Well, it's like, it's not something that needs to be done. It's required for nothing. It's basically a trophy piece. Nobody is being forced to do it. Not doing it won't have any negative impact in your gaming experience at all. Yet, people are throwing out words like "unacceptable" and "insane" and threatening to unsub over this quest. Personally, I feel like this brand of "feedback" is just unhelpful. The only thing it showcases is how thin skinned the playerbase is.

Further, the grind really is only as painful as you choose to make it. Choosing to grind hunts or Alex all day, every day, is also optional. You can do the weapon at as intense, or leisurely of a pace as you like. You could honestly do nothing but your beast dailies every day, and literally mark on your calendar the exact day you'll get your relic.