Razorboy Territory

A Sanctuary of Technological Faith

In the southeastern quadrant of Red Level, between the bustling Sin Street and the industrial Fuller Street, lies a territory unlike any other in Horizon City. The Razorboy Territory represents a unique fusion of religious fervor and technological extremism, where body modification is considered sacred and cloning is rejected as an abomination. This area, spanning from Knife Street in the north to Razor Street in the south, serves as both a sanctuary for its residents and a warning to outsiders about the consequences of crossing its defenders.

Physical Environment

The Razorboy Territory's physical appearance reflects its inhabitants' beliefs and practices:

• Boundary Markers: Crucified enemies (primarily Sinners) displayed at territory edges as warnings
• Street Aesthetics: Modified infrastructure incorporating religious symbols alongside cybernetic imagery
• Modification Clinics: Higher concentration of cybernetic enhancement facilities than anywhere else in Red
• Security Measures: Visible patrols and surveillance systems, especially near the Digital Jesus Church
• Astro Chicken Restaurants: Clean, well-maintained establishments serving as community hubs
• Residential Areas: More orderly than typical Red Level housing, with communal living arrangements common

Unlike the chaotic, crime-ridden streets typical of Red Level, the Razorboy Territory maintains a strange order born of religious discipline and shared purpose. Streets are cleaner, buildings better maintained, and public spaces more functional than in neighboring areas, though still far below the standards of Gold or Green levels.

Social Dynamics

Life in Razorboy Territory is governed by a strict code of conduct derived from the teachings of Digital Jesus:

• Body Sanctity: Residents are encouraged (sometimes required) to enhance their bodies through cybernetic or genetic modifications
• Anti-Cloning Stance: Using cloning technology is considered a serious transgression
• Protection of Innocents: Harming children is strictly forbidden, unlike in Sinner territory
• Religious Observance: Regular attendance at Digital Jesus Church services is expected
• Gender Dynamics: Following the rise of the Razorgirls, male residents face increasing scrutiny and restrictions

The territory operates as a theocratic micro-society, with gang leadership serving as both religious and civil authorities. Disputes are settled according to interpretations of Digital Jesus's teachings, and serious infractions may result in exile or execution (often by crucifixion).

Economic Activity

The Razorboy Territory has developed its own economic ecosystem:

• Astro Chicken Franchise: The primary legitimate business, providing employment and serving as a front for gang operations
• Modification Economy: Clinics offering cybernetic and genetic enhancements form the backbone of the local economy
• Protection Services: Businesses pay for security rather than traditional "protection" rackets
• Communal Resources: Food, housing, and basic necessities are often shared among members
• Black Market: Specialized trade in enhancement technologies not available elsewhere in Horizon City

Unlike other gang territories that rely primarily on illegal activities, the Razorboys have developed a more sophisticated economic model that blends legitimate business with specialized black market operations, creating greater stability for residents.

Evolution to Razorgirls

The territory underwent a significant transformation when the Razorboys evolved into the female-only Razorgirls under Kitty and Tricia's leadership. This change manifested in several ways:

• Male Exclusion: Men were systematically removed from positions of power
• Corporate Strategy: Greater focus on infiltrating Horizon City power structures
• Worship Evolution: Shift from Digital Jesus to Akiko Takahashi as the primary deity
• Business Expansion: Astro Chicken grew from a single location to over twenty-three restaurants

This evolution represented not just a change in leadership but a fundamental shift in ideology and strategy, moving from street-level resistance to sophisticated corporate infiltration while maintaining the territory's distinctive religious character.

Relationship with Surrounding Areas

The Razorboy Territory exists in a state of constant tension with neighboring areas:

• Northern Boundary (Knife Street): Active conflict zone with Sinners
• Western Boundary (Sin Street): Heavily fortified against Sinner incursions
• Eastern Boundary (Fuller Street): More permeable, with some trade and movement
• Southern Boundary (Razor Street): Generally stable, bordering less organized areas

These boundaries are not just physical demarcations but ideological frontiers, with the Razorboys viewing themselves as defenders of a righteous way of life against the corruption and immorality of the surrounding areas, particularly the Sinners to the north and west.

Cultural Significance

To Horizon City as a whole, the Razorboy Territory represents the strange alchemy that can occur when technology, religion, and gang culture combine. It serves as both a cautionary tale about religious extremism and a fascinating example of how alternative social structures can emerge in the cracks of the corporate-dominated city.

For its residents, the territory offers something rare in Red Level: purpose, community, and the promise of transcendence through technology. Whether manipulated by Benjiro Takahashi or genuinely finding meaning in their beliefs, those who call the Razorboy Territory home have created a distinctive subculture that challenges the assumptions of Horizon City's stratified society.