considered a regular and predictable component of the City, with some citizens accustomed enough to make use of their sweeping as a rudimentary disposal service, most often for crimes.[3] Sweepers also exist in the Outskirts, and are considered a particularly high threat to children wherever they roam. Sweepers may prey on, accompany, abduct, or treat children like their toys.
Due to their immense population, fighting against the Sweepers is viewed as a pointless endeavor. It is also because of these sheer numbers and organizational force that Sweepers are considered as much of a threat as they are.[6] Even if a Sweeper dies, the crowd will continue to march on and sweep up what lies ahead of them, including the fresh corpse of their fellow Sweeper.[1] Fortunately, the three waves of Sweepers each approach at predictable times, and someone can confidently consider themselves safe after surviving all three.[1] This march is described as an eighty minute sweep from one edge of a Nest to another, without rest.

The Backstreets are known for having a special, lawless time period known as the "Night in the Backstreets" (뒷골목의 밤, Dwitgolmogui bam). The Night in the Backstreets is a regular event which takes place every night from 3:13 A.M. to 4:34 A.M., without fail.
During this 81 minute period, anything goes, and no one is held responsible for the crimes committed within this time span.[12] Recording anything during the Night in the Backstreets is strictly forbidden, meaning that eyewitness testimony is the only permissible account of events. Yet, it is said that anyone who who tries to report on illegal activity taking place during this period will be targeted and silenced by the Claw.[13] The Night in the Backstreets can be considered an easy way for citizens to fulfill the grudges they hold against one another, and a routine perpetrator of the violence and danger the Backstreets are characterized by. It is known to be brutal, appalling, and barbaric, even for the City.
Sweepers are a consistent commodity of the Night in the Backstreets. These humans-turned-creature appear in three waves and relentlessly march from one end of a District's Backstreets to the other, sweeping up anything and everything, alive or dead, within their reach. This makes them popular assistants in crime, given that disposing of corpses or weapons is as easy as leaving them outside during the early hours of the morning. The only way to confidently avoid the Sweepers' advance is to stay indoors until the final wave has passed.

In general, it is a poor idea for citizens of the Backstreets to find themselves out and about during nighttime.

The Backstreets are the considerably less desirable half of each District, characterized as slums outside of the Wings' protection and the antithesis to the Nests. The Backstreets are dangerous, hectic, and generally unkempt, and its citizens live precarious lives under the constant threat of death. While there are some who may benefit from the cruel, somewhat barbarous nature of the Backstreets, it would be nigh-impossible to find a resident who actively enjoys the lifestyle.

Districts aren't split evenly into Nest and Backstreets, rather, the Backstreets are said to stretch all over the City in a vein-like distribution. Like the Nests, the Backstreets of each District vary in culture and architecture. The culture of the Backstreets (which is not necessarily the same as their respective District's Nest) may differ dramatically from place to place, such as District 23's Backstreets' penchant for cannibalism. Overall, the Backstreets are said to function under their own set of rules and ideas.

Given that the Backstreets are defined only by their existence outside of the Wings' care, they are not always literal streets between buildings befitting of their name. Instead, they may take other forms akin to the murky wetlands of District 21. Backstreets' roads are generally known to be dangerous and roundabout, but carry the advantage of shortcuts and lack of vehicular traffic.

Depending on factors such as strength, wealth, or the District, some may have an easier day-to-day life than others. Additionally, the Backstreets still supply access to the various amenities that anyone would need, restaurants, clothing stores... Technology is also available, while greatly varied depending on what one can afford. The quality and advancement of Backstreets technology is inconsistent and scattered throughout, ranging from rudimentary to high-tech