So rumor is, merits. Multiple thousands. Rumor is always right these days, so let me say this right now.
There is not even 1% chance I will ever even consider doing this content if you think I'm going to an npc 75 merits at a time for 5000 merits per piece.
Straight up no.
There is already a very low chance I'll bother regardless but 75 merits at a time. Hell no.
Using merits is fine, I don't have any issue with that. The issue I will have is with how they are held/collected.