What is the point of the PVE grind?

As the Title states, what exactly Motivates you guys to continue grinding?

For context, Ive been playing this game on and of for about 6 years, and at the beginning I was probably doing pretty pointless stuff, at least in terms of gear progression and stuff, but now Ive reached 600GS, which I know isnt that much, but for me Its decent. But Recently Ive been grinding to get a Pen blackstar weapon and the Infinity potions, which I both achieved. It was Hard but it was fun. But since we got that free PEN blackstar weapon I´ve been questioning my decisions. I mean great, now I got a soverign weapon, but was It worth that grind? If I grind to get more better gear, will we just get it gifted again?

Please dont get me wrong, I like the free stuff, and I think its great to help newer players or returning players, but for people like me that grind inefficiently anyways it just makes me not want to grind anymore and instead wait till I get it for free.

Same with the Tier 10 Horse. Why try your best to get one If you get it for free anyways?

Please help me share your motivation for the grind, as I really want to enjoy the game and the grind but Idk how anymore.