[OneOfaKind]

So, I eventually got the trunk open by wedging something small between the seal and the lid for visibility. I then used a slim 10mm wrench to open the 2 10mm bolts that were constraining the hook half of the lock onto the trunk lid. It was extremely simple as the bolts came loose really fast.

The cables were fine and not popped nor wrecked! The little C-clip that held both cables onto the lock shaft was missing. Therefore, both cables had slid off.

PLEASE DO NOT DRILL HOLES IN YOUR CAR BECAUSE IT'S NOT NECESSARY.

I FOUND THE ALTERNATIVE BY SEARCHING AND FINDING SOMEONE ELSE WHO DID THIS AS I DESCRIBED.