There's a difference between MMORPGs being about grinds and MMORPGs having grinds.
They haven't been about grinds since WoW came out. WoW was a literal game changer for the genre.
But they can still have grinds. This game is filled with grinds already for those interested. Just about every content type has some sort of grind spelled out in the Achievements list.
As someone who is demanding grinds, have you completed every single one of those? Or are you picking and choosing what grinds you'll do?
If you're not doing them all, then maybe you shouldn't be playing a MMORPG.
I don't agree with Atelier. Enough players enjoy the exploration zones that it would be good to see another one added for those players.
I also don't agree with you. Someone shouldn't have to enjoy grinds to play a MMORPG. WoW proved that almost 2 decades ago.
If you genuinely want a game that only has that old school MMORPG grind then OSRS is calling you.
https://oldschool.runescape.com/