there was a bad file ..
https://3ds.guide/installing-arm9loaderhax
download this again
https://github.com/Plailect/SafeA9LHInstaller/releases/latest
and repeat this step
6.Copy the contents of the SafeA9LHInstaller .7z to the root of your SD card
Oh my god, I can't believe this was it... the developer pushed a new release just an hour ago, and I have been doing this for around 3 hours. I had an older version by just hours, lol!
Thank you so much for pointing this out! I would've never have thought that was the issue!
This problem can be considered solved for me, at least. Thank you everyone for your kind help!