But I would agree in the sense that the highest purpose of mercy from God is to make possible the restoration of a right relationship. The movement of spirit which does that is called repentance.
I think maybe it could be likened to untying a knotted cord. You need some space in which to do it. That space is like mercy. Once it’s untied you don’t need that much space for the untied cord.
While we are alive, Christ is perfect mercy.
At the moment of our death, Christ is perfect justice.
(So that repentance is our thing to deal with.)