@confusion
Before you do another thing I encourage you to do this one thing so you'll have a way to fix or perform a fresh installation.
Download the .iso of Linux Mint 22 or some other Linux distro (Debian 12). You can use balena etcher or ventoy to put it on your usb thumb drive.
That way if things take a turn like this or similar in the future you'll have a plan.
Set up Timeshift as well, it's saved many of us from having to perform fresh installations and the like.
Linux Mint is an elegant, easy to use, up to date and comfortable desktop operating system.
www.linuxmint.com
If you need help with Timeshift start another thread and we'd be happy to help.